tilawah

Tilawah is the recitation of the Qur'an, performed aloud or quietly, according to a set of rules governing pronunciation and intonation. The term comes from the Arabic root t-l-w and the noun tilawah refers to the act of reciting the Qur'an in a melodious and measured manner, often from memory or from a written copy.

In practice, tilawah encompasses the formal recitation used in daily prayers, study sessions, and public gatherings, as well as personal devotion. Most Islamic traditions emphasize reciting with tajweed, the system of rules that govern articulation, elongation, pauses, and the joining of sounds to preserve the Qur'anic text's meaning and beauty. The Quranic canon acknowledges multiple qira'at or canonical readings, and a reciter typically adheres to one accepted mode of recitation.

Tilawah can be performed individually or in groups, in mosques, homes, or educational settings. It is often paired with tadabbur, or reflection upon the verses, though tilawah itself denotes the act of recitation rather than interpretation.

Significance varies by tradition, but tilawah is generally regarded as a devotional act that nurtures memory, spirituality, and a sense of connection with the divine. It remains a central practice in many Muslim communities during Ramadan and other occasions, as well as in everyday personal worship.