By Muhammad Syafiq Bin Marzuki

1 — My Journey Until Iqra’ 3

My Quran journey has been long, and honestly, a bit surprising. Around ten years ago, I actually completed Iqra 6, from then i have actually stop learning as my then teacher have retired.

At that point, I thought my recitation was fine and that I understood the basics. For many years, I continued reading on my own, thinking that everything was correct.

BUT WHEN I JOINED THIS QURAN CLASS AGAIN, I REALISED HOW MANY TAJWID MISTAKES I HAD BEEN MAKING WITHOUT KNOWING.

Simple things like the stretching of letters, the way certain sounds should come out, and even some pronunciations all this time, I had been reading them wrongly. At first, it felt discouraging, but it also made me realise how important proper learning is.

Coming back to Iqra 3 now feels different from years ago. Before, I was just “completing the books.” Now, my intention is to correct myself, to slow down, and to learn properly.

It has been humbling to start again, but it also feels like Allah is giving me a chance to rebuild my foundation. I am grateful for this opportunity, and I pray I continue improving.

2 — Etiquette of Recitation

From the book of Imam al-Nawawi’s Etiquette of Recitation, I learned that reading the Qur’an is not only about reciting correctly, it is also about manners and behaviour.

One point that touched me was the idea of greeting out of respect when someone righteous or elderly walks by. But the important part is that it must be done sincerely, not to show off. This reminded me that Quran students should always carry humility.

I also learned that if someone gives salam while I am reciting, it is actually obligatory to reply. This shows that Islam teaches balance, respecting the Quran while also respecting people.

Another thing was about sneezing. Even during recitation, we still follow the Sunnah: saying alhamdulillah when sneezing, and yarhamukallah when someone else sneezes. It made me realise that Islamic manners continue at all times.

When the adhan is heard, we should pause our recitation and respond to it. This taught me that answering Allah’s call comes first, and that recitation is part of preparing the heart to respond quickly.

One more thing I found meaningful was the part about someone asking a question while we are reciting. We can answer by gesture, or by speech if needed. This teaches kindness and good character. The Quran is meant to make us better people, not harsh or disconnected.

These etiquettes made me realise that reciting the Quran is a full act of worship.

3 — What I Learned About Tajwīd

Another big part of this class was learning where each letter’s sound actually comes from the makhraj. This was something I never learned properly before.

From the pictures, I learned the basic areas:

Some letters come from the throat.
Some letters come from the tongue, pressing at different parts of the mouth.
Some come from the lips, like ب and م.

I always thought I knew how to pronounce letters, but when my mentor (Wasim) explained the makhraj, I realised that many of my sounds were coming from the wrong place. For example, I learned that certain letters require the tongue to press at specific points, not just anywhere. Even small differences change the meaning.

Learning this made me appreciate how detailed and beautiful Quran recitation is. It is not random every sound has a proper place.

Even though I am still learning, I feel more aware of how I use my tongue, lips, and throat. It makes me want to improve even more.

4 — Conclusion

In conclusion, time in the classes reminded me that the Qur’an is a journey of sincerity, not perfection. It is okay to start again, to correct mistakes, and to admit weaknesses. What matters is that I am trying.

This class showed me that the Quran is not just about reading words. It is about adab, tajwid, discipline, and building a relationship with Allah. I hope that as I continue learning, the Quran becomes a part of my daily life, softening my heart and improving my character.