Reciting the Qur'an

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  Qur'an
  
  Purify before touching the Qur'an. Your hands must be clean. Use a toothstick (siwak) to clean your mouth before speaking holy words in the Qur'an. While reciting, if you clear your throat, rinse your mouth. Keep a bowl near with clear water with which to rinse.
  
  
• 2
  Qur'an Cover
  
  Dress with appropriate esteem for what you are about to do. When a man recites the Qur'an, he should wear a turban and his finest clothes. A woman should wear the hijab (a veil), as if she were performing Salaat (the second pillar of Islam--prayer).
  
  
• 3
  Qur'an
  
  Seek refuge with Allah when you start reciting. Islam Online teaches that you must say, "A`udhu billahi min Ash-Shaytan-ir-rajeem, [I seek refuge with Allah from the cursed devil]." Say: "Bismi-llah ir-Rahman ir-Raheem" (In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful).
  
  
• 4
  Woman reciting the Qur'an
  
  Maintain focus. Do not interrupt your recitation by speaking with others. Muslims are advised to recite the Qur'an in private in order to avoid disruption.
  
  
• 5
  
  
  Recite slowly in Arabic. The only authoritative version of the Qur'an is in Arabic. When you read slowly and purposefully, you may gain understanding of the wisdom of the verses in front of you.
  
  
• 6
  Page from 12th Century Qur'an
  
  Read the entire surah (passage). Do not skip around the Qur'an nor fail to recite an entire surah. Say, "Allah Says the Truth" when finished reciting the Qur'an. These words recognize that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be unto him (PBUH) delivered the message of the words you recited. Also say, "Our Lord! You have said the Truth. Your messengers have delivered the message. We testify on all this. O Allah! Make us bear witness of the truth and observe justice in all our dealings." Finish by asking Allah for his grace and bounty.
  
  
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  Islamic Image of the Qur'an
  
  Glorify the Qur'an. Never leave the book out in the open. Never place anything on top of the Qur'an. Nothing is higher than the Qur'an. Look with devoted attention at the words you are reciting. This helps you to gain the deeper meaning of the words.
  
  
• 8
  Qur'an in Arabic
  
  Lower your voice as you recite. This helps to avoid offending anyone who does not want to hear you.