Mufti Menk is one of the most listened-to English-speaking scholars in the world, and the Quran sits at the centre of everything he teaches. His approach is simple and practical: recite the Quran correctly, reflect on what it means, and let it shape your daily life. This article looks at what you can take from his method — and how to start learning the Quran yourself, step by step.
Key takeaways
- Mufti Menk memorised the Quran as a child under his father and later studied in Madinah — recitation runs through all of his teaching.
- His style is warm and conversational: short reflections that connect the Quran’s guidance to everyday life.
- His Ramadan series walk through short surahs with clear, simple explanation.
- You can follow the same path: learn to read, recite with Tajweed, and reflect — with a qualified teacher.
Who Is Mufti Menk?
Mufti Ismail ibn Musa Menk — known to millions simply as Mufti Menk — was born on 27 June 1975 in Harare, Zimbabwe, to Gujarati Indian Muslim parents. He serves as the Grand Mufti of Zimbabwe and heads the fatwa department of the Majlisul Ulama Zimbabwe, the Council of Islamic Scholars of Zimbabwe.
His own Quran journey started early. He memorised the Quran under his father, Mufti Musa Menk, and went on to study at the Kantharia Darul Uloom in Gujarat, India, before pursuing further religious studies in Madinah. That combination — memorisation first, then formal study — is the foundation of his teaching.
Today he is one of the most followed English-speaking Muslim scholars in the world. He has appeared on The 500 Most Influential Muslims list, and in 2016 he received an Honorary Doctorate of Social Guidance from Aldersgate College. His books, Motivational Moments (2018) and Motivational Moments 2 (2019), are collections of short inspirational reflections.
His Approach: Recite It, Reflect on It, Live It
Mufti Menk’s teaching follows a simple pattern that any learner can copy.
First, recitation. He is known for his clear, heartfelt recitation of the Quran, which he often weaves into his talks. The message is that the Quran is meant to be heard and read aloud, not only studied silently. Correct pronunciation matters — it is the first step, and it is a skill anyone can build with practice and a teacher who corrects them.
Second, reflection. His most-circulated talks are not dense theological arguments. They are short, practical reflections on themes the Quran returns to again and again: reliance on Allah, gratitude, family relationships, good character, and avoiding backbiting. His Ramadan series are essentially guided Quran reflections — he takes a short surah, explains it in plain language, and draws out what it means for daily life.
Third, application. The point of his talks is never information alone. He consistently brings the listener back to one question: what will you do differently today because of what you just heard? That is why his style works so well for ordinary listeners — it turns the Quran from a book on a shelf into guidance for the week ahead.
What His Style Teaches a Learner
There are three practical lessons in Mufti Menk’s approach that apply to anyone learning the Quran.
Start with the sound, not the theory. He memorised the Quran before he studied its sciences. For a beginner, that order still works: learn the letters, learn to join them, and learn to read aloud with a teacher correcting you. Understanding deepens naturally once the reading is in place.
Keep it short and regular. His reflections are brief by design. A learner does not need long study sessions to make progress — a short daily session, repeated consistently, builds recitation skill far better than an occasional long one. Twenty minutes a day, every day, is enough to move forward.
Connect what you read to your life. Reading without reflection is only half the job. After you read a passage, pause and ask what it is asking of you. That habit — read, reflect, apply — is the heart of his method, and it is something a beginner can practise from the very first short surah.
How to Start Learning the Quran the Same Way
You can follow the same path Mufti Menk’s own students follow, in the same order.
Step 1 — Learn to read. Start with the Noorani Qaida course, which teaches the Arabic letters, their sounds, and how they join together. Most learners read their first words within weeks.
Step 2 — Read fluently. Move on to Nazra, reading the Quran itself, with a teacher listening and correcting your pronunciation. This is where the reading becomes smooth and confident.
Step 3 — Learn Tajweed. Tajweed is the set of rules for correct recitation — every letter from its right place, every sound given its proper length. A teacher’s ear is essential here, because you cannot hear your own mistakes — see the Quran with Tajweed course.
Step 4 — Reflect as you read. Once you can read, start asking what the passage means. A teacher can explain the meaning in plain language, and short surahs are the best place to begin — they are short enough to reflect on in a single sitting.
Step 5 — Keep it daily. The habit matters more than the length of any single session. A short daily practice, with regular lessons, is how recitation becomes natural.
Checklist — start your Quran journey the Mufti Menk way
- ✔ Learn the letters with the Noorani Qaida — sound first, theory later
- ✔ Read aloud every day, even for 10–15 minutes
- ✔ Learn Tajweed with a teacher who corrects your recitation
- ✔ After reading, pause and reflect on what the passage means for your day
- ✔ Book a free trial class to meet your teacher and get a starting plan
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mufti Menk?
Mufti Ismail ibn Musa Menk is a Zimbabwean Islamic scholar, born in Harare in 1975. He serves as the Grand Mufti of Zimbabwe and heads the fatwa department of the Majlisul Ulama Zimbabwe. He memorised the Quran under his father and studied in Gujarat, India, and in Madinah. He is one of the most followed English-speaking Muslim scholars in the world.
What is Mufti Menk known for?
He is known for warm, conversational lectures that connect the Quran’s guidance to everyday life — themes like gratitude, family, good character, and reliance on Allah. His Ramadan series, which walk through short surahs with simple explanation, are among his most widely followed work. He is also known for his clear recitation of the Quran in his talks, and for his books Motivational Moments and Motivational Moments 2.
Does Mufti Menk teach Tajweed?
He is not primarily known as a formal Tajweed teacher. His public work centres on recitation, reflection, and practical guidance. He does have a strong foundation in Tajweed from his own studies, and correct recitation runs through his talks. If you want to learn Tajweed properly, the right step is to learn with a qualified teacher who can hear your recitation and correct it.
How can I learn to recite the Quran like Mufti Menk?
Start where he started: learn the letters with the Noorani Qaida, then read the Quran aloud regularly with a teacher correcting you, then learn Tajweed. Clear recitation is a trained skill, not a gift — it comes from regular practice with correction. A free trial class is a good way to meet a teacher and get a plan for your level.
Can I learn the Quran online as an adult?
Yes. Adults learn the Quran online every day, often faster than children at the understanding stage because they can practise on their own between lessons. Lessons are one-to-one, so the teacher works at your pace — see Learn Quran Online.
Is Mufti Menk connected to Al Hafeez Online Quran Academy?
No. Mufti Menk is not affiliated with, and does not teach at, Al Hafeez Online Quran Academy. This article looks at his publicly known teaching approach so that learners can take useful lessons from it. Your Quran learning at Al Hafeez is with the academy’s own qualified teachers.
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If Mufti Menk’s approach inspires you — recite it well, reflect on it, live it — the first step is a real lesson with a qualified teacher. Book a free trial class today: one full one-to-one lesson, no payment, no obligation.
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