What do I do when I finish reading the Quran?
Mostly, you thank Allah, make a heartfelt dua and begin again. There is no required ritual for finishing the Quran. Many Muslims make a special dua after completing it, often with family, and then start a new round straight away. Finishing is a good moment to reflect on what you have learned and plan your next step.
First, give thanks
Finishing the whole Quran is a real achievement, whether you read it in Arabic or in translation. Start with gratitude: it was Allah who made it easy for you. The Prophet ﷺ taught that the Quran will be "a proof on your behalf or against you" (Sahih Muslim 223). So it is natural to ask Allah to make it a proof in your favour, a light for your heart and a guide in your daily life.
Make dua
- Dua for acceptance: ask Allah to accept your reading and to forgive any mistakes or shortcomings.
- Dua for benefit: ask that the Quran becomes a light for your heart and a cure for worry and sadness.
- Dua for family and the community: early Muslims, such as the Companion Anas ibn Malik, are reported to have gathered their families when they finished the Quran and made dua together.
You can make this dua in your own words in any language. There's no single fixed text that you must use. See Can I make dua in my own words?
Some people also recite al-Fatiha and the first verses of al-Baqarah right after finishing, to show that the Quran is a continuing journey. Some scholars mention this custom, but it is optional and not an obligation.
Then start again
The Quran is meant to be returned to again and again. Jibril used to review the Quran with the Prophet ﷺ once every year, and twice in the year he died (Sahih al-Bukhari 4998). Many Muslims follow this example by starting a new round soon after finishing, perhaps in Ramadan or at a pace that fits their lives. Don't rush to finish quickly: the Prophet ﷺ said that whoever recites the Quran in less than three days does not understand it (Sunan Abi Dawud 1394). See How long does it take to read the whole Quran?
Go deeper this time
If your first round was about reading, make your next one about understanding. Allah says the Quran is blessed so that people may "contemplate its verses":
You could read a trusted tafsir alongside it, memorize a surah, or follow a study circle. See Can I read tafsir by myself as a new Muslim? A steady daily routine makes the next round easier. See How do I build a daily Quran reading habit?
- There's no required ritual after finishing the Quran.
- Thank Allah and make dua in your own words.
- Start a new round soon, following the Prophet's ﷺ yearly review with Jibril.
- Use your next round to understand, reflect and act.
People also ask
What do the symbols in the Quran mean?
Usually they are small marks showing where to stop, where a verse ends and where to prostrate. A guide to the common symbols in a printed Quran.
Read the full answer →What do the colors in a tajweed Quran mean?
Usually each colour marks a tajweed rule: grey for silent letters, warm shades for stretching, green for nasal sounds, blue for echo. Check your key.
Read the full answer →Is Quranic Arabic different from modern Arabic?
Yes, somewhat. The Quran is in Classical Arabic; Modern Standard Arabic grew out of it, but vocabulary and style differ and dialects differ more.
Read the full answer →How was the Quran revealed to Prophet Muhammad?
Mostly through the angel Jibril, in parts, over about 23 years. The Quran was revealed gradually in response to events, beginning in the cave of Hira.
Read the full answer →How was the Quran compiled after the Prophet died?
Mostly in two steps: Abu Bakr had the Quran gathered into one set after Yamamah, and Uthman later copied it into standard books for the main cities.
Read the full answer →