Is tracing the Quran the same as writing it?
Taking a look at Quran Trace - Issue #165
Bismillāh al-Rahmān al-Rahīm,
Assalāmu ʿAlaykum!
Today, I took some time out to look at Quran Trace and some of the new editions they have published. Here are my quick thoughts:
TL;DR
Quran Trace is a creative and deeply spiritual tool designed to help users trace every word of the Qur’an. It now comes in both Uthmānī (Hafs & Warsh) and Indo-Pak (Nastaliq) scripts and includes a detailed workbook to teach Arabic writing from the ground up. With high-quality packaging, purpose-driven design, and pedagogical roots, it’s much more than a novelty. It remains one of the best physical tools available for engaging with the Qur’an through writing, memory, and reflection.
A Product of Purpose, Not Just Packaging
Quran Trace describes itself as “innovative, dynamic, and faith-inspired.” It’s quickly becoming a recognised name among those seeking a more hands-on, reflective approach to memorising the Qur'ān. With its growing popularity, we have to ask: Is it all hype? Or is it a meaningful revival of classical learning?
I previously explored the Original Medina (Uthmani Hafs) Edition and I’ve now explored their full range of offerings — the beautifully packaged Uthmānī Warsh Edition, the Nastaliq Indo-Pak Edition, and the Qur’an Trace Workbook — and I can say this: Quran Trace is a powerful blend of tradition and innovation. It offers more than a reading experience; it creates a relationship with the text that is physical, emotional, and intellectual.
Here are my thoughts.
The Unboxing Experience: More Than Just a First Impression
Opening a Qur’an Trace package feels almost ceremonial. It is definitely an improvement from my previous experience. It’s not just about receiving a product, it’s about stepping into a moment of intention. The packaging is sleek and elegant: a branded white box with golden calligraphy, layered with care, and wrapped in their own custom tissue.
When I received two boxes from my dear brother Qari Ilyaas el-Badr, inside I found:
A beautifully designed warm gratitude card
A beautifully designed custom gift card
The Quran Trace Mushaf itself
A step-by-step Arabic workbook
Each element sets a tone of reflection and reverence. There's a certain rhythm to it. The quality and the texture of the paper, and even the layout contribute to the experience. They have definitely paid attention to the details.
So far, great.
10/10.
Product Breakdown: What’s Inside Each Offering
The Warsh Edition (Uthmānī Script)
A full traceable Qur’an in Uthmānī script, following the 15-line format. Its layers — dot outlines, vowel placeholders, and clear writing zones — offers a wonderful tracing experience. The paper quality is thick, smooth, and prevents bleed-through from what I can see. A clear improvement. The soft pastel page tone makes long writing sessions less fatiguing. Definitely a premium feel.
When opening it, you find a list of etiquettes, a specifications section and a writing toolkit. This is good. It's a structured approach to showing you how to trace. I previously mentioned the importance of doing this with intention, not passively, Quran Trace now makes that possible.
The interior is beautiful too. The script is delicate and clear with enough space to write. It is clean, symmetrical and visually aligned. You'll also find a beautifully presented Qur'ān completion du'ā' at the end.
It takes a learner by the hand — whether a young student, calligraphy enthusiast, or a hāfiẓ polishing their trace — and delivers a system that:
honours tradition,
leverages modern pedagogy, and
elevates the Qur'an experience through beauty and structure.
Overall, you'll find everything you'd expect.
Indo-Pak Edition (Nastaliq Script)
One of my feedback to Quran Trace was to introduce this version and I am glad they did. And what a wonderful execution. It's beautiful. This version respects the visual memory of South Asian learners. If you grew up with Nastaliq, this feels familiar and intuitive. It's nice and big too. While the script is more curved and artistic, it still provides clear letter forms and alignment markers for accurate writing.
One thing I would suggest is that the sections at the back on the order of revelation, Tajwīd, and rules of stop for example should also be in English, instead of Urdu. A major part of Indo-Pak use the 13-line mushaf, and so it would also be great to see this version released. There are many things that could be introduced but they're a matter of discussion for another place and time.
Quran Trace Workbook
This step-by-step guide teaches Arabic writing from scratch. It includes:
Basic letter formation
Joined letters
Harakat (vowel) placement
Practice pages with Surah al-Fātiḥah and Ayat al-Kursī
It’s perfect for beginners, younger students, or those looking to refresh their handwriting with correct Qur’anic proportions. It's definitely great to practice tracing and to learn more about the writing of the Qur'ān.
Key Features:
Structured Progression: from basic strokes, alignment, Rasm, and Harakāt → to full ayahs
Visual Learning: every stage is shown with traceable examples and step-by-step order
Dedicated Practice: includes sections for:
Uthmani Orthography
Ayat al-Kursi, Surah al-Fatiha
Numbers, commonly used Qur’anic words
Special symbols (Waqf, etc.)
Huroof al-Muqatta’at (abbreviated letters)
This is a great addition.
