Quran Transliteration — read, understand & listen

Quran transliteration writes the Arabic words of the Qur'an using the English (Latin) alphabet, with marks like ā, ī, ū, ḥ, and ṣ to show the exact sounds, so you can pronounce and recite verses before you learn the Arabic script. Every surah here shows Arabic, transliteration, translation, and word-by-word audio together.

No — the mainstream scholarly view is that reading the Qur'an in transliteration is a permissible learning aid for those who cannot yet read Arabic, because you are still pronouncing the actual Arabic words. Scholars encourage moving toward the Arabic script over time. See our full guide on whether transliteration is allowed.

Yes. Transliteration lets you begin reciting today by reading the Arabic sounds in English letters, and pairing it with audio helps you match the script to a reciter's voice. Start with Surah Al-Fatiha and use the pronunciation key to learn each mark.

Yes. Reading transliteration means pronouncing the Qur'an's Arabic words, so it is recitation, and the effort is rewarded — a well-known narration mentions a double reward for the one who recites with difficulty. It is approximate, so reading the Arabic itself stays the goal, but your reading is meaningful and counts.

Transliteration is best thought of as a bridge, not a destination. Several Arabic sounds have no exact English equivalent, so it is always an approximation. Use it to start reciting now, then gradually learn the Arabic letters — our Roman-script guide explains how to make that transition.

Every surah on this site offers word-by-word transliteration, translation, and audio that highlights each word as it is recited. Open any surah from the browser to read and listen together — free and ad-free.