Introduction
Tajweed, originally from the arabic verb meaning ‘to make better’ is a set of rules on how to pronounce the Qur’an correctly. Learning the rules of Tajweed ensures proper comprehension and enables the effective recitation of the sacred words, preserving their meaning and the beauty of the Arabic language.
Why Tajweed is Necesary?
The Quran was revealed in a unique dialect of the Prophet (PBUH) which indicated that it is not merely an ordinary speech. Allah SWT says in the Quran while descripting the importance of Tajweed rules: “Or add to it, and recite the Qur’an with measured recitation”(73:4). This is a reminder of the necessity for Quran Tajweed rules because all of this happens by pronouncing each word and even letter properly. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) added to the significance of Tajweed by saying: “The one who is proficient in the recitation of the Quran will be with the honorable and obedient scribes (angels). And the one who recites the Quran and finds it difficult, and it is hard for him, will have a double reward.” (Sahih Muslim). To ensure humans do not make such mistakes is explained that a single wrong letter can change the meaning of the verse so from here comes tajweed. With these rules of reciting, the beauty and sanctity of this act as an expression in which connects him or her spiritually to divine word is maintained.
Benefits of learning Quran Tajweed
Correctness in Recitation: By following the Quran Tajweed rules, reciters can avoid improper pronunciation of Quran.
Spiritual Experience Increase: Correct recitation makes a person more connected to Quran and Allah.
Maintains the Language: When you learn tajweed, you can maintain semantics of Quranic Arabic.
Developing a Relationship: Tajweed is the gateway to a long-lasting companionship with the Quran and a clear understanding.
All Tajweed Rules Explained
In the following paragraphs, you will be acquainted with main tajweed regulations which every Quran reader must know.
1. Al-Sifat (the attributes of letters)
It is the characteristics or quality of Arabic letters how they are pronounced. Some Arabic letters are pronounced with softly and some are with heavy tune. There are two main attributes of the letters:
⦁ Hams (whispering): it gives the letters soft sound like in س and ف
⦁ Shiddah (Strength): it depicts the strong and heavy tunes like in ق and ط
2. Makhraj (Articulation Points)
The place in the mouth or throat where each letter is sounded is called Makhraj. There are 17 makhraj points for the Arabic alphabet of 29 letters. You can learn these areas of mouth / throat by the graphical representation as follows.
3. Noon Sakinah & Tanween Rules
There are four important rules of Noon sakinah and Tanveen:
Idghaam – Merging
When the noon sakin or tanween is followed by specific letters they are merged into the next letter. There are two forms of Idgham.
⦁ Idgham with Ghunnah
We will do Idgham with Ghunnah when there comes these specific words ي, ن, م, و followed by noon sakina or noon tanveen. We understand this point by the following diagram:
⦁ Idgham without Ghunnah:
We will do idgham without Ghunnah when there is ل or ر followed by noon sakinah and noon tanveen.
Iqlab (Changing):
Noon sakin or tanween changes to a meem sound if followed by ب (ba).
Ikhfa:
When any of the following letters comes after noon sakinah and noon tanween, then we will do ikhfa there. Ikhfa is done with slight Ghunnah
Izhar:
Izhar means clarity. Izhar occurs when noon sakinah and noon tanveen is followed by the following throat letters which are six in number ( ء,هـ , ع ,ح, غ, خ)
4. Rules of Meem Saakin (م)
Meem sakinah has three main rules.
⦁ Ikhfaa Shafawi (إخفاء شفوي): If Meem Saakin is followed by a Baa (ب), it will be said with nasalization and making the Meem little disappeared.
⦁ Idgham Shafawi (إدغام شفوي): If Meem Saakin is followed by another Meem, they are absorbed in each other but sustaining the sound for a little while with ghunnah.
⦁ If Meem Saakin is followed by any letter other than Baa or Meem, it will be pronounced as with izhar shafawi (إظهار شفوي) and not nasalized.
By following these rules recitation remains harmonious and beautiful, Meem is enunciated correctly.
5. Qalqalah (Echoing Sound)
The repetition or echo sound of specific letters when they are with a sukoon. These are five letters
ق — ط — ب –ج—د. Its sum is قطب جد . it is categorized as Qalqalah Sughrah, it happens when one of Qalqalah letter is in the middle of the words with sakoon. The second category is Qalqalah kubra and it happens when the Qalqalah letters is at the end of the word
6. Rules of Lam (ل) in “Allah”
The Lām (ل) is pronounced in a heavy or light manner according to the rules of Tafkheem and Tarqeeq because it depends on vowels that precede. In-case of Fatha (َ) or Dhammah (ُ), it is pronounced as a heavy letter, for example رّسُولُ الله But for when its preceded by a Kasrah (ِ) then it is pronounced softly as in بِسْمِ اللّٰه (Bismillah). This is to encourage that the name Allah be said in a way which facilitates clarity and respect, thus maintaining Tajweed.
