1. Etiquettes of reciting the Quran and related issues

1.1. Strive to be sincere when you learn and recite the Quran

Abu Hurayra narrated that the Messenger of Allah said: The first man to be judged on the Day of Resurrection...is a man who learnt knowledge and taught it as well as recite the Quran. He will be brought forward, and acquainted with his blessings and he will recognise them. He will say, "What did you do for them?" The man will say, "I learnt knowledge and taught it as well as recite the Quran for Your sake." He will say, "You lie, rather you learnt knowledge so it would be said, 'A scholar!' and you recited the Quran so it would be said, 'He is a recitor!' and it has already been said." Then an order will be given and he will be dragged upon his face until he is thrown into the Fire..." (Related by Muslim)

1.2. Apply the teachings of the Quran

Deem lawful what the Quran deems lawful, and deem illicit what the Quran deems illicit. Obey its commands and avoids its prohibitions.

In the long narration the Messenger of Allah said: We came upon a man who was lying down on his back, and another man who was standing over him with a rock or stone and was breaking his head with it. Whenever he would strike him, the rock would roll away. Whenever he went to retrieve the rock, he would no sooner return than the other man's head would heal and return to its previous state. Then the man would keep on striking him. I asked, "Who is this?" [The Prophet then explained the meaning of what he saw]: As for the one whose head would be constantly broken, he is a man whom Allah taught the Quran, but who would the sleep from it at night and not apply it during the day. That will be done to him until the Day of Resurrection. (Related by al-Bukhari)

1.3. Consistently recite and study the Quran

Constant recitation and study ensures frequent revision and that one does not forget what one has memorised.

Ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with father and son) reported that the Messenger of Allah said: The example of the companion of the Quran is that of an owner of a tied camel: if he is vigilant over it, he will hold onto his camel; if he releases it, it will go away. (Related by al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Abu Musa (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet said: Maintain the Quran, for by the One in whose hand is my soul, it goes more intensely than do camels from their hobbles. (Related by al-Bukhari)

1.4. One should not say regarding his memorisation "I forget" rather say "I was made to forget

Saying "I forgot" implies neglect of the Quran and the reprimand is for the one who allows such a situation through negligence.

The Messenger of Allah said: Wretched is it for one of them to say, "I forgot such and sych verse." Rather he was made to forget it. (Related by al-Bukhari and Muslim)

The Messenger of Allah said when he heard a man reciting a chapter of the Quran: May Allah have mercy on him for he has indeed reminded me of such and such verse which I was made to forget from such and such chapter. (Related by al-Bukhari and Muslim)

1.5. Obligation to contemplate the Quran

كِتَابٌ أَنزَلْنَاهُ إِلَيْكَ مُبَارَكٌ لِّيَدَّبَّرُوا آيَاتِهِ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ أُوْلُوا الْأَلْبَابِ
(This is) a Book(the Qur'ân) which We have sent down to you, full of blessings that they may ponder over its Verses, and that men of understandingmay remember. (Sad 38:29)

One should reflect on its teachings, aims and wisdoms. Through this one learns about one's Lord, how to worhip him and how to distinguish between the righteous and the misguided. The more one reflects on the Quran, the more his knowledge, foresight and practical application of Islam will increase.

1.6. Permissability of reciting the Quran whilst one is standing, walking, riding, sitting or lying down

الَّذِينَ يَذْكُرُونَ اللّهَ قِيَامًا وَقُعُودًا وَعَلَىَ جُنُوبِهِمْ
Those who remember Allâh standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides... (Aali Imran 3:191)

لِتَسْتَوُوا عَلَى ظُهُورِهِ ثُمَّ تَذْكُرُوا نِعْمَةَ رَبِّكُمْ إِذَا اسْتَوَيْتُمْ عَلَيْهِ وَتَقُولُوا سُبْحانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ
وَإِنَّا إِلَى رَبِّنَا لَمُنقَلِبُونَ
In order that you may mount firmly on their backs, and then may remember the Favour of your Lord when you mount thereon, and say: "Glory to Him who has subjected this to us, and we could never have it (by our efforts). And verily, to Our Lord we indeed are to return! " (Az-Zukhruf 43:13-14)

'Abd Allaah ibn Mughaffal (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I saw the Messenger of Allah reciting Soorah al-Fath while he was riding his camel. (Related by al-Bukhari and Muslim)

'Aa`ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: While I would be menstruating the Prophet would recline in my lap and recite the Quran.

