Everything, especially utilizing the great book like Quran need to be programmed in Islam. As a result, some terms and rules in regards to recite the Quran have been mentioned in Quran itself that are as follows:
1. You must make wudhu and be pure if you want to touch verses of the Holy Quran. Because the Holy Quran says: "And that no one should touch it but The pure ones"[1]
This interpretation points to the both apparent pure and inner (spiritual) pure. Which means if one wants to comprehend the contents and meaning of the Holy Quran, the one must avoid moral vices. In other words, the one should be far away from evil qualities that keep him away from seeing the truth. This kind of pure called as inner or spiritual pure.
2. One must recite the Holy Quran with Tarteel. In other words to recite it in slow, measured rhythmic tones[2].
3. When you are going to recite the Holy Quran, you should seek refuge in Allah From the accursed Satan as we read in the above-mentioned verses: "When you recite The Holy Quran seek refuge in Allah From the accursed Satan"[3].
There is a tradition in this regard that when Imam Sadiq (a.s) was asked, How we perform this act and what we should say? He answered: "say: استعیذ بالسمیع العلیم من الشیطان الرجیم".
There is another tradition in which says when the Imam wanted to recite the Surah Hamd, he always says: "اعوذ بالله السمیع العلیم من الشیطان الرجیم، و اعوذ بالله ان یحضرون". Meaning that: I seek refuge in Allah the Knowing Hearer, And I seek shelter in You from their Coming around me.
Since "بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم" is the part (verse) of the Holy Quran, saying "اعوذ بالله من الشیطان الرجیم" before it, is one of the rules in regards to recite the Holy Quran.
It is also mentioned in a tradition that the first thing in regards to recite the Holy Quran that the Gabriel talked the Holy Prophet about was: "O, Messenger say!: "أَسْتَعِیذُ بِالسَّمِیعِ الْعَلِیمِ مِنَ الشَّیْطَانِ الرَّجِیمِ", then say: "Recite in the Name of Allah Who is your Creator and Nurturer And Who created all creatures of The universe".[4]
However, taking refuge in Allah from accursed Satan (اعوذ بالله من الشیطان الرجیم) mustn’t be restricted in our speech and words only, but it must be taken with all our heart and soul. Because it helps us avoiding satanic behaviors and obtaining proximity of Allah's the Almighty attributes. So that we can comprehend and see the truth of Allah's (swt) words.[5]
So, however we are able not to pronounce (اعوذ بالله من الشیطان الرجیم) with a low or loud voice but recite it in our heart, we should keep this taking refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan during the time we are reciting the Holy Quran and even at the beginning of it.