(3) Qira-at (Recitation of the Holy Quran)

1. Qira-at means ‘pronouncing each and every letter from its correct place of origin so that each letter is quite distinct from every other letter.’ 

(‘Alamgiri, V1, P69)

2. Even when reciting in low volume, it is necessary for the reciter to hear his voice of recitation. 

(Ghunya-tul-Mustamli, P271)

3. If the letters are pronounced correctly, but not loud enough for the reciter to hear himself (and there is no obstruction such as noise or the problem of hard of hearing either), the Salah will not be valid in this case.

(‘Alamgiri, V1, P69)

4. Although it is necessary for the reciter to listen to the voice of recitation himself, the sound should not reach others in Sirri Salah (the Salah in which recitation is done in low volume). Similarly, listening to the voice of recitation while reciting Tasbi at etc. is also necessary.

5. Likewise, whatever is to be recited or said even other than Salah, it must be recited or said in such a loud voice that the reciter or speaker could hear himself; for example, giving a divorce, freeing a slave or mentioning the name of Allah ! when slaughtering an animal. In all these cases, the words must be said loud enough for the reciter to hear. (ibid) The same should be kept in mind when reciting Durud Sharif and other Awrads.

6. To recite at least one Ayah in the first two Rak’at of a Far Salah, every Rak’at of Witr, Sunan and Nawafil Salah is Far for the Imam as well as the Munfarid. 

(Maraqil falah ma’ Hashiya-tu-Tahtawi, P226)

7. A Muqtadi is not allowed to do Qira-at in (alah, neither Sura-e-Fati ah nor any other Ayah; neither in a Sirri Salah nor in a Jahri (alah. The Qira-at of the Imam is sufficient for the Muqtadi. 

(Maraqil falah ma’ Hashiya-tut-tahtawi, P227)

8. If someone did not do Qira-at in any Rak’at of Far Salah or did Qira-at only in one Rak’at, his (alah would be invalid. 

(‘Alamgiri, V1, P69)

9. One should recite the Quran slowly in Far Salah and, at a medium pace, in Tarawi . Fast recitation in Nawafil of the night is permissible, however, the words should be clearly understandable, i.e. the Maddat should be pronounced with at least the minimum degree of length set by Qurra, otherwise, it is aram, because we have been commanded to recite the Quran with Tartil (slowly). 

(Durr-e-Mukhtar, Rad-dul-Muhtar, V1, P363)

These days, most of the uffa4 recite in such a way that not to speak of maintaining the length of Mad; one cannotunderstand any word except they do not pronounce the letters properly, they even miss out words. Even worse, they boast amongst others about their speed of recitation. Reciting the Quran in such a manner is strictly aram. 

(Bahar-e-Shari’at, V3, P86-87, Madina-tul-Murshid, Bareilly Sharif)

Warning!
Just a little practice is not enough for the one unable to pronounce letters correctly; he must practice hard day and night. If such a person can offer Salah led by the Imam reciting correctly, it is Far for him to do so, or he must recite only such Ayahs that he can recite correctly. If both the aforementioned cases are impossible, his own Salah will be valid during his learning period. Regretfully, these days a lot of people have this shortcoming. They do not know how to recite the Quran correctly and do not try to learn either. Remember, this ruins Salah. 

(MulakhkhaG az Bahar-e-Shari’at, Part3, P116)

If someone could not correct his pronunciation in spite of making every possible effort day and night (as some people are unable to pronounce the letters properly) he must keep practicing day and night, in this case, he will be considered excused during his learning-period. His own Salah will be valid but he cannot lead the (alah of those who can recite correctly, however, during his learning period, he can lead the Salah of those who cannot correctly pronounce such letters that he is also unable to pronounce correctly. But if he does not make any effort at all, so even his own Salah will not be valid, how can others’ Salah be valid under his Imamat.

(Makhuz az Fatawa-e-Razaviyyah, V6, P254, Raza Foundation, Lahore)

Madrasa-tul-Madinah

Dear Islamic brothers! You may have realised the importance of Qira-at. Indeed, extremely unfortunate is the Muslim who does not learn correct recitation of the Holy Quran. Numerous Madaris by the name of ‘Madrasa-tul-Madinah’ have been established by Dawat-e-Islami, the global, nonpolitical, religious movement of the Quran and Sunnah. In these Madaris, girls and boys are taught if4 and Na4irah Quran free of cost.

Moreover, the correct pronunciations of letters as well as Sunnahs are taught to the adults usually after Sala-tul-‘Isha in Masajid. Would that everyone starts teaching and learning the Holy Quran in their homes! Would that every such Islamic brother able enough to recite the Quran correctly starts teaching other Islamic brothers! Likewise, the Islamic sisters who can recite correctly should teach others and those who cannot recite properly should learn from them.Quranic teachings will prevail everywhere and those learning and teaching will earn great Šawab,