How and Why Tracing Works
Writing the Qur’ān isn’t new — it has always been a practice of serious learners and scholars. Quran Trace taps into that legacy while making it more accessible for us today. Here’s what makes it work:
Engagement Through the Hand: Tracing strengthens hand-eye coordination and forces focus.
Memory Boost: Writing activates spatial and muscle memory, aiding retention.
Tajwīd by Design: Users naturally become more aware of letter shapes and vocal markings.
Slow Learning: You can’t rush tracing. That slowness encourages mindfulness and aids memory processing.
Reviving Sunnah: Our scholars wrote the Qur’an by hand for centuries — this revives that art to a certain degree.
Satisfying Progress: Watching your pages fill up gives tangible progress and joy.
There’s one question though: is tracing the same as writing and does it have the same effects?
I'll give you the short answer. Tracing is a great starting point, but for true reinforcement and mental mastery, writing from memory is more powerful.
Looking for Alternatives?
If you love the idea of writing but want to explore other tools too:
Qur’an by Hand: Write the Qur’an fully without tracing
Hikmah Writing Journal: Guided journaling rooted in Qur’anic reflection
Practice Qur’an Notebooks: Designed for students of Hifz and handwriting.
You can read more here:
Final Verdict: Should You Invest in Qur’an Trace?
Absolutely. This isn’t just a tool. It’s a shift in how we engage with the Qur’an. In a world of scrolling and speed, Quran Trace brings back slowness, depth, and beauty.
It transforms memorisation into a multisensory experience. It replaces passivity with intention. Whether you're a visual learner, a struggling Hāfiẓ, or a parent trying to nurture a Quran-friendly home — Quran Trace will serve you well.
It’s not a shortcut. It’s a supplement. And for many, it might be the catalyst they’ve been searching for.
🎁 Community Discount
Use the code MEMORISE at qurantrace.com for 10% off your purchase.
They’re also doing 20% off right now for ‘Eid!
May Allāh make the Qur’an the spring of our hearts.
🤲 Requesting your prayers,
- Qāri’ Mubashir
📖 THE DIARY OF A HĀFIZ
This is where we try to learn by watching others memorise. A roundup reporting the progress of our brothers and sisters in their pursuit of memorising the Qur'ān:
👳🏼♂️ Muhammad
Background: After forgetting what he memorised (half the Qur'ān) and kept struggling to start again. So he decided to share his diary and mission with us. After 19 weeks of struggle, he finally started. It took him a few months to do a few Juz’. He’s 37 and has been the most consistent of our diaries despite continued struggles.
Year 2 Week 40:
“I have managed to review the 1-4th Juz again, and I am continuing on”
🧕🏼 Aaliya
Background: I'm 28 and I started memorizing full time about 2 years ago. I have almost 17 Juz memorized Alhamdulillah. I go to a masjid hifz class everyday and I'm trying to increase my daily revision to 2-3 juz. I'm hoping recording weekly diaries will motivate me to be more consistent and inshAllah help others who read it too.
Week 42:
“Last week, I completed 13th and 12th juz for sabak. And I continued to recite 3 ajza revision. Alhamdullilah I have now re-memorised 9 out of the 20 ajza that I know.
Next week, I plan to complete 11th through 9th juz for sabak.”
🧕🏼 Aisha
Background: I am a 36 yr old, mother of 6 kids. I memorised 20 juz in a madrasa but got married and although completed my hifz on my own , my revision was poor and I couldn't recite anything properly except for 5 or 6 juz. It's been 12 years of ups and downs trying to rememorise with little success. Alhamdulillah I found Qari Mubashir’s website that answered so many of my questions and took me out of self doubt, I discovered the tikrar program, downloaded the app and Alhamdulillah my path to rememorise has finally been made possible by the grace of Allah. I started on the 20th of June and so far have completed 8 juz , currently doing the 9th . I also gave my first test for juz 1 - 6 last month and passed it Alhamdulillah. I am looking forward to completing hifz, with a solid revision this time, bi iznillah.
Week 29:
“Assalamualaikum warahmatullah,
Not much done last week, 14th juz almost completed but struggling with a couple of pages .
Revision and Connection also not upto the mark , but trying my best and praying that it gets better , Insha Allah.”
👉 If you have any questions, just drop a reply to me and I'll feature the questions and answers in relevant issues. If you want to join the diaries, get in touch also!
Allāh grant us all success and ease on this path!
⭐ COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS & UPDATES
In shā’ Allāh, I’ll be doing a workshop soon after ‘Eid on memorisation, perhaps you’ll be there?
I’m also opening opportunities for 1-on-1 coaching calls soon, interested? Let me know.
📌 Your Turn: How Did You Find This Post?
🔥 Reply & let me know what helped you most today.
💬 Reply & tell me: What’s your biggest struggle in Hifz right now? Have a question? Reply to this email (or answer the question below) and let me know—I’ll try to feature your question in upcoming posts.