I’m Afraid of Making a Mistake When Reciting the Qur’an

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: I have poor Qur’an recitation skills. I can only recite Qur’an if it has the vowels with the letters to help with the recitation and even then, it is the type that is taught mainly in the Indian subcontinent. I’ve picked up Qur’ans with vowels in them from the Middle East and they have different types of vowels that are hard for me to read.  I might be explaining this the wrong way but I think you know what I am talking about. Anyway, I have an earnest desire to recite Qur’an, and to utilize supplications from the Sunnah, but I am afraid of accidentally reciting/asking for something else by changing the meaning because of my poor recitation. How does this work out?

Answer: Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

I hope you are in the best of health and spirits, insha’Allah.

Every copy of the Qur’an is vowelled. A different script or font doesn’t affect the vowelling in any way; other than the fact that it may ‘look’ different.

Don’t have any baseless fears. Allah does not burden the believers with more than they can bear. Supplicate — and don’t busy yourself with thoughts of accidentally changing meanings.

In the case you were to accidentally make any mistakes, they would, insha’Allah, be overlooked. Please see the following answer: The Sunna Method of Reciting the Qur’an and the Legal Status of Reciting With Tajwid
Improving one’s Recitation

As for improving in your reading skills:

[1] You should consider sitting with a qualified teacher and reciting to him so that he can directly help you improve your recitation;

[2] Listen and read along with recitors such as Sh Hussary or Sh Minshawi;

[3] Begin memorizing portions of the Qur’an: Foundations Certificate in Qur’anic Memorization – Part 1

[4] Take some tajwid classes: Practical Tajwid or Certificate in Qur’anic Recitation – Part 1

[5] Ask Allah for divinely granted success (tawfiq) and don’t deem yourself incapable.

And Allah alone gives success.

Wassalam,

Tabraze Azam

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani