Etiquette of reading the Quran: the adab of the mushaf
The etiquette (adab) of reading the Quran is about the heart as much as the hands: intention and reflection, cleanliness and a measured voice, listening in silence when it is recited, and treating the physical mushaf with honour. Here are the main points, before, during and after reading, with their evidence.
Last updated: 3 October 2026
Before you read
| Etiquette | Details |
|---|---|
| Sincere intention | Read for Allah, to understand and act, not to show off. |
| Wudu | Required by most scholars to touch the mushaf; recommended for reading by heart. See How to perform wudu. |
| A clean place | Read in a clean setting; many face the qiblah and sit with calm and respect. |
| Clean mouth | Using the siwak or brushing the teeth before reciting was the practice of the early Muslims. |
| Isti‘adhah and basmalah | Seek refuge in Allah before reading, and say the basmalah at the start of a surah. See How to start reciting. |
The question of reading without wudu has its own guide: reading Quran without wudu.
While you read
| Etiquette | Details |
|---|---|
| Recite with tarteel | Read slowly and clearly, giving each letter its right. See Tarteel. |
| Beautify your voice | “Beautify the Quran with your voices” (Sunan Abi Dawud 1468, sahih). See Recite beautifully. |
| Reflect | Pause on verses of mercy to ask for it and verses of warning to seek refuge, as the Prophet ﷺ did in night prayer (Sahih Muslim 772). |
| Prostrate at the sajdah verses | Make the prostration of recitation at the fifteen marked places. See Sajdah in the Quran. |
| Do not interrupt it for idle talk | If you must speak, stop, then restart with the isti‘adhah. |
When the Quran is recited to you
وَإِذَا قُرِئَ ٱلْقُرْءَانُ فَٱسْتَمِعُوا۟ لَهُۥ وَأَنصِتُوا۟ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ ﴿٢٠٤﴾
Turn off background noise, stop conversations and give the recitation your attention, whether in salah, at a gathering or from a recording.
Caring for the mushaf
- Keep it in a clean, raised place, such as a shelf, not on the floor.
- Do not place other books or objects on top of it.
- Do not take it into the toilet.
- Hold it with respect; many people kiss it or place it on a stand (rehal) when reading.
- Keep worn copies safe until they can be repaired or disposed of respectfully.
When a copy is too worn to use, see how to dispose of an old Quran.
The adab of the learner
The Prophet ﷺ said: “The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it” (Sahih al-Bukhari 5027). Learning with patience, respecting the teacher and acting on what you learn are part of the adab too. Teaching children this etiquette early is one of the gentlest ways to build love for the Quran; see how to teach Quran to your child at home. Our Islamic studies lessons cover the adab of the Quran alongside salah and wudu.
Frequently asked questions
Can I read the Quran without wudu?
Reading from memory without wudu is allowed. Touching the mushaf without wudu is not allowed according to the majority of scholars. See our full guide to reading the Quran without wudu.
Can a woman on her period read the Quran?
Scholars differ. Many allow reading from memory or from a phone or device, without touching the mushaf, especially for teaching, revision and du‘a. Follow the view of the scholars you trust.
Is it disrespectful to read the Quran on a phone?
No. Reading from an app is widely accepted. The phone is not treated as a mushaf, so most scholars do not require wudu to hold it, though many keep wudu anyway.
Learn the Quran with its adab
Three free one-to-one lessons in UK time, for children and adults.