To read WhatsApp messages, first go to the home screen of the phone and long press the option of multitasking here.
Now you will see some new options here, from these select the option of Widgets. Now shortcuts of different apps will be seen here.
Out of these you have to search for WhatsApp shortcut. Now you can drag and drop WhatsApp shortcuts anywhere you want.
After doing this, you will see any new message without opening it. But if you click on a message, you will go directly to the WhatsApp chat.