Quran recitation at your fingertips

A high-tech pen allows people to read the Quran easily and with the correct pronunciation, writes Nur Zarina Othman

QURAN recitation is encouraged during the holy month of Ramadan but how many of us Muslims are really sure of the pronunciation? This is where technology and innovation come in. It is as if there is an ustaz or an ustazah guiding us.

The tech solution is a high-tech pen called MyQalam, which helps you to read the Quran with the correct pronunciation and according to Tajwid (how the verses are read).

The pen recites the verses when its tip is pointed at them.

AS EASY AS ALIF, BA, TA

Many high-tech gadgets are complicated to use but this is not the case with MyQalam.

It’s user-friendly and fool-proof. In fact, I do not even need to read the manual to understand how to operate it.

Just press the power button on the pen and a welcome verse will be heard. Voila! It’s ready for use.

While getting it to start is as easy as Alif, Ba, Ta, it does take a little practice to get used to the different functions.

For example, you can choose a different Qari (a person who recites the Quran at competitions) for different styles of recitations but you will need to move the pen as the pace is determined by how you glide the pen.

You can also choose the uninterrupted recitation mode where, just by pointing at the start of each verse, the recitation will continue until that one verse is completely read.

LEARN BY COPYING

Reciting the Quran can be tough especially when you are not familiar with Arabic alphabets and Tajwid rules, which is why people attend classes to learn to read the Quran.

Without proper knowledge on the rules of Tajwid, one’s recitation will result in the wrong meaning.

MyQalam offers both sound and sight assistance to make reciting the Quran a much easier task.

Compared to the normal print Quran, MyQalam highlights different Tajwid rules, making readers aware that he or she needs to pay extra attention as to how the verses are read. Hearing how the verses are read helps readers to understand better.

My Qalam offers seven different Qaris, which means seven different recitation styles. Choosing the style which suits you best will definitely hold your interest in learning the Quran.

SELF-TAUGHT FUNCTION

In today’s fast-paced lifestyle, MyQalam probably best suits many people.

The MyQalam pen comes with a recording and playback button. Knowing how the verses are pronounced is just the beginning of the whole learning process. The recording and playback function allows users to learn and recite the Quran anytime, anywhere.

You will be your own judge if you have read the Quran correctly or not. It serves me best as I always feel shy when asked to recite the Quran in public. Ratings: 4/5

CHERRY ON TOP

Reciting the Quran with MyQalam is a pleasant experience for me, bringing back what I’ve learnt in school many years ago.

It is one of the best tools to jog one’s memory and recite the Quran as it should be as it would be quite ambitious to expect me to open those Tajwid books to remember them all.

The MyQalam box is designed with a purpose. Although the set comes with a travelling folder, the box doubles as the “rehal” too, a small placement tool for placing the Quran for recitation.

The MyQalam Quran is a bit too small for sharing, making it more suitable for personal use but the pen does recite the Quran loud and clear.

If you like to do some quiet reading (or listening), the pen has an earphone jack so you will not disturb the person next to you.

The MyQalam pen is so versatile that it can also be connected to a Bluetooth speaker for a sharing session. Whatever works best for you.

Besides all the above functions listed, the pen also comes with translation ― 25 in all!

Having so many languages to choose from may sound cool, I must say that I only use two ― Malay and English. But this function will serve very well if it is used by Muslims from other parts of the world, making MyQalam a great travel companion ― not to mention a gift!

To conclude, the MyQalam pen is a good replacement for the normal print Quran. It can be a hassle to remember to replace the battery when it depletes but it will surely benefit anyone who would like to learn to recite the Quran again.

For first-timers, however, it is best to learn with a teacher.

MyQalam comes in three different packages ― MyQalam Umrah and Haji, MyQalam Travel and MyQalam Gold ― with prices ranging between RM140 and RM199 each. They can be purchased from www.cjwowshop.com.my