Reading and learning the Quran online
The Quran is the sacred book of Islam and it is the Word of Allah revealed to the prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) by the Archangel Gibril (Gabriel). With the development of information technologies, it is now possible to easily access this precious treasure in various formats to facilitate its reading, its listening and its learning. This article presents to you the different possibilities available to you to fully enjoy the benefits of reading and listening to the Quran online.
The advantages of the Quran online
First of all, studying the Quran online presents several significant advantages such as:
- The possibility of reading, listening to and learning the Quran wherever you are and at any time, thanks to an internet connection.
- The luxury of being able to download a digital copy of the Holy Quran in order to read, listen to or learn it without needing to be connected.
- A varied choice of reciters, making it possible to find the one whose voice and style match one's preferences.
- Interactive pedagogical tools facilitating the memorization of the verses and the understanding of the rules of recitation (tajwid).
- The possibility of benefiting from features specially dedicated to users (night mode to ease the eyes, etc.) as is the case with le-coran.com, which is always developing more online tools with the aim of helping the lovers of the Quran and those curious to learn more.
- Translations in several languages, including French, to better grasp the meaning of the verses, but also in phonetics for all those who wish to read it in its original language without having learned Arabic.
- Increased accessibility for people who have difficulties obtaining a physical copy of the Quran (Moushaf).
Quran online: The different ways to use it
There are several ways to take advantage of the resources available online to read, listen to and learn the Quran:
Reading the Quran online
Numerous websites and mobile applications make it possible to consult an Arabic copy of the Quran. You can thus easily navigate between the different surahs and verses according to your needs, sometimes with the possibility of customizing the display (font, size, colour...).
Listening to the Quran online
You can also listen to the Quran recited by one or more reciters of your choice. Some sites even offer options to download the recitations in MP3 format in order to listen to them offline or on another device (tablet, smartphone, pc…).
Learning the Quran online
For those who wish to memorize the Quran or perfect their recitation, it is possible to find free tajwid courses online given by qualified teachers. These courses are generally accompanied by interactive exercises and advice to facilitate the memorization and the application of the rules of recitation, while using interfaces for reading the Quran online.
Translations and interpretations of the Quran online
In order to better understand the meaning of the verses of the Quran, you can consult translations in French or in other languages.
Exegeses of the Quran
Some online resources also offer commentaries and interpretations of the Quran (tafsir) to deepen the learner's knowledge of the Sacred Text. The circumstances of revelation as well as the explanations of the verses are a precious help in understanding the Quranic text, which is difficult to grasp alone without precious and costly works. That said, learning without a teacher is not recommended for anyone who wishes to follow a serious course of study in religious sciences.
Quran on the phone or in paper format (moushaf): is there a real difference?
While reading and listening to the Quran online offers numerous advantages, it is important to highlight the differences that exist with the use of a physical copy in paper format, called "al moushaf":
- The use of a digital medium can be distracting for some people because of notifications and other solicitations (calls, messages...) that can distract us from our primary objective online, if it was to read the Quran.
- The quality of the audio recitation can vary depending on the internet connection and the equipment used (speakers, headphones...).
- Direct contact with the paper medium can strengthen concentration and spirituality during the reading of the Quran for some, but this is not systematic.
- Indeed, the use of the moushaf (paper format in the original language of the revelation, Arabic) is no more meritorious than that of a digital copy, as the majority of scholars are of the opinion. The following hadith reports the divine reward for the one who reads the Quran without mentioning the means used by the one who reads it (we will see why):
Imam al-Tirmidhî reported, according to Ibn Mas'ûd (Radhia Allahou Anhou), that the Prophet said: « Whoever reads one letter of the Book of Allah is rewarded with a Hasana (good deed), and this is multiplied by ten. I do not say that Alif Lâm Mîm is one letter, but Alif is a letter, Lâm is a letter and Mîm is a letter ».
Let us remember that at the time of the revelation, only the scribes of the prophet had leaves on which were inscribed the verses revealed through the Archangel Gibril (Gabriel) to Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon them. Subsequently, not all Muslims were in possession of a copy of the Quran when it was gathered into a moushaf.
It is important to remember this in order to understand that only the intention and the action count. And not the medium used. Indeed, the Quran is the Word of Allah azza wa jal, and becoming aware of it in order to read it draws us closer to Him, and makes us feel the sacred character of His Quranic teachings.
Each action is worth a reward. Also, in order to multiply the opportunities to increase their number, the Muslim, rather than only listening to the Quran online, will prefer to read (aloud or quietly) while looking at the verses on the chosen medium. He will thus have the reward of reading and of recitation.
However, certain precautions must be taken into account when using a physical copy of the Quran. Indeed, it is recommended to purify oneself before touching the moushaf, in accordance with the verse:
"(…)none touch it except those who are purified" (Surah 56 - Al-Wâqi'a, verse 79)
Quran online: conclusion
Thus, each format has its own specificities and it is up to each person to choose the one that best suits their needs and preferences.
In short, the development of information technologies has considerably facilitated access to the Quran and its teachings. Whether it is for reading, listening to, learning or understanding the sacred text, there is now a multitude of online resources to accompany you on your spiritual journey. Do not hesitate to explore these different options in order to find those that best meet your expectations.