Reading the Quran in English alongside the Arabic is one of the best ways for non-Arabic speakers to connect with the meanings of the Book of Allah. To help our students and visitors, Midad Institute offers free Noble Quran in English pages on our website.
What you will find on our Quran in English pages
- All 114 surahs, each on its own page.
- The Arabic text of every verse (from the Tanzil Project).
- The English translation by Marmaduke Pickthall under each verse — you can hide it if you want to read the Arabic only.
- Audio recitation to listen to, verse by verse.
Listen to famous Egyptian reciters
You can choose between recitations by some of the most beloved Egyptian reciters:
- Mahmoud Khalil Al-Husary (murattal and mujawwad)
- Mohamed Siddiq Al-Minshawi
- Abdul Basit Abdul Samad (murattal and mujawwad)
- Mustafa Ismail
- Mahmoud Ali Al-Banna
- Mohamed Mahmoud Al-Tablawi
Listening carefully to these reciters is excellent training for your ear and your Tajweed.
How to get the most from the Quran in English pages
- Read the Arabic first, then the English. Even if you only recognise a few words, your eye gets used to the Arabic script.
- Listen while you read. Follow the Arabic text as the reciter recites, verse by verse, to connect the sound with the letters.
- Repeat short passages. Choose one reciter and listen to the same short surah several times; it is an easy way to begin memorizing.
- Hide the translation once you know the meaning, and test yourself on the Arabic alone.
Good surahs to start with
If you are new to reading the Qur’an in English, these are good places to begin:
- Surah Al-Fatihah — the opening of the Book, recited in every prayer.
- Surah Yusuf — the story of the Prophet Yusuf, which begins by telling us the Qur’an was revealed in Arabic so that we may understand.
- Surah Ya-Sin, Surah Ar-Rahman and Surah Al-Mulk.
Why a translation is only the beginning
A translation is a valuable help — but it can never express the full meaning of the deep, rich words of the Arabic language, especially in the Qur’an. That is why so many scholars learnt Arabic in order to unlock its secrets, and why our mission at Midad is to help people understand the Qur’an directly, without the barrier of translation.
If reading the Quran in English has made you want to understand the Arabic itself, we can help you take the next step:
- Learn to read the Qur’an from the alphabet, then Tajweed, memorization and Ijazah — see our Qur’anic Programme.
- Learn the Arabic language — the Imam Ibn Saud series in our Intermediate Level is ideal for those learning Arabic to understand the Qur’an and traditional texts.
Frequently asked questions
Is it free?
Yes, reading and listening on our Quran pages is free.
Which English translation is used?
The translation of Marmaduke Pickthall.
How much do Qur’an lessons cost?
Private lessons are $8 per hour; groups are $4 or $2.50 per hour. See fees — and you get a free trial lesson before signing up.
Midad Institute (Midad Centre) has taught Arabic, the Qur’an and Islamic sciences online to non-Arabic speakers since 2017. Our teachers have more than 15 years of experience, online and in Egypt.
