Chapter: What is incumbent upon the reader and bearer of the Qur’an with respect to its reverence and sanctity

Al-Tirmidhī the Sage, Abū ʿAbd Allāh, says in Nawādir al-Uṣūl:
“Among the Qur’an’s sanctity is that no one touch it save in a state of ritual purity. Among its sanctity is that it be recited while one is pure. Among its sanctity is that the reciter cleanse his teeth with a siwāk and refresh his breath, for the mouth is the Qur’an’s pathway.

Yazīd ibn Abī Mālik said:
‘Your mouths are pathways for the Qur’an; therefore purify and cleanse them as best you can.’

Among its sanctity is that the reciter dress himself properly—just as he would were he about to enter upon a ruler—for he is engaged in intimate audience. Among its sanctity is that he face the qiblah while reciting. Abū al-ʿĀliyah, whenever he wished to recite, would wrap a turban around his head, don his cloak, and face the qiblah.

Among its sanctity is that he rinse his mouth whenever he clears his throat. Shuʿbah narrated from Abū Ḥamzah, from Ibn ʿAbbās, that a basin stood before him; whenever he expectorated he rinsed his mouth, then resumed his remembrance, and every time he cleared his throat he rinsed again.

Among its sanctity is that, when he yawns, he should refrain from recitation, for while reciting he is addressing and confiding in his Lord, whereas yawning is from Satan. Mujāhid said, ‘If you yawn while reciting the Qur’an, stop out of reverence until the yawn passes.’ ʿIkrimah said the same, intending thereby to show veneration for the Qur’an.

Among its sanctity is to seek refuge with Allah from the accursed Satan at the start of the recitation, and to pronounce ‘In the name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Ever-Merciful’ whether he begins from the opening of a sūrah or from wherever he has reached.

Among its sanctity is that, once he begins, he not interrupt the recitation now and again with human speech unless necessity requires it. Among its sanctity is that he retire with his recitation so that no one interrupts him and forces him to mingle the Qur’an with his reply; for if he does so, the protective force of the istiʿādhah with which he began is lifted.

Among its sanctity is that he be seen reciting with composure, measured pacing, and deliberate tarteel. Among its sanctity is that he apply his mind and understanding so that he may comprehend what is being addressed to him.

Among its sanctity is that, when he comes upon a verse of promise, he turn eagerly to Allah Most High and ask of His bounty; and when he comes upon a verse of threat, he seek refuge in Allah from it. Among its sanctity is that he pause at the parables and envision them. Among its sanctity is that he seek out its wonders and subtleties.

Among its sanctity is that he give every letter its full due of articulation until the words are perfectly pronounced—for each letter earns ten good deeds.

Among its sanctity is that, when his recitation is finished, he affirm his Lord’s truthfulness and testify that the message has been conveyed