Question

Assalaam alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.

I would like to know whether ordinary people like us with very little knowledge of Qur’an (like reciting) can learn Qur’an (i.e.reciting) from great imams like Saud Shuraim and Abdulrahman al Sudais

Answer

Wa alaikum assalaam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.

There are many great teachers of the Qur’an in the world with very high chains of transmission from the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah upon him and with great knowledge of the Qur’an.  The honorable Sheikhs Shuraim and Sudais have degrees in specialized fields of fiqh and Islamic studies and do not specialize in teaching Qur’an.  They are very visible to the Muslim nation since they are imams of the Holy Mosque in Mekkah, but they have great knowledge in many fields besides recitation.  For example, Sheikh Shuraim is a judge on the judicial court in Mekkah. 

The important first step for you or anyone striving to recite the Qur’an correctly is to find a qualified teacher in your area to help correct your recitation.  As you improve and move up in understanding and applying tajweed in your recitation and have learned all there is to learn from the teacher in your location, you may consider traveling to learn more.

The most important thing as you improve your recitation and come closer to mastery is finding a sheikh with a high sanad (chain of transmission) and known for his/her mastery of recitation and tajweed.

Wa assalam