Reading in Arabic
Question :

I don't know how to read or speak Arabic, so I read the Quran in English, but is it obligatory to read the Quran in Arabic?

Answer :

Reciting the Quran in its original Arabic is essential in the prayers, and it must be learnt if you do not know how to. Outside of the prayer, reciting the Quran – in its original Arabic – is a recommended deed and not obligatory.

Different Modes of Reciting
Question :

The Sunnis have different modes of reciting the Quran (qira'at), the most popular being Asim (by way of Hafs) and Nafi (by way of Warsh), but also Ibn Kathir, Abu Amr, Ibn Amir, Hamza, Kisa'i, Khalaf, Ya'qub, and Abu Ja'far. Do the Ithna Ashariyah follow one of these, permit several of them, or do they have their own?

Answer :

The Shias do not have a specific mode of recitation. The Holy book of Allah can be recited by modes of recitation that were common amongst Muslims during the eras of the Imams (peace be upon them). The most popular one nowadays is Asim by the way Hafs, and it is best to keep to this recitation.

The Creation of the Quran
Question :

The Sunnis say the Quran is not created and the Mutazilites say it is. What is the Shia view?

Answer :

The Holy Quran comprises of the words of Almighty Allah that came to be and did not exist before, so it is one of Allah's creations.

Selling the Holy book
Question :

Is it permissible to sell the Quran?

Answer :

Yes, it is permissible.

Selling the Holy book
Question :

Is it permissible to print a translation of the Quran, with the Arabic text alongside it, and then give or sell it to anyone who wants it even if they are non-believers?

Answer :

Yes, it is permissible.

Memorizing the Quran
Question :

Is there a specific number of how many times a person should complete the Quran in their life, and how many Surahs they should memorize?

Answer :

It is not obligatory to complete the recite the whole of the Holy Quran, nor is it obligatory to repeat doing so. However, it is highly recommended to do so.
Likewise, it is not obligatory to memorize any surah, so one could recite even the chapter of Al-Fatiha during prayers by reading it.

Reciting of Non-Arabs
Question :

It has been narrated in many traditions from the Holy Prophet and the infallible Imams (Peace be upon them all) that the recitation, memorization, reading and listening of the Qur'an carry great rewards in this world and the Hereafter as well. How can non-Arabic speakers recite with contemplation if they do not understand the meaning of what they read?

Answer :

It is recommended to recite the Holy Quran even for those who do not understand its meanings. Reciting with contemplation and understanding is definitely better, but this does not mean that reciting without it has no value.

Reciting During Ramadan
Question :

If a person was reading the Quran and had not completed before the start of Ramadan, can he continue the same recitation or start from the beginning so that he can complete the whole Quran in Ramadan?

Answer :

Both ways of recitation are permissible.

Rhythms of Quran
Question :

Is it allowed to recite the Quran with notes and rhythms which are used for music or nasheed?

Answer :

It is not permissible if the recitation is with the rhythm of songs which are prohibited. It is preferable to avoid it even if it was without the prohibited rhythms if they were in a way that does not relate to the holiness of the Book and its sanctity.

Mistakes in Quran Recitation
Question :

If one hears someone recites the Quran, is it obligatory on him to correct the mistakes of his recitation?

Answer :

Although it is a good thing to correct another person’s recitation of the Quran, it is not obligatory to do so.

Talking while Someone Reciting Quran
Question :

If someone is reciting Quran in front of me, am I allowed to speak? Does it make a difference if the recitation is not live, but is a recording?

Answer :

We have been ordered in some narrations to listen to whoever recites Quran. This does not include recorded recitations.

Reciting Quran in Mobile Phone
Question :

I have the whole holy Quran in my mobile phone, so am I allowed to read the holy book when I am lying down in bed?

Answer :

Yes, it is permissible.

Covering The Head
Question :

Is it obligatory to cover our head when reciting the Quran?

Answer :

No, it is not obligatory.

Holy Quran
Question :

Some people claim that both the Sunni and Shia authentic books of ahadith contain such narrations from which it is proved that the Holy Quran present in our houses is not exactly that Quran that was revealed upon the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his progeny). Is there any truth to this?

Answer :

The mentioned narrations are rejected by Shias and Sunnis, which suggests the lack of credibility in these traditions. Muslims were paying attention since the very early days of Islam in memorizing the Holy Book, reciting it, teaching it and spreading it. It was reported that the month of Ramadan is the spring season of the Holy Book, referring to the best time of the year. It was a common practice to recite the entire Quran during this month. Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir (peace be upon him) recited the Holy Book ten times during the holy month. It was also narrated that Imam Ali Al-Ridha (peace be upon him) did the same.
Since the earliest days of Islam, there were certain reciters who specialized in the recitation of the Quran and they taught it to others. As such, the Book was widespread amongst the Muslims in general, not to any special class in the Muslim society, and they went to great lengths to preserve the words of the Quran without any changes and alterations.
All of this indicates that the Holy Quran which we currently have, reached us from generation after generation. Therefore, the claim that you refer to in your question is meaningless and rejected.

Smart Phone
Question :

What is the ruling on reading the Quran from a smart phone in an app? Do the same rules apply in terms of touching the screen without wudhu?

Answer :

It is permissible to touch the screen of the phone which is showing the text of the Holy Quran.

Zul Qarnayn
Question :

Who was Zul Qarnayn according to history? Some Muslims seem to say it was Alexander the great but it can't be possible since Alexander is well known throughout history to have no such Islamic belief. So who was Zul Qarnayn?

Answer :

It appears from the Holy Quran that Thu ulqarnain was a righteous person and that almighty Allah made him capable of control a large portion of earth. This does not mean that he was a Muslim in our Islam today, but he was a good devotee that believed in monotheism which is the most important belief in Islam.

Writing the Quran
Question :

When the revelations were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and this holy household), he would have another person write it down. Why did he not write the Quran himself?

Answer :

The Prophet (peace be upon him and his progeny) did not write the Quran or any other text. Muslims used to write it. This is one of the evidences that the Quran is from Almighty Allah and not from the Prophet, since he did not exhibit any writing in his life. Despite that, he brought this great book that contains very high concepts in many aspects of intellect and in life. Almighty Allah said: “And you (O Muhammad) were not a reader of any scripture before it, nor did you write it with your right hand, for then might those have doubted who follow falsehood." (29:48)

Bismillah
Question :

Is the “bismillah” part of the Suratul-Fatihah and not part of the rest of the chapters?

Answer :

Religious scholars differ in this issue, but the opinion held by most of them is that “bismillah” is part of every chapter except the ninth chapter of Al-Bara’ah.

Recitation of Quran for Dead
Question :

I want to dedicate the reward of a complete recitation of the whole Quran to ten deceased people. Will every deceased receive the reward of the recitation of the whole Quran, or will they receive a proportionate reward (i.e. one-tenth in this case)?

Answer :

It has been reported from the Infallibles (peace be upon them) that each one of them will receive the reward of reciting the whole Holy Quran.

Reciting the Quran in the Computer
Question :

Is it ethical to recite the Quran on the computer or internet, when one has the book at home on the shelf? Will this book complain about the person on the Day of Judgement? The individual has problems reading small words, so the computer enlarges the writing on the screen. Is anything being done wrong here by leaving the Quran in the house without reading it physically?

Answer :

It is permissible to recite the Holy Book from the internet or via the computer, but it is disliked to fully abandon reciting from the physical book.