How to Start Reading Quran: A Beginner's Complete Guide
The Holy Quran is the word of Allah revealed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ through Angel Jibreel (Gabriel). Reading and understanding the Quran is one of the most rewarding acts of worship in Islam. This guide will help beginners start their Quran reading journey.
Why Read the Quran?
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: "The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it." (Sahih Bukhari 5027)
- Spiritual reward: Every letter earns 10 hasanat (good deeds)
- Guidance: The Quran is the ultimate guide for life
- Healing: Allah calls it "a healing for what is in the hearts" (10:57)
- Intercession: The Quran will intercede for its reader on Judgment Day
Step 1: Learn the Arabic Alphabet
The Quran is in Arabic. Start by learning the 28 Arabic letters:
- Learn to recognize each letter in its different forms (beginning, middle, end)
- Practice connecting letters to form words
- Use apps like Muslim Now to see Arabic text alongside translations
Step 2: Learn Basic Tajweed
Tajweed is the set of rules for proper Quran pronunciation. Key rules include:
- Makharij: Points of articulation for each letter
- Ghunnah: Nasal sounds (noon and meem)
- Madd: Elongation of vowels
- Qalqalah: Echo/bounce sounds for certain letters
💡 Tip: Listen to renowned reciters like Mishary Rashid Alafasy or Abdul Rahman Sudais while following along with the text. Muslim Now includes audio recitations from these reciters.
Step 3: Start with Short Surahs
Begin with the shorter surahs at the end of the Quran (Juz 30):
- Al-Fatihah (The Opening) - 7 verses - recited in every prayer
- Al-Ikhlas (Sincerity) - 4 verses - equal to 1/3 of the Quran in reward
- Al-Falaq (The Dawn) - 5 verses
- An-Nas (Mankind) - 6 verses
- Al-Kawthar (Abundance) - 3 verses - shortest surah
Step 4: Read with Translation
Understanding what you read is crucial. Choose a translation in your language:
- English: Sahih International (most accurate)
- Urdu: Jalandhry (most popular)
- Hindi: Available in Muslim Now app
- Turkish: Diyanet translation
- German: Available for German-speaking Muslims
- Indonesian & Malay: Basmeih and Indonesian translations
Muslim Now provides all 8 translations simultaneously, so you can compare meanings across languages.
Step 5: Create a Reading Plan
📖 30-Day Quran Completion Plan
The Quran has 30 Juz (parts). Read 1 Juz per day to complete in one month:
- Morning: Read 10 pages after Fajr prayer
- Afternoon: Read 5 pages after Dhuhr
- Evening: Read 5 pages after Maghrib
- Total: ~20 pages per day = 1 Juz
📖 1-Year Easy Plan (for beginners)
Read just 1-2 pages per day:
- Daily: 1-2 pages after any prayer
- Weekly: ~10-14 pages
- Monthly: ~1 Juz
- Yearly: Complete Quran in ~12 months
Best Quran Reciters to Listen To
- Mishary Rashid Alafasy - Clear, beautiful, slow recitation (best for beginners)
- Abdul Rahman Sudais - Imam of Masjid al-Haram, powerful recitation
- Abu Bakr Ash-Shatri - Melodic and soothing voice
- Abdul Basit Abdul Samad - Classic Egyptian style
- Maher Al-Muaiqly - Emotional and moving
Best Quran Reading App
Muslim Now provides the perfect Quran reading experience:
- Beautiful Quran page design - cream/beige background like a real Quran
- Audio recitation from Alafasy, Sudais, and Shatri
- 8 language translations displayed simultaneously
- Background MP3 player - listen while doing other tasks
- Reading progress tracking - continue where you left off
- Offline access - read without internet
- Ad-free - no distractions during reading