Learn Quran from Scratch – Reading, Tajweed, and Arabic Made Easy

Learning Quran is no longer limited to finding a local imam or attending daily classes. 

Today, you can learn Quran online, at your own pace – even by yourself.

This step-by-step guide is perfect for Quran beginners who want to:

• Learn to read the Quran fluently, with proper Tajweed
• Start understanding the Quran in its original language – Classical Arabic

I’ve personally tested each resource shared here. 

Whether you want to learn Quran by yourself or are searching for the best free platforms to master Tajweed, this guide has everything you need to start with confidence.

Let’s begin your journey.

Learning the Quran: Is It About Reading or Understanding?

That’s a question many beginners ask – and the answer depends on where you currently stand in your journey.

For most people, especially online searchers, “learning the Quran” often means being able to read it correctly. And that’s an excellent starting point.

But learning the Quran goes beyond just how to read Quran. It’s really about two major goals: to read Quran correctly, and to understand Quran without relying on translation.

Fluent reading means you’ve mastered the Arabic alphabet and Tajweed rules, which allows you to recite the Quran smoothly and accurately on your own.

Understanding, on the other hand, takes you a step deeper. When you aim to comprehend the Quran without a translation, you’re essentially beginning to learn Classical Arabic – the language in which the Quran was revealed.

So whether you’re just starting or you’ve been reading the Quran for years and want to polish your skills further, this guide offers a clear and practical roadmap to help you do both:

• Read with confidence
• Understand with clarity

How to Read the Quran With Fluency

Whether you’re a native Arabic speaker or a complete beginner, every student of the Quran starts with one key step: learning the Arabic letters.

Why? Because Arabic letters are unlike those in many other languages – they change shape depending on where they appear in a word. 

And to read the Quran fluently, you need to do more than just recognize the letters. You need to understand how they sound, how they connect, and how to pronounce them correctly.

Here’s what fluency in Quran reading involves, especially if you’re focusing on basic Tajweed rules and learning the proper rules to read Quran correctly.

Arabic letters have distinct forms and specific sounds. Some look similar but sound completely different. Getting these right is essential from day one.

In Arabic, each letter comes from a specific place in the mouth or throat. These articulation points (Makharij) and attributes (Sifaat) determine how the letter should sound.

If pronounced incorrectly, it could change the meaning of a word or even an entire verse (Ayah).

Tajweed is the science of Quranic pronunciation. It’s not optional – it’s what helps you recite the Quran the way it was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

Many beginners make the mistake of skipping Tajweed or learning it too late. But if your pronunciation is off from the beginning, it can lead to hard-to-break habits that make recitation more difficult later.

A misplaced letter…
An extra stretch…
A missed stop…

These can all lead to incorrect meanings. That’s why it’s crucial to start strong – with the right guidance.

The best way to build this foundation is to learn Noorani Qaida, a tried-and-tested method that helps you learn Quran with Tajweed right from the start.

We highly recommend the free Noorani Qaida course by Imam Hassan Raza, which takes you from absolute zero to confidently reading the Quran.

What makes this course special?

Imam Hassan Raza teaches using a simple, clear, and natural style. You won’t feel overwhelmed at any point. Each concept is introduced gradually, and his calm teaching style makes the learning process smooth and stress-free.

You can follow along with his lessons on YouTube. But if you find it hard to manage the playlist, don’t worry – we’ve organized all the lessons here in order for your convenience.

Topics covered in this course:

Lesson 1	Learning the Arabic alphabet
Lesson 2	Understanding Harakat (short vowels)
Lesson 3	Sukoon (stillness in letters)
Lesson 4	Madd Lazim (rules of elongation)
Lesson 5	Rules for Noon and Meem Sakinah
Lesson 6	Huroof’ul Muqatta’ah (disconnected letters at the start of some Surahs)
Lesson 7	Where and how to stop and pause correctly

We’re sincerely thankful to Imam Hassan Raza for granting permission to use and share his course materials. May Allah (SWT) accept his efforts and make this knowledge a source of reward for him.

Want to Practice Offline?

You can also download the Noorani Qaida PDF and learn to read Quran for free at your own pace, following proper Tajweed rules from day one.

Understand the Quran Without Translation

Once you’re comfortable reading the Quran, the next step is to understand Quran in Arabic. 

This involves learning Quranic grammar basics and stepping into Quranic Arabic—the language the Quran was revealed in.

When you aim to understand the Quran without relying on translation, you begin the journey of learning Classical Arabic – the form of Arabic preserved in the Quran for over 1,400 years.

Three Types of Arabic: What You Need to Know

Arabic, like many languages, has evolved over time and now exists in three major forms:

• Spoken Arabic – Used in everyday conversation; differs by region (e.g., Egyptian, Levantine, Gulf dialects).
• Standard Arabic – Also called Modern Standard Arabic (MSA); used in media and formal communication.
• Classical Arabic – The original form of Arabic used in the Quran and classical Islamic texts.

