Starting your recitation
الاستعاذة والبسملة
How to begin reading with isti'adhah and basmalah, and when to join or separate them.
Why we begin with it
Before reciting, the reader seeks refuge in Allah (isti'adhah), then says the basmalah at the start of a surah. This settles the heart and marks the beginning of Quranic speech, separate from ordinary talk.
The four ways of joining
You may (1) pause after each phrase, (2) join isti'adhah to basmalah then pause, (3) pause after isti'adhah then join basmalah to the first ayah, or (4) join all three in one breath. All four are correct — choose what your breath allows.
Surah At-Tawbah
Surah At-Tawbah (9) has no basmalah at its start. If you begin there, recite only the isti'adhah.
Examples
أَعُوذُ بِٱللَّهِ مِنَ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنِ ٱلرَّجِيمِ
a'ūdhu billāhi mina-sh-shayṭāni-r-rajīm
Keep the madd in ‘a'ūdhu’ natural — two counts, not stretched.
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
bismi-llāhi-r-raḥmāni-r-raḥīm
The ر in ٱلرَّحْمَٰن is heavy (tafkheem) because of the fatḥah.
Interactive practice
Clear lām shamsiyyah assimilation and a steady two-count madd.
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
bismi-llāhi-r-raḥmāni-r-raḥīm · Al-Fatihah 1:1
Quiz
1. Which surah is not started with the basmalah?
2. The isti'adhah is…
Lesson status
Quiz —% · Pronunciation —% · pass mark 80% on both.