Q is for Quran- Rules for Reading and handling the Holy Quran

As part of the Islamic Manners Series, we are teaching our children the Etiquettes and Rules of Handling the Holy Quran. We also talk about some of the essential manners like ‘reading the Quran without Wudhu’ and the proper way to read.

Children need to be taught that the Holy Quran is not an ordinary book and that you cannot handle it as you like.

Related: If you are trying to teach your child to read the Holy Quran, see this post about How to teach them the Quran with Love. 

While growing my children, I have come across some common behavior when it comes to Quran. When they see their mom or family member reading the Quran, they want to read it too. They will snatch your book or demand that they want it. The fascination is natural because when they see how you dress or sit while handling the Quran, they know there is something special about this book.

They will carry the book off after pulling it out (standing on a stool on top of a chair!!) and try to read even though they don’t know how to read yet. 😀 They may be reciting from memory the little Surahs they know.

For this reason, it is important that you sit them down and explain that the Holy Quran is unlike any book. You will need to remind them every time how to handle it, the proper way to sit and read the Quran and also where and how to place it.

By teaching the etiquettes to handling the Quran, we want to create a positive influence on them . We don’t want to make them feel like it is haram (forbidden) for them to touch it! It is not.

This post is part of the A-Z of Akhlaaq- Islamic Manners for Children Series. We did this series as part of Ramadan for Kids.

The manners of reading and handling the Holy Quran

Here are a few things to talk about:

• Wudhu (ablution) is necessary when you touch or read from the Quran. It is not necessary when reciting from memory but recommended that you be in a state of wudhu.
• Dress appropriately while reading. Boys wear a cap and girls wear a hijab.
• Be quiet when the Quran is being read. It is the word of God. 
• Listen attentively – When someone is reciting, give attention. It isn’t enough that you are quiet. You must listen to it or move out from the room so that you don’t disturb the reader.
• Start with ‘Tauz; and ‘Tasmia’. Tauz is (aoodhubillahi minashaytan nir rajeem) and Tasmia means ‘bismillah arrahman nirraheem’ 
• End reading the Quran with Saddaqallahul Adheem. (Which means: Allah has spoken the truth). 
• Read in a good voice with proper Tajweed. Don’t sing or cry! Mentioned in Quran- This is the reason we learn the proper rules (tajweed) of Quran. You should stop where you have to stop, don’t read so fast that no-one understands what is being said. Read in such a way that even those who don’t know the verses can hear and understand the words. (Not necessarily understanding the meaning but knowing what words are said.)
• Where to place the Quran. Don’t keep just anywhere; return it to its place. Don’t place on floor or where it can fall or on an unclean surface. Place on a shelf or a table. You can also use a Quran Rack (Rehal) or even a pillow/cushion.
• Always treat it with respect and love. It is the Book of God.
• Don’t scribble in it – No, you may not write the date or doodle around the edges.
• It is not an ordinary book – It is the Book of God. You should keep it on a Quran Rack, a table or a pillow.
• Sit properly while reading it. It is permissible to lie or recline (according to some madh’habs -check your’s) but we need to teach our children that they cannot lie on their belly while reading the Quran. 🙂

These are just some of the things that I talked about with my children. You can choose according to your child’s age and understanding what needs to be talked about.

Related:

• You can read this article about 10 etiquettes of handling the Quran
• Another excellent article is this about Reading the Quran
• You may like this Quran STEM toy review.
• Islamic Toys and Gifts many of which are Quran based.
• Age appropriate ways to teach Salah.