Proficient in reading the Koran is a skill that every Muslim must have. Difficulty in learning to read the Koran is something that is bound to be encountered. At SMP Muhammadiyah 8 Kemangkon there is a program that can alleviate this problem, thus this research aims to describe the difficulty of reading the Koran among students at SMP Muhammadiyah 8 Kemangkon.
This research uses a descriptive qualitative research method with a case study type of research. The subjects of this research included 16 students who had difficulty reading the Al-Qur'an, 3 Al-Qur'an Reading and Writing program teachers, and 15 student guardians. Data collection techniques use observation, interviews and document analysis. Test the validity of the data using source triangulation and technical triangulation. The data analysis technique uses the Miles & Huberman model which includes data collection, data reduction, data presentation and drawing conclusions.
The results of the research showed that 16 Muhammadiyah Kemangkon Middle School students had difficulty reading the Koran, with the following explanation: a) difficulty in identifying the hijaiyah letters, there were 12 students who often neglected to pronounce the hijaiyah letters either singly or in sequence. b) difficulty in pronouncing letters according to their makhraj, there was 1 student who had difficulty pronouncing the letter 'ain. c) difficulty reading according to tajwid rules, there were 3 students who had difficulty reading according to tajwid. Every difficulty has influencing factors, which are divided into 2 categories, namely internal factors and external factors with the following description: a) internal influencing factors include the level of intelligence and low interest and motivation of students in learning. b) external factors include family conditions that do not provide certainty regarding learning development and living environments where there are rarely programs that support students' ability to read the Koran.