Learn with Ijazah-holding Al-Azhar teachers. Your first 30-minute lesson is free.
Are you a new Muslim who wants to learn the Quran but cannot read Arabic? Many reverts are in the same situation. The good news: you can learn to read the Quran at any age, step by step, with explanations in English. Here is a simple, realistic path.
Step 1: the surahs for prayer
The priority is being able to pray. Start with Al-Fātiḥah, then a few short surahs (Al-Ikhlāṣ, Al-Falaq, An-Nās), learned by listening and repeating with a teacher, using transliteration at first if needed. At the same time, learn their meaning in English.
Step 2: learn to read Arabic
With the Noorani Qaida or Noor Al-Bayan you learn the letters, the vowels and reading words. Most adults who study regularly can read simple verses after a few months. What matters is pronouncing correctly from the start.
Step 3: recite with tajweed
Once you can read, tajweed teaches you to recite properly: lengthening, nasal sounds, heavy letters. It is learned mainly by listening and being corrected.
Step 4: memorize at your own pace
After that you can memorize Juz ‘Amma, and more if you wish, with a revision plan that fits your schedule.
Common difficulties (and how to overcome them)
- Sounds that do not exist in English (ع ح خ ق ض): they need practice with a teacher who corrects by ear.
- Right-to-left writing: you get used to it in a few lessons.
- Lack of time: 30 minutes twice a week, plus 10 minutes a day, is enough to progress.
- Feeling awkward starting from zero: in a one-to-one lesson, nobody judges you.
Why a teacher rather than videos?
Videos help, but they cannot hear you. A teacher corrects every letter, adapts the pace and answers your questions about meaning and prayer. At Al-Azhar Message Academy lessons are one-to-one, in English if you wish, with Al-Azhar graduates; sisters study with female teachers only. See online Quran classes for adults.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can I pray before I can read Arabic?
Yes. You first learn Al-Fātiḥah and a few surahs by listening and repeating, while you learn to read.
Ready to start? Book your free 30-minute trial lesson now.
How long does it take to read the Quran starting from zero?
It depends on regularity; many adults read simple verses after a few months of regular lessons.
Can the lessons be entirely in English?
Yes. Explanations are given in English; only the recitation itself is in Arabic.
Start today: one-to-one lessons with Al-Azhar graduates, and a free trial before you pay.