In this article, we are going to know the rules of saying istia’azah (Ta’awwuz) and basmalah (Tasmiyah) when reading the Holy Quran.
Let’s Get started with the name of Allah!
1) The Definition of Isti’aazah استعاذۃ
Liguistically:
Linguistically Isti’aazah استعاذۃ means to seek refuge and protection and it is the Masdar مصدر of the Arabic verb استعاذ
Tajweed
In Tajweed it means to seek refuge in Allah from the rejected Satan, and the intention to begin the recitation of the Holy Quran. it protects and shields us from any harm. We say this when we want to get in Allah’s protection.
2) What do we Say to seek refuge with Allah from satan?
We Say:
اَ عُوذُ بِا للّٰہِ مِنَ الشَّیْطَانِ الرَّجِیْمِ
A-o’oo zu bil laaa hi mi nash shai taw nir rajeem.
I seek refuge with Allah from Satan, the accursed.
This has mentioned in the Quran by following words,
فَاِذَا قَرَاْتَ الْقُرْاٰ نَ فَاسْتَعِذْ بَاللّٰہِ مِنَ الشَّیْطَا نِ الرَّجِیْمِ
When you recite the Quran, seek refuge with Allah from Satan, the accursed. 16:98.
This is the preferred wording by the 10 Qaris, as well as the four imams.
Other Options to Say Isti’aazah:
There are other ways to say isti’aazah as we can say :
اَعُوْذُ بِاللّٰہِ مِنَ الشَّیْطَانِ الرَّجِیْمِ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ ھُوَ السَّمِیْعُ الْعَلِیْمُ
It Has mentioned in imam Razi’s tafseer of Aayah 36 of Suratul Fussilat.
It was narrated by Umar ibn ul Khattab and Muslim Ibn ul Yasar.
It is the selected option by Imam Nafi’, Imam Amir, and Imam Kisai.
3) The Ruling of regarding saying the Isti’aazah ?
The Scholars agree that the Isti’aazah is not a part of the Quran. there are two ruling regarding it.
It is Mustah’ab – or highly recommended to recite it at the beginning of one’s recitation. (This ruling is more widely agreed upon the Qaris and the Fuqahah.)
It is Wajib to recite it at the Beginning of one’s recitation.
Both Opinions have their daleels(proofs).
4) should reciter say it loudly or silently?
Saying Isti’aazah Loudly:
The Isti’aazah should pronounce aloud when:
1) One is Reciting Aloud.
2) When others will be able to hear one’s recitation, such as in a class, etc.
3) When the Reading is done by turn (as in Quran Class or Group Class) then the First Reader will say it loudly only.
Saying Isti’aazah Silently:
The Isti’aazah should pronounce silently.
1) When The reader will not read aloud.
2) When no one is listening to the recitation
3) When one Joins a group class or gathering that has already started recitation.
4) When one is reciting in Prayer, Silently or Aloud.
5) Need to say the isti’aazah again when:
We do not need to say Isti’aazah again if:
1) The conversation is related to the Quran (tafseer of an aayah, etc).
2) Because of sneezes, yawns or coughs.
Must Saying Isti’aazah again if:
1) Reader talks at any worldly topics then want to get back to recitation.
2) Reader replies to Someone’s Salaam.
6) Isti’aazah at the beginning of the surah:
There are four options, Saying Isti’aazah and Basmalah when one is beginning the recitation from the beginning of Surah.
1) Stop at the end of all three. Al-Qat’a’-Al-Jamee’
2) Join All three. Al-Wasl-Al-Jamee’
3) Stop at the Isti’aazah and Join Basmalah with the first Aayah of the next Surah.
4) Join the Isti’aazah with Basmalah, and then stop. then read the first ayah of the Surah.
PRACTICE:
Read the following Aayah with applying all the 4 rules of Saying Isti’aazah and Basmalah at the beginning of the Surah.
اَعُوذُ بِاللّٰہِ مِنَ الشَّیْطَا نِ الرَّجِیْمِ
بِسْمِ اللّٰہِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ
قُلْ ھُوَ اللّٰہُ اَحَدٌ
7) When we start recitation from the middle of a surah.
1) Saying the Isti’aazah is recommended.
2) Saying the Basmalah is optional.
3) If one is saying with basmalah then you can apply any of the 4 rules that have mentioned above.
4) but if you are not saying basmalah then you have to follow these 2 rules.
i) Joining the isti’aazah with an Aayah.
ii) Stop after saying Isti’aazah then start your reading from an Aayah.
8) Remember the Exceptions.
1) If the Aayah starting with the word of Allah or a word that refers to Allah:
i) Stop after Isti’aazah.
ii) Say the basmalah after Isti’aazah.
Examples: Al Baqarah Aayah 257, Taha Aayah 5, Al-Fussilat Aayah 47.
2) If the Aayah starts with the name of Satan, or any word that refers to satan.
i) Do not say basmalah after Isti’aazah. it is recommended.
ii) or Stop after Basmalah and Do not Join it with an Aayah.
Examples:
Al-Baqarah Aayah 268, An Nisaa Aayah 118.
9) Basmalah:
The Rules of Basmalah (Tasmiyah)
In Tajweed,
1) basmalah means to say بِسْمِ اللّٰہِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ
2) Same as Isti’aazah, it is Mustahab to read it at the starting of a Surah.
3) If you start recitation from the middle of a surah then saying basmalah it’s optional.
4) Basmalah should not be recited at the end of Suratul Anfaal and the Starting of Suratut Taubah.
10) Is Basmalah an Aayah of the Quran or?
Fuqaha and Qaris have a different opinion on it.
In the Riwayah of “Hafs A’n A’asim”, We should read Basmalah between the Surahs.
will discuss this topic in detail in a different article.
11) Joining Isti’aazah and Basmalah when joining two surahs.
Reader finishes Suratul Falaq and now want to start Suratunn Naas together.
so we have 4 options regarding this situation. 3 are correct and one is incorrect.
1) Join all three (Al-Wasl-Al-Jamee’)
2) Stop at all three (Al-Qata’-Al-Jamee’)
3) Stop at the last Aayah of the First Surah. then join Basmalah with the First Aayah of the next Surah.
4) Join the Last Aayah of the First Surah with Basmalah. Then Stop. Then start from the first Aayah of the Next Surah.
Note: Number 4 is incorrect because it means that we are reading the Basmalah as a part of the Last Surah.
PRACTICE:
Exercise to read Basmalah with all the 3 rules that are correct.
– وَمِنْ شَرِّ حَا سِدٍ اِذَا حَسَدَ
– بِسْمِ اللّٰہِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ
– قُلْ اَعُوْذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ
12) The rules of joining Suratul Anfaal with Suratut Taubah.
We only recite Isti’aazah in the Beginning of Suratut Taubah. and it is also known as Suratu Baraa’ah. we do not recite Basmalah in the beginning of Suratut Taubah.
but if the reader wants to join suratul Anfaal with Suratut Taubah then reader has 3 options.
1) Read the Last Aayah of Suratul Anfaal with the first Aayah of Suratut Taubah without doing the Sakt (breathless stop) and without taking a pause there. All together. Example: Read practically by following the Rule 01 in the Quran.
2) Read with Sakt (breathless stop) at about 2 seconds long after the last Aayah of Suratul Anfaal and before starting Suratut Taubah. Example: Read practically by following the Rule 02 in the Quran.
3) Very Short Pause (Taking Breath) after the Last Aayah of Suratul Anfaal and then immediately starts the Suratut Taubah. Example: Read practically by following the Rule 03 in the Quran.