7. Rules of Raa (ر)
Pronunciation of Raa has specific rules in arabic. Its pronunciation depends on Harakat preceding it. It can be either light or heavy, depending on the harakah. If the harakah before Raa is Fatha or Dhammah or the letter Raa is slient, then we will be pronounced heavily otherwise it will be pronounced lightly.
8. Alif Sakinah (Silent Alif)
Alif Sakinah (Silent Alif) — An alif that carries no vowel at all, so it is silent in pronunciation. It marks the vowel immediately preceding it to be pronounced as a long vowel, and by itself is not realized.
9. Leen (Soft Letters)
Leen (لين) is the soft pronunciation of a letter which happens when a waw (و), or ya(ﻳـ ) with sukooon and before waw or yaa , there is Fatiha. So we will leen there. Madd is simple and short however on pauses this type of madd can be slight increase but not that much with average 2 counts stretch.
10. Madd Letters and Their Types
What are Madd letters? A definition for the elongation letters is given as: Alif, wow, yaa. They prolong the sound of a vowel and may be either short or long, depending on whether they are hard madd (no moojoom taqreer), soft madd(Ikhfaa shafawee) or silent pause.
There are three main types of Madd:
Madd Muttasil:
It occurs when a madd letter is followed by hamzah in the same word and it will be of four or five more counts.
Madd Munfasil:
Madd munfasil comes when madd letters ا, و, ي appears at the end of one word and hamzah is in start of the next word which is read for four or five counts.
Madd Laazim:
Madd occurs when a madd letter ا / و / ي is followed by Shaddah or Sakoon.. This type of madd (el-maddd el- laazim) is obligatory to stretch for 6 harakat in all types of recitation. There are two type of Madd Lazim.
⦁ Madd e Kalimaa
⦁ Madd e Harfi
Example of each madd is as under:
11. Tarqiq (Light Letters)
In Arabic phonetics, Tarqiq is the way of pronouncing letters softly or lightly. For example in the word المستقيم”, the letter س is pronounced lightly.
12. Waqooful Quran:
This picture depicts the waquful Quran.
13. Rules of Hamzah
Hamzah (ء) A sharp sound emitted from the throat. Depending on its position in a word or whether it comes at the beginning, middle or end.there are major rules of Hamzah.
⦁ Hamzatul Wasl (همزة الوصل): Hamzatul wasl means this hamza is pronounced only when it comes in the first letter of the recitation, otherwise dropped when connected to another word.
⦁ Hamzatul Qat’ (cutting hamza): this Hamza is pronounced whether it be from the beginning, middle or end of a word.
14. Tashdeed (Shaddah)
Tashdeed or Shaddah is the arabic dialect. It is the indication that the letter is pronounced doubled. Its symbol is ّ . It depicts two back to back occurrences in the same word. First one is the sakoon and the second is the fatha, kasirah, Dammah.
15. Laws of Huroof Muqata’at
These are the disconnected letters at the start of some Surahs in Quran, for example “الم” or “يس”. They are then read one by one as whole letters that do not combine into any meaningful words in our understanding.
Tips to Memorize Tajweed Rules
To learn tajweed you need to practice and dedication. Following are some practical tips to memorize the tajweed rules effectively:
⦁ Color Coded Quran
⦁ Visual lesson
⦁ Listening Recordings
⦁ Online Quran Tutors
How to Learn Quran Tajweed:
For every reader of the Quran, learning tajweed can be a sublime journey. If you want to learn the rules of Quran tajweed, then here are a few effective ways that will help.
⦁ Colorful Tajweed Qurans: The use of this versitile Quran that highlights the rules facilitates reading along during recitations.
⦁ Diagram material, Pictures and visual aids: Visual tools show where the sounds are produced in mouth/ throat.
⦁ Listen to Audio Recordings: Another helpful is to recite along with audio recordings of learned and skilled Qaris in order to understand the correct pronunciations.
⦁ Online Classes: Take online tajweed classes with qualified tutors from any online Quran academy.
⦁ Social media: There are a lot of social media apps where handsome material is available to learn for free.
Conclusion
Mastering Quranic Tajweed is essential for preserving the sacred beauty and integrity of Allah’s words. Through proper guidance in Tajweed, we can recite the Quran with precision and reverence, fully immersing ourselves in the divine message and deepening our connection with it.
