As in all forms of worship, the study and recital of the Qur’ān must be accompanied by the correct intention – seeking the acceptance and pleasure of Allāh. It is preferable to be in a state of wudhū’ (ablution) if possible. A manner of respect and politeness should be observed before the words of Allāh, the Exalted.

SEEKING REFUGE (الاستعادة)

Allāh (subḥānahu wa ta‘ālā) has said:

فَإِذَا قَرَأْتَ الْقُرْآنَ فَاسْتَعِذْ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ

"And when you recite the Qur’ān seek refuge in Allāh from Shayṭān, the rejected."

So anyone intending to read or recite āyāt (verses) from the Qur’ān should begin by saying:أعوذُ بِٱللَّهِ مِنَ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنِ ٱلرَّجِيمِ

 I seek refuge in Allāh from Shayṭān, the rejected.") whether starting from the beginning of a sūrah or from any other point. Normally it is not said aloud except in circles of learning. If one is interrupted during reading by some necessity or speech not pertaining to Qur’ānic study, he should repeat the seeking of refuge before resuming recitation.

PRONOUNCING THE NAME OF ALLĀH ( البسملة)

After seeking refuge from Shayṭān, the reader, when beginning a new sūrah, says: بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ 

except in Sūrah at-Tawbah which does not begin with "Bismillāh..." When starting from the middle of a sūrah, he may choose to recite it or not as he pleases, except in cases where the āyah he begins with contains some description of Allāh (as in āyah 47 of Sūrah Fuṣṣilat) which should not be connected to the name of Shayṭān. After the basmalah (the saying of "Bismillāh ir-Raḥmān irRaḥeem") whenever appropriate, the actual recitation begins.

STOPS (الوقوف)

Knowing the proper places to begin and to stop during reading or recitation is of utmost importance in order to avoid mistakes leading to confusion or a change in meaning. The question often arises concerning a long āyah where the reader must pause to draw a breath before continuing. Any point of starting or stopping is considered either permissible (جاءز) ; prohibited ( غىرجاءز) ;or unsuitable (قبيح)  according to whether or not it leads to a complete and correct meaning. 

A general understanding of the meanings in Arabic can keep the reader from most serious mistakes, and additional knowledge is gained through the tafseer (explanation) of the Qur’ān. For further assistance, certain symbols have been added by scholars to the muṣḥaf designating information about the desirability of stopping in specific places. Muṣḥafs printed in Pakistan follow a system of symbols slightly different from
those printed in Arab countries, but the more common ones in most muṣḥafs are as follows: