Manners of the Heart

A. Understanding of the origin of the words

This is an indication to the greatness of the words being read, and the bounty of Allah; Glorified is He, to His creation when He addressed His creation with these words.

B. Putting into the heart the understanding that these are not the words of man. 

Through this the reader should think about the characteristics of Allah the Exalted. 

C. Presence of the heart while reading.

Through this the reader should throw away other thoughts while reading the Qur’an.

D. Pondering the meaning. 

There is less reward in reciting the Qur'an without understanding the meaning.  The Qur'an was revealed for guidance and this can be achieved through recitation accompanied with pondering. 

E. Understanding the meaning. 

This means interacting and reacting to every verse according to what is proper for it. 

F.  Individualization 

This means that the reader feels that every message in the Qur’an is meant especially for him personally.

External Manners for reading the Qur’an

• Purity of body and clothes and place.
• Using sawak.
• Facing the Qiblah.
• Seeking refuge from rejected Satan and reading the basmalah.
• Not reading when yawning.
• Avoiding cutting off reading to talk with people.
• Stopping at a verse of warning and seeking protection with Allah, and stopping at a verse of mercy and asking The Merciful for His Bounty.
• Humbleness and crying when reading.

Imam An-Nawwawi may Allah be Merciful to him said: Crying when reading the Qur’an is a characteristic of those who know Allah (know Him through His names and Characteristics) and the feelings of the righteous.