You should strive to read the Quran in a nice sounding voice.  One who was given a pleasant voice should strive as much as they are able. This should never resemble the style of music and songs.

Al-Baraa' Ibn 'Aazib may Allah be pleased with him narrated that the Prophet  said: "Beautify the Quran with your voices (i.e. by reciting it in a pleasant nice voice)." (Abu Daawood) The preferred reading is the quiet reading, where one hears himself without disturbing others.

'Uqbah ibn 'Aamir Al-Juhani, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet  said: "He who raises his voice with the Quran is like one who displays his charity and he who lowers his voice with the Quran is like he who gives charity privately." (Abu Daawood)

Except of course that he should be able to hear himself.  It is also without harm to raise one's voice with the Quran sometimes for a particular purpose such as to perfect pronunciation, aid in memorization or to fight drowsiness.  Also included in this is teaching and learning and a condition for all of this is that it is not disturbing others or interrupting their prayer.  

Contemplating the meanings

When you recite the Quran, you should remember the great kindness and favor of Allah upon His creation in allowing the meanings of His speech to enter his mind by means of this Book. You should remember always that what you are reading is unlike any other book. Keep the reality and greatness of the source of the Quran present in your heart and ponder the meanings of what you are reading. This pondering and this understanding is, after all, the point of the Quran and the point of reading it. If it can only be accomplished by repeating verses over and over, then do that and do not rush on to more verses. If you do not understand the Arabic, then read and contemplate a translation of the meanings in your language after each verse you recite while remembering that what you are reading in another language is not the speech of Allah, but only the translation of the meaning.

Abu Tharr, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet  once spent an entire night in contemplation of Allah's statement (that means): “If you punish them, they are your slaves…” [Quran, 5:118].

When you recite the Quran and contemplate its meanings, you should bring as much understanding as possible to each verse you read and get the full benefit of that verse.  So for example, when you read verses that mention the creation of the heavens and the earth, have in your heart and mind the contemplation of the greatness and complexity of all that Allah has created.

When you read about the creation of the fetus from some liquids in the body and the stages it goes through in development, reflect on the great power of Allah in bringing about something so complex from something so simple.  

Staying away from all that blocks or prevents understanding

For example, evil thought may inject into your heart that you have not read correctly and pronounced a letter exactly correctly and so you get stuck on that and forget about concentrating on the meanings. Another cause is if the reciter is engaged in a sin on a continuous basis, or is arrogant or imprisoned by his desires.  All of this is a cause of darkness of the heart and its rust. It is like dirt on a mirror that prevents true vision.

The heart is like a mirror and the desires and distractions are like the dirt and the meanings of the Quran are like the images seen in the mirror. So exercise your heart by setting desires aside and focusing against all distractions as if you are cleaning a mirror.

When you recite the Quran, you must know that you are the one being addressed in the Quran with the promises and the threats. And that its tales were not sent for entertainment but to learn from and take warning. On this basis, you can contemplate the book and act upon its directions. 

A Muslim acknowledges that Allah has ordered him to wear clothing in the verse (which means):"O Children of Adam! Take your adornment (by wearing your clean clothes) while praying and going round the Ka'bah, and eat and drink but waste not by extravagance. Certainly, He (Allah) likes not the extravagant."[Quran 7:31]

Clothing is also a bounty from Allah, as He Says (what means): "O Children of Adam! We have bestowed raiment upon you to cover yourselves (screen your private parts) and as an adornment. And the raiment of righteousness is best..."[Quran 7:26]

Allah also Says (what means): "And We taught him the making of metal coats of mail (for battles), to protect you in fighting. Will you then not be grateful?”[Quran 21:80]

Allah's Messenger  (may Allah exalt his mention) also ordered such in his statement: "Eat, drink, dress and give in charity without extravagance or arrogance." [Al-Bukhari]

Therefore, Allah's Messenger  made clear what type of clothing is permissible and what is impermissible. He also showed what is preferred for a Muslim to wear and what is disliked. Therefore, a Muslim should adhere to the following etiquette with respect to dress:

1. A Muslim (man) should not wear silk on his clothing, head covering or anything else except what has been legislated in extreme cases like skin diseases etc. This is because Allah's Messenger  stated: "Do not wear silk, for the one who wears it in this world will not wear it in the Hereafter."[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

