Regulations on Seeking Refuge
The scholars hold differing views on the ruling concerning seeking refuge (استعاذة) before reciting the Quran. The majority view it as a Sunnah (commendable act), while some classify it as obligatory. Apart from the scholarly disagreements regarding the ruling, it is essential to note that there are several scenarios concerning seeking refuge, which are detailed below:
- Whispering the Invocation: Seeking refuge should be performed quietly in certain situations, including: during prayer, whether it is silent or audible; when reciting the Quran quietly; when reciting in a group where one is not the initiator; and when reciting alone.
- Declaring the Invocation Loudly: A reader should seek refuge aloud in two specific scenarios: firstly, when reciting the Quran out loud in the presence of listeners; and secondly, when in a teaching or study environment and being the first to read.
Regulations on Saying “Bismillah”
Reciting “Bismillah” (In the name of Allah) at the beginning of each surah (chapter) of the Quran is a confirmed Sunnah, with the exception of Surah At-Tawbah (Chapter of Repentance). All seven reciters of the Quran agree on commencing each surah with “Bismillah”, whether starting after a pause or without interruption, meaning it applies whether continuing after a break from recitation or resuming after a pause at the end of a surah. In both cases, it is necessary for all reciters to say “Bismillah”. However, saying “Bismillah” in the middle of a surah is preferable but not obligatory; the reader has the option to include it or not, although it is recommended to do so. If a reader intends to recite two surahs, they can connect them in several ways: either pause at the end of the first surah, recite “Bismillah”, pause, and then begin the second surah; or pause at the end of the first surah, recite “Bismillah”, and connect it directly to the beginning of the second surah; or combine the end of the first surah with “Bismillah” and the start of the second without pausing. However, it is incorrect for the reader to join the end of the second surah with “Bismillah”, pause, and then begin the second surah. If the second surah to be recited is Surah At-Tawbah after completing Surah Al-Anfal, then there are specific conditions: either pause at the end of Surah Al-Anfal with or without a breath before starting Surah At-Tawbah, or directly connect the end of Surah Al-Anfal with the beginning of Surah At-Tawbah, keeping in mind the rules regarding the merging of verses.
Regulations on the Encounter of “Bismillah” with Seeking Refuge
When commencing the reading from the beginning of a surah, excluding Surah At-Tawbah, there are four approaches available: the reader may pause after seeking refuge, pause again after saying “Bismillah”, and then begin the surah; or pause after seeking refuge, say “Bismillah”, and begin the surah directly; or recite both seeking refuge and “Bismillah” in a continuous manner and then pause before commencing the surah; or recite seeking refuge, “Bismillah”, and the beginning of the surah continuously without pausing at all. However, if the surah the reader intends to begin with is Surah At-Tawbah, there are only two methods: first, to say seeking refuge, then pause before starting the surah; and second, to connect the invocation with the beginning of the surah without pausing.