The Importance of Prayer and Its Relation to Reading the Quran
Duā (Supplication) is when a servant acknowledges his helplessness before the majesty of Allah Ta’ala and asks for His grace and help. The word itself contains meanings such as “to call, to summon, to request, and to seek assistance,” but it is generally used in the sense of “a request or supplication from the lower to the higher.” Making duā is encouraged and emphasized with importance in verses of the Quran. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) also told us about the virtue of duā through many hadith. For example, it is narrated: “Pray to Him with fear and hope.” (Surah Al-A’raf, 7/56) and “There is nothing more precious in Allah’s sight than supplication.” (Tirmidhi, Adab, 1; Ibn Majah, Dua, 1).
Prayers to Recite Before Starting to Read the Quran
Prayer 1 to Recite Before Reading the Quran: Mu’awwidha
“Eûzu billahi mineş-şeytânirracîm.”
Meaning: “I seek refuge in Allah from the rejected devil.” This prayer is recited before starting to read the Quran, seeking protection from the influence of Satan.
Prayer 2 to Recite Before Reading the Quran
اَللَّهُمَّ بِالْحَقِّ اَنْزَلْتَهُ وبِالْحَقِّ نَزَلَ اَللَّهُمَّ عَظِّمْ رَغْبَتِي فِيهِ وَاجْعَلْهُ نُوراً لِبَصَرِي وَشِفَاءً لِصَدْرِي اَللَّهُمَّ زَيِّنْ بِهِ لِسَانِي وَجَمِّلْ بِهِ وَجْهِي وَقَوِّ بِهِ جَسَدِي وَارْزُقْنِي تِلَاوَتَهُ عَلَى طَاعَتِكَ آنَاءَ اللَّيْلِ وَاَطْرَافَ النَّهَارِ وَاحْشُرْنِي مَعَ النَّبِيِّ مُحَمَّدٍ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّموَآلِهِ الْاَخْيَارِ
Recitation: “Allahümme bil hakkı enzeltehü ve bil hakkı nezel. Allahümme azzim ragbetî fîhi vec’alhu nûran libasarî. Ve şifâen lisadrî. Allahümme zeyyin bihî lisânî ve cemmil bihî vechî ve kavvî bihî cesedî. Verzuknî tilâvetehu ala tâatike ânâel leyli ve etrafen nehâr. Vehşurnî mean nebiyyi Muhammedin sallallahu teala aleyhi ve selleme ve âlihil ahyâr.”
Meaning: “O Allah! You have revealed it with the truth, and it has descended with the truth. O Allah! Increase my desire for it, make it light for my eyes and healing for my chest. O Allah! Beautify my tongue with it, illuminate my face with it, strengthen my body with it, and grant me to recite it upon your obedience during the nights and ends of the days, and gather me with the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and his righteous companions.” (See Majmu’atul-Ahzab, 1/591)
Prayer 3 to Recite Before Reading the Quran
رَبَّنَٓا اٰمَنَّا بِمَٓا اَنْزَلْتَ وَاتَّبَعْنَا الرَّسُولَ فَاكْتُبْنَا مَعَ الشَّاهِد۪ينَ
Recitation: “Rabbenâ âmennâ bimâ enzelte vetteba’nâ-rrasûle fektubnâ me’a-şşâhidîn(e).”
Meaning: “Our Lord! We believe in what You have revealed and follow the Messenger. So write us down with those who bear witness.” (Surah Al-Imran, verse 53)