2. A man’s garment, pants, head covering or cloak should not be so long as to go below the ankles. This prohibition is based on the statement of Allah's Messenger  that: "What goes below the ankles of the waist-cloth will be punished in the Hell fire." [Al-Bukhari]

Allah's Messenger  also said: "The one who lengthens the cloak, shirt and turban out of pride will not be looked at with approval on the Day of Resurrection." [An-Nasaa’i]

Allah's Messenger  also said: "Allah does not look at the one who lowers his garment out of arrogance." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]


3. Though all colors are permissible to wear, a Muslim should give preference to white clothing over other colors. Allah's Messenger  said: "Wear white clothing for it is purer and better. And shroud your deceased in (white)." [An-Nasaa’i]

4. A Muslim woman should lower her garment until it fully covers her feet. She should also draw down her head covering so that it covers her neck and chest. Allah has Said (what means): "O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies."[Quran 33:59]

Allah also Says (what means): "(And tell the believing women to) draw their veils all over their faces, necks and bosoms and not to reveal their adornment except' to their husbands, their fathers..."[Quran 24:31]

'Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, stated regarding the above-mentioned verse: "May Allah have mercy on the women who migrated from Makkah to Al-Madeenah. When Allah revealed this verse: ‘And tell the believing women to draw their veils all over their faces, necks and bosoms’, they tore apart their thick woolen garments and wore them as head coverings."

A Muslim male should not wear gold. Allah's Messenger  said about gold and silk: “These are forbidden for the males of my Nation.” [Abu Daawood]

Allah's Messenger  also said: "Wearing silk and gold has been forbidden for the males of my Nation and is permissible for its females."[At-Tirmithi]

Allah's Messenger  saw a man wearing a gold ring and he took it off his finger and threw it aside, saying: "One of you takes a burning coal of fire and puts it on his hand." After Allah's Messenger  left, it was said to the man: ‘Take your ring and benefit from it. (i.e. sell it and use its price).’ He replied: ‘No, by Allah, I will never take it after Allah's Messenger  threw it away.’" [Muslim]

5. There is no harm in a Muslim male having a silver ring or engraving his name on it to use it as adornment or as a type of engraving stamp for his letters or books, or as a kind of signature. Allah's Messenger  used to have a silver ring that had engraved on it, "Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah" and he used to wear it on the little finger of his left hand. Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, stated: "The ring of Allah's Messenger  was on this" and he pointed to the little finger of his left hand.[Muslim]

6. A person should not wrap himself completely with a large garment in such a way that he cannot get his hands out of it. Allah's Messenger  has prohibited such a manner of dress. 


Similarly, a person should not walk wearing only one shoe. Allah's Messenger  said: "You should not walk wearing one shoe only. Either walk barefoot or wear both of them together." [Al-Bukhari]

7. A Muslim man is not allowed to wear the dress of a woman and a Muslim woman is not allowed to wear the dress of a man.

Allah's Messenger  stated: "Allah curses the effeminate men and the masculine women." [Al-Bukhari]

He  also said: "Allah curses the man who wears women's clothing and the woman who wears men's clothing. He also curses the men who imitate women and the women who imitate men." [Al-Bukhari]

8. When a person puts on his shoes, it is recommended to begin with the right foot. And when he takes them off, it is recommended to take off the left shoe first. This is based on the Prophet's statement: "If one of you puts on his shoes, let him begin with the right. And when he takes them off, he should begin with the left." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

9. When a person puts on any clothing, he should begin from the right side. Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, stated: "Allah's Messenger  loved to begin with the right in all his matters, in putting on his shoes, in combing his hair and in purifying himself."[Muslim]


10. Upon wearing a new garment or any new clothing, the person should say: "O Allah, to You is the Praise. You are the One Who clothed me by it. I ask You for its good and the good of what it was made for. And I seek refuge in You from its evil and the evil of what it was made for." [Abu Daawood]

11. A Muslim should pray for his Muslim brother when he sees him wearing new clothes by saying: "May you wear it until it disintegrates and falls apart (that is, for a long, blessed time)." [Al-Bukhari]

Allah's Messenger  made that supplication when he saw, Umm Khaalid, may Allah be pleased with her, wearing new clothing. [Al-Bukhari]

