Tajweed is the art of reciting the Quran with precision and beauty. Two key phrases in this art are Al-Isti’aathah and Al-Basmalah. Al-Isti’aathah is the invocation seeking Allah’s protection from Satan before recitation, while Al-Basmalah is the phrase, “In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful,” marking the start of most chapters. At Quran Spirit, we help you master these essential Tajweed rules, enhancing your recitation with accuracy and reverence. Let’s begin this spiritual journey together!
What is Meant by Al-Isti’aathah?
Al-Isti’aathah is a phrase we say before starting to recite the Holy Qur’an: “أَعُذُ باللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطاَنِ الرَّجيم” (I seek refuge in Allah from Shaitaan the accursed.). It’s like asking for protection from Shaitan’s (devil) harm. Al-Isti’aathah functions as a sacred invocation, a heartfelt plea in which we seek refuge in Allah from the harmful and deceptive influence of Satan before we begin reciting the Quran. This invocation sets a spiritual tone, creating a protective barrier as we engage with the divine text.
Scholars have different opinions about this phrase, most of them say it’s recommended (Mustahab), while some say it’s obligatory (Wajib). So, we recommend reciting Isti’aathah to keep satan away from you when you are reciting Quran.
What is Meant by Al-Basmalah?
Al-Basmalah is the phrase “بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحمانِ الرَّحِيمِ” (In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Beneficent). When starting a new chapter, reciting Al-Basmalah is necessary (Wajib), but it’s optional (Ja’iz) if you begin from the middle of a chapter. Al-Basmalah acts as a boundary between chapters, emphasizing the sanctity of each section. So, saying Al-Basmalah marks the start of reciting with the name of Allah, invoking His mercy and blessings. Al-Basmalah is the beautiful introductory phrase, “In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.”
It’s a part of a verse in Surah An-Naml. You’ll find it at the beginning of all the chapters in the Quran, except for Surah At-Taubah. It is a continuation of the previousSurah, so there is no Al-Basmalah recited before Surah At-Taubah.
6 Rules of Al-Isti’aathah & Al-Basmalah
Let’s learn the six important rules of Al-Isti’aathah and Al-Basmalah that the Quran Spirit covers in their advanced tajweed course.
Rule 1:
When you start reciting a new chapter of the Quran, it’s a good idea (recommended or Mustahab) to say “أَعُذُ باللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطاَنِ الرَّجيم” (I seek refuge in Allah from Shaitaan the accursed). You can say it once for the whole Quran session if you don’t pause the recitation.
For example, if you begin with Surah Al-Faatiha and continue into Surah Al-Baqarah without stopping, you only need to say it once. But if you pause and start again later, it’s up to you whether you want to say it again or not.
Rule 2:
It’s highly recommended (Sunnah Mu’akkadah) to say “بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحمانِ الرَّحِيمِ” (In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Beneficent) at the start of each surah, except for Surah At-Tawbah.
Rule 3:
If you’re in the middle of a surah, it’s your choice whether you want to say “بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحمانِ الرَّحِيمِ” or not. It’s better to say it, but you don’t have to.
Rule 4:
You can join the “أَعُذُ باللَّهِ” and “بِسْمِ اللَّهِ” with the first verse of a surah in different ways:
- Say both in one breath, along with the first verse.
- Say “أَعُذُ باللَّهِ” and “بِسْمِ اللَّهِ” together, then start the first verse with a separate breath.
- Say “أَعُذُ باللَّهِ” with one breath, then “بِسْمِ اللَّهِ” and the first verse with another breath.
- Say “أَعُذُ باللَّهِ” separately, then “بِسْمِ اللَّهِ” and the first verse with separate breaths.
Rule 5:
Between two surahs, you have options on how to connect or separate the endings and beginnings:
- Join the last verse of the former surah, “بِسْمِ اللَّهِ” and the first verse of the latter surah in one breath.
- Separate the last verse from “بِسْمِ اللَّهِ” and “بِسْمِ اللَّهِ” from the first verse with separate breaths.
- Separate the last verse from “بِسْمِ اللَّهِ” and join “بِسْمِ اللَّهِ” with the first verse in one breath.
Rule 6:
Surah At-Tawbah doesn’t start with “بِسْمِ اللَّهِ”. If you’re continuing from Surah Al-Anfaal, you have three choices:
- Connect the last verse of Surah Al-Anfaal with Surah At-Tawbah without a pause or breath.
- Pause briefly (without breathing) after the last verse of Surah Al-Anfaal before starting Surah At-Tawbah.
- Take a breath after the last verse of Surah Al-Anfaal, then immediately start Surah At-Tawbah.
These rules help you to recite Quran beautifully and accurately to maintain the proper recitation and respect for the Quran’s verses.
Final Words
In mastering Tajweed rules, you need to pay attention to the concepts of Al-isti’aathah and Al-Basmalah. You have a choice to break breaths or continue recitations with these rules. You can join a free trial of online tajweed classes at Quran Spirit to check out how the professionals teach the Tajweed rules with a customised learning plan for students.