1.7. Requirement for ritual purity to touch the Quran

لَّا يَمَسُّهُ إِلَّا الْمُطَهَّرُونَ
Which none can touch but the purified (Al-Waqi'ah 56:79)

The Messenger of Allah sent a letter to 'Amr Ibn Hazm, governor of Yemen, which contained various legal rulings including: And none can touch the Quran except the purified. (Related in al-Muwatta)

One may hold the Quran via a barrier because in doing so one is not physically touching the Quran. It is permissable to carry the Quran in one's pocket but one cannot enter the toilet with it unless one fears by leaving it outside it will be stolen.

1.8. Permissability of reciting Quran from memory whilst in state of minor ritual impurity

It is caterogically forbidden to recite the Quran from memory or from a copy whilst in a state of major ritual impurity (such as after sexual relations or a wet dream). It is permissable to recite the Quran from memory but not from a copy whilst in a state of minor ritual impurity (such as after having answered the call of nature and so on). It is better and more complete to recite the Quran when in a complete state of purity but no criticism is due to the one who does so in a state of minor ritual impurity.

The scholars differ which one is better: to recite from memory or directly from the Quran? The majority opine the latter as there is greater precision and blessings of seeing the Quran. A third group say the matter depends on which will give greater humility and presence of heart in the circumstances and if the state is equal for both, then reading directly from the Quran is better as explained above. Imam al-Nawawi after discussing the issue says the sayings and actions of the pious predecessors confirm the detailed opinion.

1.9. Permissability of reciting Quran for menstruating women and those experienceing post-natal bleeding.

There is no authentic proof which establishes that these two catergories of women may not recite the Quran although they are forbidden from touching it.

1.10. Recommendation to clean mouth with siwaak (tooth stick) before reciting Quran

From good manners and veneration of the speech of Allah is to clean one's mouth and give it a good smell with a siwaak (tooth stick) before recitation.

1.11. Sunnah of isti'aadhah (seeking refuge in Allah from Satan) and the basmala before reading the Quran

فَإِذَا قَرَأْتَ الْقُرْآنَ فَاسْتَعِذْ بِاللّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ
So when you want to recite the Qur'ân, seek refuge with Allâh from Satan, the outcast . (An-Nahl 16:98)

There are three affirmed ways of making isti'aadhah from the reliable sources which are recommended to alternate in usage:-
1.أعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم
a'oodhu billaahi minash-shaytaanir-rajeem
I seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the outcast.

2.أعوذ بالله السميع العليم من الشيطان الرجيم من همزه ونفخه ونفثه
a'oodhu billaahis-samee'il-'aleemi minash-shaytaanir-rajeem min hamzihi wa nafkhihi wa nafthih
I seek refuge in Allah, the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing, from Satan, the outcast - from his pride, his poetry and his madness.

3.أعوذ بالسميع العليم من الشيطان الرجيم
a'oodhu bis-samee'il-'aleemi minash-shaytaanir-rajeem
I seek refuge the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing, from Satan, the outcast.

The isti'aadhahkeeps Satan at a distance so that one's heart can be better focussed on reflecting upon the Quran.

It is also an established Sunnah to recite the basmala before reciting the Quran to.

There is no authentic evidence to habitually end the recitation of the Quran with sadaqallaahul-'azeem ("Allah, the Almighty, has spoken the truth").

1.12. Recommendation to recite Quran clearly and slowly and dislike to recite it quickly and carelessly

أَوْ زِدْعَلَيْهِ وَرَتِّلِ الْقُرْآنَ تَرْتِيلًا
Or a little more; and recite the Qur'ân in a clear and slow style. (Al-Muzzammil 73:4)

Reciting Quran slowly and clearly giving each letter its due according to the rules of recitation allows for greater contemplation which is not achieved with hastiness. However to read quickly without compromise and negligence allowing greater amounts to be read can be deemed better in the way the former is like giving a single large jewel in charity whilst the latter is like giving many small jewels. The value of both is indeterminable. And Allah knows best.