A Muslim considers most animals to be deserving of a certain level of respect as creatures. He shows mercy to them due to the mercy of Allah upon them. He also adheres to the following manners with respect to them, which are part of the etiquettes that Islam encourages Muslims to fulfill:

1. A Muslim feeds or gives water to an animal if he finds it hungry or thirsty. This is based on the Messenger's  statement: ”There is a reward (for serving) everything with a moist liver (that is, every living creature).” [Ahmad]

2. A Muslim should have compassion and mercy towards animals. The Prophet  said: “Whoever does not show mercy will not be shown mercy.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

He  said in other narration: “Have mercy toward those on the Earth and The One above the Heavens will have mercy on you.” [At-Tabaraani]

The Prophet  himself set the best example in this regard. When he  saw a group of people using a live animal for archery target practice, he  said: “May Allah curse the one who uses any creature with a soul as a target.” [Muslim]

Once a bird was distressed because someone had taken its young from her nest. Allah's Messenger  then said: “Who has distressed this one because of its baby. Return its baby to her.” [Abu Daawood]

3. The Muslim must be kind to the animal, even when he is about to slaughter it. Allah's Messenger  has said: “Verily, Allah has prescribed excellence in all things. Thus, if you kill, kill in a kind manner. If you slaughter, slaughter in a kind manner. Each of you should sharpen his blade and spare suffering to the animal he is slaughtering.” [Muslim]

4. A Muslim should never torture an animal by any means of torture, such as beating it, making it carry more than it can handle, mutilating it or burning it by a fire. The Prophet  also prohibited the tying down of animals until they die. Allah's Messenger  once said: “A woman entered the Hell-fire because of a cat that she tied down. She neither fed it nor let it free to eat the insects of the earth until it died.” [Al-Bukhari]

Allah's Messenger  once passed by an anthill that had been burnt to the ground and he  said: “It is not becoming that anyone should punish by fire except the Lord of the Fire.” [Abu Daawood]

However, it is permissible to kill the harmful animals, such as voracious dogs, wolves, snakes, scorpions, rats etc. This is based on the Prophet's  statement: “Five noxious or harmful animals are to be killed whether or not one is in the state of pilgrimage: the snake, the speckled raven that has whiteness either on its back or stomach, the rat, the voracious dog and the kite (a bird similar to a hawk).” [Muslim]

It is also confirmed from Allah's Messenger  that he cursed the scorpion and killed it. [Al-Bayhaqi]

Other related matters:

1. It is allowed to brand grazing animals in their ears for some overriding need. The Prophet  was seen branding, by his own hand, the camels given in charity. As for other than camels, sheep, goats and cows, it is not allowed to brand them. The Prophet  saw a donkey branded on his face and said: “May Allah curse the one who branded that (donkey) on its face.” [Muslim]

2. One must recognize the right of Allah concerning his animals by paying the Zakah due on them if they are from the animals concerning which one must pay Zakah.

3. One must not become so preoccupied with animals or playing with them that one disobeys Allah, or does not remember Allah properly. Allah has said, (what means): "O you who believe! Let not your properties or your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah." [Quran 63:9]

Allah's Messenger  stated concerning horses: "A horse may be kept for one of three reasons. For one man, it may be a source of reward, for another it may be a source of living and yet for another it may be a sinful burden. As for the one for whom it is a source of reward, he is the one who keeps his horse for the sake of Jihaad in Allah's cause (i.e. fighting); he ties it with a long rope in a pasture or in a garden. So whatever its rope allows it to eat will be regarded as good, rewardable deeds (for its owner). And if it breaks off its rope and jumps over one or two hillocks, even its dung will be considered among his good deeds. A horse is a shelter for the one who keeps it so that he may earn his living honestly and takes it as a refuge to keep him from following forbidden means. (The third is) a horse is a sinful burden for him who keeps it out of pretense and show and with the intention of harming Muslims." [Al-Bukhari]

These are, in general, the etiquettes that a Muslim should adhere to with respect to animals, out of obedience to Allah and His Messenger  and in adherence to what the Islamic law has ordered him… the Sharee'ah of mercy… the Sharee'ah of general goodness for all creatures, be they human or animal.