How to Learn the Surahs of the Quran

A hafiz, meaning "protector", is someone who has memorized every Surah.

Many Muslims from around the world believe that learning chapters from the Quran, known as Surahs, is a requirement for their religion. Learning Surahs can be a fulfilling experience for those seeking spiritual enlightenment.

Quranic Arabic

Quranic Arabic is the language of the Quran. Learning Quranic Arabic is the key to understanding how words in the Surah are pronounced and what they mean. A person can learn Quranic Arabic from mosques, madrasahs and private teachers.

Tajweed

Tajweed is the science of pronouncing the Surahs of the Quran. In order to learn Surahs, one must understand how the sounds of the words are pronounced. Tajweed can be learned best from from an experienced qari, a reciter of the Quran.

Obtain a Tafsir

After learning how to read and comprehend the meaning of the words of the Surah, the learner needs to understand the message of the Surah. A tafsir is a collection of commentaries on the Surahs. They give vital background information, such as historical facts and linguistic references, and explain exactly what the Surahs mean. Two of the most widely used collections are the Tafsir al-Tabari and Tafsir ibn Kathir, both named after their authors.

References

• QuranicStudies: An Introduction to the Science of Tafsir
• QuranicStudies: Language and Vocabulary of the Quran
• QuranicStudies: The Importance of Tajweed