To understand the Quran in its purest form, you need to study Classical Arabic.

The Difference Made Simple (With an English Example)

Let’s look at how language changes over time using English:

Sentence:
“The world’s population has grown to an extent that we should use our resources very carefully.”

Now, let’s say the same idea in three different English styles:

1. Gen Z / Spoken English: “There are so many people in the world now, we really gotta be smart with how we use our stuff.”
2. Standard Modern English: “The world’s population has grown so much that we need to use our resources wisely.”
3. Shakespearean English (Early Modern): “The multitude of mankind hath waxed so great that we must perforce employ our provisions with prudence.”

See the difference?

Most of us today can understand the first two easily. But the third? It requires study and familiarity. That’s exactly what happens with Arabic too.

How to Learn Classical Arabic (Even If You’re Just Starting Out)

If you’ve already gone through Noorani Qaida and can read the Quran, you’re more than ready to start learning Arabic.

All you need is: 

• A well-structured course
• A teacher (or recorded instructor) who makes things simple
• Patience and consistency

Here are two of the most reliable, beginner-friendly resources if you’re looking for an effective Classical Arabic course for Quran.

1. Dream Big (English – Free + Premium)

What it is:
A foundational program designed to teach you Classical Arabic from the ground up, led by the well-known Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan.

Why it stands out:

• Focused on Quranic vocabulary and grammar
• Engaging, easy-to-understand teaching style
• A perfect bridge between reading and understanding Quran

What you get:

• 10 free videos to build your basics
• Option to continue learning through Bayyinah TV for just $4.50/month

This video will give you a clear idea of Ustadh Nouman’s teaching style and what to expect from the program.

2. Lisan ul Quran by Amir Sohail (Urdu – Free YouTube Course)

What it is:
A free 38-lecture video course in Urdu that teaches Classical Arabic step by step. Each lesson is around 30 minutes, totaling roughly 19 hours.

Why it’s great:

• Ideal for Urdu-speaking learners
• Practical, simple, and focused on Quranic understanding
• 100% free and accessible on YouTube

Start with the first video to see how clearly the concepts are explained.

Choose the course that suits your language and learning style best. Whether you prefer English or Urdu, the goal is the same:

To understand the Quran in the language Allah chose for His final message.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is Noorani Qaida?

Noorani Qaida is a small instructional booklet designed to help beginners learn how to read the Quran, starting from the Arabic alphabet and progressing through the basics of Tajweed.

In Arabic, “Qaida” means “a foundational book,” and “Noorani” comes from the name of its compiler – Sheikh Noor Muhammad Haqqani, a respected Indian scholar.

Whether you’re an Arab or a non-Arab, Noorani Qaida is widely recognized as the ideal starting point for anyone who wants to learn Quranic recitation with proper rules.

What does Noorani Qaida teach?

It covers all the basics, including:

• Arabic letter recognition and pronunciation
• Combining letters into words
• Understanding and applying basic Tajweed rules
• Reading Quranic words and Ayahs fluently
• Smoothly transitioning from Noorani Qaida to reading the Quran itself
  

There are other alternatives like Noor Al Bayan, Yassarnal Quran, and Qurani Qaida, but Noorani Qaida remains the most popular – mainly because of how simple, clear, and effective its approach is.

Another great feature? Helpful notes on every page that make it easier for students to understand tricky concepts.

However, we strongly believe that having a qualified Quran teacher makes all the difference – especially when it comes to pronunciation (Makharij).

If you’re just starting out, we recommend the free Noorani Qaida video course by Imam Hassan Raza, who teaches everything in an incredibly simple and accessible way.

What is Tajweed?

Tajweed (تَجويد) comes from the Arabic word meaning “to beautify” or “to make better.”
In the context of Quranic recitation, it refers to the set of rules that guide how each letter and word should be pronounced exactly as the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ recited them.

Why is Tajweed important?

• It preserves the original pronunciation of the Quran
• It prevents misreading or altering meanings
• It connects you to the authentic way the Quran was revealed

When you learn Tajweed, you’re not just learning pronunciation – you’re honoring the accuracy and beauty of the Quran itself.

Why Classical Arabic Is So Rich (and Worth Learning)

Unlike other evolving languages, Classical Arabic remains untouched. The Quran was revealed in it, and it has been carefully preserved ever since.

Back in the day, Arabia was an isolated region with no foreign linguistic influence. The people – especially poets and scholars – had an extremely rich vocabulary and a love for linguistic precision.

For example, Arabs had dozens of words for “camel,” depending on age, condition, or even mood:

• A young camel
• A pregnant camel
• A dying camel
• A camel separated from its herd
  And the list goes on…

This linguistic richness gave the Quran an unmatched depth, and learning this language opens the door to understanding its miracles directly.