Memorising the Qur'ān is a challenging task that requires patience, dedication, and effort. It involves reciting verses out loud for extended periods and this can take a toll on your voice.
Depending on what you do, your recitation can put a strain on your voice, leading to hoarseness, fatigue, and other vocal problems. Although much of this is rare whilst reciting and memorising the Qur'ān, there are many people that may find themselves facing a problem. This might be because you're not used to reciting so much, you're reciting a lot (like in Ramadān), you find that your voice loses strength quickly, your throat goes dry, and you find difficulties when reciting out loud.
So to ensure that your voice stays healthy and maintained, it's important to take proper care of it. It's important to have simple but effective care and maintenance routines.
This is something that is hardly mentioned and discussed by teachers nor something considered by students until a problem presents itself. So I'll share my thoughts and experiences with you. And discuss the best practices for keeping your voice healthy and strong while you work towards memorising the Qur'ān.
The advice is particularly relevant to those that also teach and speak often and those who recite the Qur'ān in public gatherings (the Qurrā'). I will give references to singing for this very reason and derive points from the practices around singing, public speaking and reciting.
How to manage your voice for Qur'ān recitation
When Shaykh Tāriq (the son of al-Qāri’ Shaykh ‘Abd al-Bāsit ‘Abd as-Samad) was asked about how ‘Abd al-Bāsit kept his throat (in great condition), he said:
“My father, may Allāh have mercy on him, used to be very careful (and attentive) with his voice. He used to sleep about two hours before any gathering until the throat was completely relaxed. He was (of those who) ate little and did not strain (or overload) his stomach, and he was (of those who) spoke little because regular speech strains the throat and hurts it. He avoided spicy foods and very cold and very hot drinks. He would not stand in front of fans or the air conditioner, and he did not open the car window. And if they were leaving the house, he would wait for a little at the door so that he would not be exposed to the cold air, and he would warm his neck with a scarf.”
Just like that, you see there are a number of things you must think about to maintain a healthy voice and throat.
There are different things to consider.
Recite the Qur'ān with a moderate pitch and vocal range
Some of you will be reciting the Qur'ān out loud every day the first time in your life. You're not used to using your voice in this way. This is why you might find yourself feeling a sore throat or feeling a strain on your voice.
It is also important to avoid using any extremes of your vocal range, like reaching a level that appears as though you are screaming, or even whispering, as this can stress your voice. You should be reciting at a volume where you are neither whispering nor very loud. You should be loud enough so that you can hear yourself. Should you want to recite silently, for whatever reason, that's another discussion.
Also understanding your voice type can make a difference especially when you like to recite louder and more melodiously (mujawwad style). If you have a voice that is very deep, you should be reciting in a way that matches your pitch. So if you have a voice similar to Yunus Aswailis, you should be reciting like that. If you have a voice that is similar in pitch to that of Shaykh Khalil al-Husary, Imam Sudais, or say Maryam Amir. you should be reciting like that. If you try to recite like someone who has a higher pitch than your voice pitch, you will strain your voice. Sisters can try to find other female reciters that have similar pitches to their own.
You must also avoid regular phonotraumatic behaviours such as yelling, screaming, loud talking, throat-clearing, sound produced during play (e.g., superhero, animal, or baby sounds), and singing too loudly. These cause trauma to the laryngeal mechanism (vocal folds) as the result of such vocal behaviours. To reduce the risk of a voice injury, always exercise reasonable use of your voice.
Taking breaks and resting your voice
It is important to take vocal naps and rest your voice throughout the day. Additionally, it is important to avoid speaking or reciting when your voice is hoarse or tired. When I feel that my voice or throat is tired or something isn't right, I will recite silently. Keep things like this when required but not as a norm.
Drink and eat well
Drinks that are known for their dehydrating effects can strain the vocal folds like caffeine should be had in moderation. Adequate hydration is essential for keeping the vocal folds healthy. Additionally, drinking plenty of water and following a healthy diet can help to lubricate the vocal folds.
Drinking warm water and herbal teas can help soothe the vocal cords before reciting or singing. Adding Manuka or Thyme or Raw honey, with half a squeezed lemon and some ginger to a glass of warm water is a great way to hydrate the vocal cords in preparation for recitation. Other drinks that can help the voice include honey and lemon tea, apple cider vinegar mixed with warm water, and coconut water.
A rule to remember is that anything that causes phlegm is not good for both memory or your voice. Peppermint tea is the best herbal tea to use if you suffer from a lot of phlegm. It reduces phlegm production without drying your voice out, so it’s perfect. Add a little honey if you have a sore throat and it works wonders. Go for the proper leaf stuff that you have to steep in a pot rather than tea bags. Quality tea makes a big difference.
