Published February 7, 2026 · 9 min read
Want to read the Quran but don't know Arabic? You're not alone. Millions of Muslims worldwide use transliteration — Arabic words written in Latin (English) letters — as a bridge to start reading the Quran immediately.
Transliteration is not a replacement for learning Arabic, but it is a powerful starting point. With it, you can begin reciting Quranic verses in prayer, follow along with a reciter, and build familiarity with the sounds of the Quran — all while gradually learning the Arabic script.
QuranMakkah provides transliteration for every verse of the Quran, synced with audio so you can hear and follow along simultaneously.
Transliteration is different from translation. Here's the key difference:
"In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful"
"Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem"
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ
With transliteration, you are saying the same Arabic words — just reading them with Latin letters. This means you can recite the actual Quran text, which is important for prayer and worship.
Arabic has several sounds that don't exist in English. Here are the most important ones to learn:
This is a selection of key letters. The full Arabic alphabet has 28 letters.
Try reading these verses using the transliteration. Click on the surah name to hear the audio on QuranMakkah.
Al-Fatihah (1:1)
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ
Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Al-Fatihah (1:2)
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
Alhamdu lillaahi Rabbil-'aalameen
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all the worlds
Al-Ikhlas (112:1)
قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ
Qul Huwa Allaahu Ahad
Say: He is Allah, the One
Al-Ikhlas (112:2)
اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ
Allaahus-Samad
Allah, the Eternal Refuge
Transliteration can't capture every nuance. Listening to a native reciter fills in the gaps your eyes miss.
Use transliteration as a stepping stone, not a final destination. Start learning the Arabic alphabet in parallel.
Apostrophes ('), double letters (aa, ee), and special combinations (th, kh, dh) represent unique Arabic sounds.
Start with Al-Fatihah, Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, and An-Nas. These are short and essential for daily prayers.
Read slowly and carefully. It's better to recite one verse correctly than ten verses hastily.
Most scholars agree that reading the Quran in transliteration is permissible as a learning tool, especially for new Muslims and those who cannot yet read Arabic. The goal should be to eventually learn Arabic script, as transliteration cannot perfectly capture all Arabic sounds.
Translation converts the meaning into another language (Arabic to English meaning). Transliteration converts the sounds into another script (Arabic sounds written in English letters). With transliteration, you are still reading the Arabic words.
Scholars differ on this. Many say that since you are reciting the Arabic words (just reading them in a different script), you still receive reward. However, learning to read Arabic script is strongly encouraged for more accurate pronunciation.
These essential surahs are perfect for beginners. Each one includes audio, transliteration, and translation on QuranMakkah.
The Opening - Required in every prayer
Pure monotheism in 4 short verses
Seeking refuge in the Lord of daybreak
Seeking refuge in the Lord of mankind
The Heart of the Quran - 83 verses
The Most Merciful - Beautiful rhythmic surah
Every verse includes Arabic text, transliteration, translation, and synchronized audio.
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