Which Mushaf Should I Use? Madinah, Indo-Pak and Tajweed Qurans Compared

Every Mushaf contains the same words of Allah. What changes from one copy to the next is the script, the page layout, the narration (riwayah) it is written in, and any extras such as Tajweed colours or a translation. Choosing the right one makes reading, memorising and teaching much easier.

The short answer: read from the script you learned in, memorise from one layout only, and if you are unsure, choose the Madinah Mushaf in the Hafs narration.

Quick guide

If you...	Choose
Learned to read in the Arab world, or are starting from scratch	Madinah Mushaf (Uthmani script)
Learned in a madrasah in the UK, South Asia or South Africa	13 line Indo-Pak Quran
Are learning Tajweed	Colour coded Tajweed Quran
Are starting hifz	The same Mushaf your teacher and class use
Find small print hard to read	Grand Madinah Mushaf or 16 line large font Quran
Want to understand the meaning	Word for word English Quran

1. Script: Uthmani (Madinah) or Indo-Pak

The two most common scripts look different on the page, even though the text is identical.

The Uthmani script is used in the Madinah Mushaf printed by the King Fahd Complex for the Printing of the Holy Quran, written by the calligrapher Uthman Taha. It is the most widely used Mushaf in the Arab world and in many other countries. The letters are fine and elegant, and the Madinah edition has 604 pages, with 15 lines per page and almost every page ending at the end of a verse.

The Indo-Pak script is used across South Asia and by many communities in the UK, South Africa and elsewhere. The letters are bolder and thicker, and it uses some different symbols and vowel marks to guide pronunciation. If you learned to read the Quran in a South Asian madrasah, this is likely the script you know best.

Neither script is "more correct". They follow different writing and marking conventions for the same text. Switching between them is possible, but most people read most fluently in the script they learned first.

2. Layout: 13, 15 or 16 lines

The line count tells you how many lines of text are on each page. It matters most for hifz, because many people memorise by picturing where a verse sits on the page. We explain the differences in detail in 13 Line vs 15 Line vs 16 Line Quran.

Tip for hifz: choose one layout and stay with it. Memorising from one Mushaf and revising from another makes it harder to recall where each verse is.

3. Colour-coded Tajweed or plain text

A Tajweed Mushaf prints letters in different colours to show the rules of recitation, such as where to lengthen a sound, where to nasalise, and which letters are silent. It is ideal for learners and for teachers who want students to see the rules on the page.

Once you are confident with Tajweed, a plain Mushaf is less busy on the eye. Many people keep both. Read our guide to what each Tajweed colour means.

4. Narration: Hafs, Warsh and others

The Quran has been passed down through several authentic chains of recitation. Each Mushaf is written in one narration (riwayah). The differences between them are mostly in pronunciation and a small number of words, and all are accepted as the Quran.

• Hafs from Asim: by far the most widespread worldwide. If you are not sure, this is the one to choose.
• Warsh from Nafi: widely recited in North and West Africa. Download the Warsh Mushaf.
• Qaloon from Nafi: recited mainly in Libya and Tunisia. Download the Qaloon Mushaf.
• al-Duri from Abu Amr: recited mainly in Sudan and parts of Africa. Download Mushaf al-Duri.

Always read from a Mushaf in the narration you are reciting. Mixing narrations without study can lead to mistakes.

5. With a translation or word-for-word

If you want to understand what you read, a word-for-word Mushaf places the meaning under each Arabic word. It is one of the fastest ways to start understanding Quranic Arabic. Try the Word for Word English Quran (colour) or the colour coded Quran with transliteration and English.

6. Reading on a phone or tablet

Full-size PDFs can be slow to scroll on a small screen. Our Quran PDF for mobile is formatted for phones, so you can read on the go.

Frequently asked questions

Is one Mushaf more correct than another?

No. Authentic Mushafs printed by trusted publishers contain the same Quran. They differ in script, layout and the narration they follow.

Which Mushaf is best for hifz?

The one your teacher uses. If you are memorising on your own, the 15 line Madinah Mushaf is a popular choice because every page ends at the end of a verse.

Can I switch from Indo-Pak to the Madinah script?

Yes. Most readers adjust within a few weeks of daily reading. Start with short surahs you already know well.

Download your Mushaf free

Every Mushaf mentioned here is a free PDF download. Browse the full Free Quran Download collection, add what you need to your cart and check out for £0. Your download links arrive by email.