If you have a sore throat and you have to recite soon, Propolis is a recommended remedy. It is a liquid made from bees wax and it has fantastic antibacterial qualities and with rest, can clear up a sore throat overnight. It can smell very bad and doesn't look great. Put a drop into water and mix it. A tip: Gargle with Popolis mixed in with water for a bit before you drink the rest of the glass down. There are other remedies or supplements that are recommended for the voice and throat.
Eating a balanced diet is also important for vocal health. Foods that are rich in iron, such as leafy vegetables like spinach or broccoli, can help maintain vocal strength and stamina. Reciters should eat fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, honey, and lean proteins such as chicken and fish. These are no different to singing.
It is also recommended to avoid smoking and second-hand smoke, as well as spicy foods and acidic drinks.
Warm-up exercises, breathing and posture for Qur'ān recitation
Vocal health is important for reciters, singers and speakers alike, and there are several ways to help maintain a healthy voice. This is why it's important to use your voice wisely and to practice good vocal habits. There are a variety of vocal warm-up exercises that can be used to help improve breath control, range, and posture. Warm-ups help to prepare the body and voice for reciting, reduce the risk of injury, train the voice, and preserve the voice.
Warming up your voice
Warming up works the muscles by loosening them up and releasing tension from the body and voice. This helps to reduce the chances of injuring your voice. Stretching your vocal cords also prepares you to recite or sing in different styles or registers.
First, you can warm up the voice before use by performing vocal function exercises. There are exercises that singers and speakers can do to improve their vocal control and strengthen their voices. These exercises include lip trills, humming, tongue trills, sirens, and more.
Humming is one of the best vocal warm-ups overall because it doesn't put a lot of strain on the vocal cords. It helps stretch the vocal cords, relaxes facial muscles, and improves breathing. Humming helps to stretch the vocal cords and develop vocal resonance. To do this exercise, place the tip of your tongue behind your bottom front teeth and hum up and down the major scale while keeping your mouth closed. Yawning with your mouth closed is another quick exercise that can help relax the voice and improve its range. And we know what the Prophet (ﷺ) said about yawning don't we?
The siren exercise warms up the vocal range and stretches the vocal cords. Lip trills help to relax facial muscles and improve breathing. Vowel warm-up exercises help with voice clarity and articulation. Fire engine sounds are an easy exercise that helps with ear training.
Drinking water before and during vocal warm-ups can help keep the vocal folds clean and free of mucus. Warming up your voice will increase blood flow to the vocal folds and muscles that control your voice, making it easier to recite loudly with a mix of chest and head voice.
Breathing technique
Breathing exercises help to build up breath support and stamina while reciting. You should also practice good breathing techniques when reciting or talking, supporting your voice with deep breaths from the diaphragm and chest instead of relying on your throat alone.
The general advice in the singing world is to sing from the core rather than the throat itself. This is where breathing is important to understand. When we recite Qur'ān, we should not be reciting from the nose or throat but our core as well. This is the diaphragm.
Two common breathing techniques are reciting from your diaphragm and using a hissing breath exercise. The hissing breath exercise is a great way to start when learning how to warm up your voice before singing as it forces vocalists to sing from their diaphragms and improves breath control.
Finally, reciters should coat their throats with honey or lemon juice before singing or speaking. By following these tips, singers can ensure that their voices remain healthy and strong.
Cool down
It is also important to cool down your voice after singing or reading aloud. Finally, it is essential to cool down after warming up. You can use the same vocal exercises you used during your warm-up, starting with the lowest note in your range and gradually increasing until you reach the highest note in your range.
The importance of good posture for Qur'ān recitation
This discussion is not only important for our reciters but also our Imams and speakers. Poor posture can lead to increased muscle tension in the neck, shoulders, and throat, which can cause voice strain. This is because poor posture shifts the weight of the head away from the center of the body, forcing the neck muscles to work harder to support it. This tightness combined with extra weight can lead to increased muscle tension and pain in the neck, head, and back. Additionally, poor posture reduces respiratory support for voice and reduces the openness of the vocal tract, both of which can encourage laryngeal muscle tension disorders that manifest as hoarseness or complete loss of voice.
Good standing posture involves standing evenly over both feet, shoulder width apart, and not leaning more on one hip. Exercise can also help improve posture and breathing, which are necessary for proper vocalisation.
The Alexander Technique can be used to improve the quality of your voice and performance. It can help you become aware of and eliminate habitual patterns that hinder freedom of voice. The technique can also help reduce vocal pain, prevent voice loss, reduce tension, increase stamina, and extend vocal range. Voice teachers can use principles of the Alexander Technique to help students recite with more freedom and ease.
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