In the sacred journey of reciting the Quran, the etiquettes and rules play a crucial role. Two fundamental aspects, Istizah and ALBasmalah, deserve special attention. Let’s delve into the intricacies of these rules that adorn the commencement of our Quranic reading.
ENROLL NOW: Tajweed Course for Adults
Istizah: Seeking Protection
Before immersing ourselves in the divine verses of the Quran, we invoke the protection of Allah through ALIstizah. This ritual act is a shield against the whispers of the rejected Shaitan, ensuring our connection with the Quran remains pure and untarnished.
When to Recite ALIstizah: Manners ad Considerations
Silent Reading:
- During prayer.
- When reading alone or silently.
- In a Quran class, if you aren’t the first reader.
Loud Reading:
- When others are listening.
- In a Quran class, if you are the first reader, and others will follow silently.
Notes on Reciting ALIstizah:
- No need to repeat if interrupted by coughing, sneezing, or Quran-related discussions.
- Repeat ALIstizah if interrupted by non-Quranic activities.
ALBasmalah: In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
AL Basmalah Significance:
Reciting “In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful” marks the commencement of most Surahs in the Quran. However, Surah التوبه (Al-Tawbah) is an exception, given its content instructing Muslims to fight non-believers.
Ways of Reciting AL Basmalah: Seeking Refuge at Surah Beginnings
Separation:
- Cutting all three from each other.meaning saying seeking refuge, stopping.saying AL Basmalah, stopping. then starting the. Surah
Conjoined Pronunciation:
- Joining all three with each other. meaning saying seeking refuge, saying AL Basmalah, then starting the Surah. all in one breath without stopping.
Sequential Start:
- Joining the Basmalah with the beginning of the Surah. this means saying seeking refuge, stopping then saying AL Basmalah and beginning the Surah in one breath .
Conjoined Seeking Refuge with AL Basmalah:
- Joining the seeking refuge with AL Basmalah. This means we will say seeking refuge and AL Basmalah in one breath, then stooping and saying the beginning of the Surah.
AL Basmalah Between Two Surahs:
We can read ALBasmalah between any Two Surahs except between Surah Al-Anfal and ALTawba, there are three ways of saying ALBasmalah between Two Surahs, and one way is not allowed.
1-Separating all of them,:
The reader finishes the Surah, stops and takes his breath then reads ALBasmalah, stops, and takes a breath then reads the beginning of the next Surah.
2-Joining all of them:
The reader ends the Surah, joining the last word(take care of the vowels) with the Basmalah then joins the Basmalah with the beginning of the next Surah.
3-Joining ALBasmalah with the beginning of the Surah:
the reader will finish the Surah, stop and take his breath, and read ALBasmalah and join it with the beginning of the next Surah.
Notes on AL Basmalah:
there is a way that is not allowed, Join the end of the Surah with the Basmalah, this is an incorrect way because the Basmalah is for the beginning of the Surahs, not the end, this way will lead the listener to imagine that the Basmalah is the last ayah of the Surah.
The three ways of joining Surah Anfaal with Surah Tauba:
1-Separate the end of Surah AL Anfaal from the beginning of Surah AL Tauba by taking a breath.
2-Join the end of Surah AL Anfaal from the beginning of Surah AL Tauba and apply the rule of Iqlaab.
3-Separate the end of Surah AL Anfaal from the beginning of Surah AL Tauba without taking a breath.
Manners of Saying AL Basmlah and ALIStazah:
- If you start reading from the middle of the Surah you have to choose to read AL Basmlah or ALIStazah, it depends on the meaning.
- if you start an Ayah that speaks about Allah, His name, His attributes, the name of the Prophet Mohammad( peace and blessings be upon him), or the believers you should recite Basmalah to separate between ALIstazah and the Ayah.
- If you start with an Ayah that speaks about shaitan or hellfire, you should recite ALIstazah.
Conclusion
Mastering Istizah and AL Basmalah is not just about adhering to rituals; it’s about establishing a spiritual connection with the Quran. As we embark on this sacred journey, may these rules become a beacon, guiding us through the divine verses with reverence and understanding.