I love these gems I came across, because so many practices are culture specific. Which are good in themselves, unless imposed upon other cultures. These are however applicable to all Muslims:
- Sit in a state of Wuḍūʾ, facing the Qiblah. [ʾat-Tibyān fī ʾĀdāb Ḥamalatil Qurʾān lin Nawawī: 1/37]
- Place the Qurʾān manuscript (Muṣḥaf) on a pillow or high place. [Fatḥul Karīm ʾal-Mannān fī ʾĀdāb Ḥamalatil Qurʾān: 1/4]
- Recite Taʿawwuẓ before reciting. [ʾan-Naḥl: 98]
- Recite slowly, with Tajwīd. [ʾal-Muzzammil: 4]
- If some need arises, close the Muṣḥaf before going to attend to the need. [ʾat-Tibyān fī ʾĀdāb Ḥamalatil Qurʾān lin Nawawī: 1/58]
- Upon returning from that need, recite Taʿawwuẓ again before recitation of the Qurʾān. [ʾat-Tibyān fī ʾĀdāb Ḥamalatil Qurʾān lin Nawawī: 1/58]
- If there are others engaged in their own work who are present, then recite softly. [ʾat-Tibyān fī ʾĀdāb Ḥamalatil Qurʾān lin Nawawī: 1/58]
- If the people turn in attention to your recitation, then recite aloud. [ʾat-Tibyān fī ʾĀdāb Ḥamalatil Qurʾān lin Nawawī: 1/58]
- Ponder over the meaning during your recitation. [Ṣād: 29]
- Let your heart be aware of the lofty status of the Qurʾān. [ʾat-Tibyān fī ʾĀdāb Ḥamalatil Qurʾān lin Nawawī: 1/97]
In regards point 7.
Imam Nawawi did not live in an age when Quraan was played on CDs, radio etc as something in the background. What would he comment on this common disrespect? Allah says:
وَإِذَا قُرِئَ الْقُرْآنُ فَاسْتَمِعُوا لَهُ وَأَنصِتُوا لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ
"When the Quraan is recited, then listen with attention to it and be silent that mercy may be shown to you." [al-A'raaf: 204]
Secondly, verses of prostration in particular should be recited softly, as some (the Hanafi school for example) hold that the prostration is compulsory. The one who hears might not be aware of the ruling, or that that particular verse requires a prostration, or might not be a state that he can prostrate and you have inconvenienced him.
May Allah grant us His closeness through His Word.
سليمان الكندي
@sulayman_kindi
