How to Read The Quran Better
Do you aspire to read The Quran with a smooth, rhythmic flow? If you find that your recitation of The Quran is choppy and slow after you’ve learned how to read Arabic and the rules associated with recitation (tajweed), then do the following to improve your Quranic reading:
1. Learn High Frequency Words
The Quran consists of several oft-repeated words. Practice reading them until they become sight words to you; so that when you see them on a page, you are not trying to sound them out. Word Flow by Learning Roots is a great product with 92 high frequency word flashcards to help accelerate the reading of The Quran. More popular, is the book 80% of Qur’anic Words – a classified word lists for easy memorization.
2. Use the Coloured-Coded Tajweed Mushaf
If you need help with your tajweed, then use a book that has the colour aids representing the rules of Quran recitation. Instead of thinking (and thus stuttering) on what rule needs to be applied, the colours tell you what to do! I learned tajweed this way; and after much practice, I can now easily read The Quran without a colour-coded mushaf. With lots of reading practice, the rules will become second nature to you :)
3. Slow Down
Seriously. If you want to read faster you have to be willing to slow down and perfect your reading first. If you’re trying to plow through verses quickly, then expect to falter much until you’ve mastered Quranic reading. Remember, it’s not a race! Take your time and give each letter its due right.
4. Review Letters
Go back to the basics. Those 28 letters are key to your reading success. Review how they are pronounced. Study their forms. Use The Six Cards to practice reading letters with short vowels and tanween.
5. Memorize Oft-Repeated Verses or a Few Short Chapters
Not only do many words in The Quran repeat, but many verses are repeated often as well. Memorize them, as this will help you read better because the words are familiar to you. Also, any surah you commit to memory will make reading easier.
6. Listen to The Quran
Listen and follow with your eyes. Listen and repeat. The slower the reciter, the better.
7. Look Ahead
If you’re reading is moderately good but you want your flow to improve even more, then look ahead. This is something I always do while reading The Quran. I’m reciting one word but my eyes are already on the next word so that I know if I need to connect the two words or not. If that sounds difficult, then try it initially while holding a madd. This connection (especially at the end of a line) helps drastically with reading flow.
8. Practice. Practice. Practice.
Then practice some more. There’s no escaping it. Practice makes Progress. It’s the only way you can improve your reading skills.
What about a teacher?
If you want to improve your recitation and read The Quran faster, you have to be willing to put in the time and effort by practicing. Simply having a teacher (who may have taught you how to read) does not guarantee that you will have a beautiful, continuous flow. Also, your teacher is not always with you. The expectation is that you will be practicing what was taught in class outside of class until you have mastered proper recitation.
All these tips are for someone who has already learned how to read Arabic and the rules of tajweed but is still having difficulty reading The Quran. Remember: Take your time (slow down), learn common words and verses, read from a colour-coded mushaf, and listen to The Quran. Don’t feel embarrased to review the basics and try looking ahead if you’re already reading moderately well and want to improve more. Ultimately, reading The Quran better comes down to practice.
