The Prophet’s Guidance in Reciting the Qur'an

The Prophet, would recite a hizb199 regularly each day without fail.

He used to recite slowly and precisely, not hastily, but with distinct pronunciation of each letter.

He used to start his recitation by seeking refuge in Allah from Satan, saying:

“A`udhu billaahi minash-shaytaanir-rajeem" (Iseek refuge in Allah from Satan, the rejected.)

Or perhaps he would say:

"O Allah, I seek refuge in You from Satan, the rejected, from his suggestion, his blowing and his breath."200

He used to recite the Qur'an while standing, sitting or lying on his side, with wudhu' or without. Nothing prevented himfrom reciting it except the state of sexual impurity

He used to recite stopping at the end of each verse, and would recite a surah so slowly that it seemed longer than one, which was actually longer.

He used to chant when reciting the Qur'an, and said, “He is not of us who does not chant the Qur'an.”201 He also said: “Beautify the Qur'an with your voices.”202

He used to lengthen pronunciation of the "madd" (extension) letters, for example, he extended the words "ar-Rahmaan'' (the Entirely Merciful) and ''ar-Raheem'' (the Especially Merciful).

He liked also to listen to the Qur'an being recited by someone other than himself.

When he came across a sajdah (prostration) verse, he would say “Allahu akbar" and prostrate.203 During his prostration he might say:

“My face has prostrated to Him who created it, formed it and gave it its hearing and sight through His might and power."

Or he might say: "O Allah, by [this prostration] remove from me a sin, register for me a reward, store it with You and accept it as you accepted it from Your servant, Dawud.”

He did not say, ''Allahu akbar'' when rising from this prostration, nor did he ever recite the tashahhud following it or the salaam.