Dua Before Reading the Quran
3 Keys to an Open Heart
To open the Quran is to come before the speech of Allah, the greatest words ever revealed to humankind. The dua before reading the Quran prepares the heart for this meeting by seeking refuge in Allah from the whispers of the devil, who tries hardest to distract a person from the words of his Lord. This seeking of refuge is not a custom but a command, given by Allah in His own book.
This guide explains the dua before reading the Quran, the verse that commands it, and three keys that open the heart to the recitation, so that the believer approaches the book of Allah with the reverence, focus and humility it deserves.
The Meaning of the Dua Before Reading the Quran
The dua before reading the Quran is the seeking of refuge, known as the istiadhah, in which the believer asks Allah to protect him from Satan, the rejected, before he begins to recite. Allah commands this directly in Surah An-Nahl, telling the believers that when they recite the Quran they should seek refuge in Allah from the accursed devil. The believer then opens with the basmalah, in the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, before reciting the verses.
The wisdom is clear: the devil works hardest to keep a person from the Quran, filling the mind with distraction and doubt at the very moment the heart could be transformed by the words of Allah. By seeking refuge first, the believer asks Allah to clear the path between his heart and the recitation, so that nothing comes between him and the guidance of his Lord.
فَإِذَا قَرَأْتَ الْقُرْآنَ فَاسْتَعِذْ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ
Fa’idha qara’tal-Qur’ana fasta‘idh billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim
When you recite the Quran seek refuge in Allah from the rejected devil
Three Keys to an Open Heart
Reading the Quran is not only an act of the tongue but of the heart, and the Prophet (pbuh) and the early believers approached it with deep reverence. These three keys prepare the believer to truly receive the words of Allah.
- Seek refuge in Allah from the devil, then begin with the basmalah in His name.
- Recite slowly and clearly, pausing to reflect rather than rushing through the verses.
- Come with a humble and present heart, ready to be guided and changed by the words of Allah.
أَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ الْقُرْآنَ أَمْ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبٍ أَقْفَالُهَا
Afala yatadabbarunal-Qur’ana am ‘ala qulubin aqfaluha
Will they not reflect upon the Quran or are there locks on their hearts
Approaching the Words of Allah with Reverence
The Quran was revealed to be pondered, not merely passed over, and the dua before reading the Quran sets the tone for a reading that engages the heart. When the believer seeks refuge, opens in the name of Allah, and recites with reflection, the Quran becomes a living conversation with his Lord rather than words read in haste. The early believers would weep at its warnings and rejoice at its promises, because they came to it with hearts fully open.
Approaching the book of Allah this way transforms the daily habit of recitation into a source of guidance and peace. It deepens the believer’s bond with the Quran and complements the wider practice of dua after reading the Quran, so that every session with the words of Allah is begun and ended in reverence.
Seeking refuge before you open the Quran clears the path between your heart and the words of Allah. Learn the daily duas with us on YouTube, where the recitations are shared aloud, on Instagram for a reminder before you read, and on LinkedIn where readers share how they connect with the book of Allah.
Frequently Asked Questions
The dua before reading the Quran is the seeking of refuge, Audhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim, I seek refuge in Allah from Satan the rejected. Allah commands it in Surah An-Nahl, and the believer then begins with the basmalah.
Allah commands it in Surah An-Nahl, verse 98, telling the believers that when they recite the Quran they should seek refuge in Allah from the accursed devil. So the dua before reading the Quran is a direct instruction from Allah.
Yes, after seeking refuge the believer begins with the basmalah, in the name of Allah the Most Gracious the Most Merciful, except at the start of Surah At-Tawbah. Together they open the recitation in the name and protection of Allah.
The Quran is guidance that can transform the heart, so the devil works hardest to keep a person from it, filling the mind with distraction and doubt. Seeking refuge first asks Allah to clear that path so the heart can receive His words.
Recite slowly and clearly with a present and humble heart, pausing to reflect on the meanings rather than rushing. The Quran was revealed to be pondered, and reverent recitation lets its guidance reach the heart.
If the pause is short and you stay in the same sitting, you need not repeat the seeking of refuge. If you leave and return later, or speak in between, it is good to seek refuge again before continuing.