Tajweed Rules
Tajweed (تجويد) means to improve, make better, or beautify. In Quranic context, Tajweed refers to the rules governing pronunciation during recitation of the Quran. The purpose is to recite the Quran as it was revealed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Introduction to Tajweed
Why Learn Tajweed?
Learning Tajweed is essential for every Muslim who recites the Quran. Allah says in the Quran:
Proper Tajweed helps us:
- Recite the Quran as it was revealed
- Avoid changing the meaning by incorrect pronunciation
- Honor and respect the divine words of Allah
- Improve our understanding of the Quran
Levels of Tajweed
There are three levels of Tajweed recitation:
- Tahqiq (التحقيق): Slow, methodical recitation with full application of rules - ideal for learning.
- Tartil (الترتيل): Moderate pace with careful attention to rules - recommended for daily recitation.
- Hadr (الحدر): Fast recitation while maintaining essential rules - for those who have mastered Tajweed.
Tip for Beginners
Start with Tahqiq (slow recitation) to master the rules before attempting faster recitation styles.
Common Mistakes
When reciting the Quran, be careful to avoid these common mistakes:
- Lahn Jali (اللحن الجلي): Major mistakes that change the meaning or are clearly wrong.
- Lahn Khafi (اللحن الخفي): Minor mistakes in applying tajweed rules that don't change meaning.
Important Warning
Changing the pronunciation of letters can alter the meaning of Quranic verses. Always learn from a qualified teacher.
Qalqalah (Bouncing)
What is Qalqalah?
Qalqalah (القلقلة) means "echoing sound" or "bouncing". It refers to a vibrating or bouncing sound that occurs when pronouncing certain letters when they have a sukoon or when stopping on them.
The five letters of Qalqalah are:
Types of Qalqalah
1. Qalqalah Sughra (القلقلة الصغرى) - Minor Qalqalah
When a qalqalah letter has a sukoon and is in the middle of a word:
2. Qalqalah Kubra (القلقلة الكبرى) - Major Qalqalah
When stopping on a word that ends with a qalqalah letter:
Listen to Qalqalah Pronunciation
Makharij (Points of Articulation)
What are Makharij?
Makharij (مخارج) are the points in the mouth, throat, and lips from which Arabic letters are pronounced. There are 17 main points of articulation grouped into 5 main areas:
The Five Main Areas
1. Al-Jawf (الجوف) - The Hollow
The empty space in the mouth and throat for the elongation letters (Madd):
2. Al-Halq (الحلق) - The Throat
Divided into three parts:
- Deepest part: ء ه
- Middle part: ع ح
- Nearest part (to mouth): غ خ
3. Al-Lisan (اللسان) - The Tongue
The tongue has multiple points for different letters:
- Root of tongue: ق
- Middle of tongue: ك
- Side of tongue: ج ش ي
- Tip of tongue with upper teeth: ت د ط
- Tip of tongue with gums: ث ذ ظ
- Tip of tongue with upper palate: ل ن ر
- Tip of tongue with lower teeth: ص س ز
4. Ash-Shafatan (الشفتان) - The Lips
The lips are used for:
- Both lips: و ب م
- Lower lip with upper teeth: ف
5. Al-Khayshum (الخيشوم) - The Nasal Passage
Used for the ghunnah (nasalization) in certain rules.
Listen to Makharij Pronunciation
Noon & Meem Rules
Rules of Noon Sakinah (النون الساكنة) and Tanween (التنوين)
Noon Sakinah is a noon with a sukoon. Tanween is a double fathah, kasrah, or dammah. There are four rules:
1. Izhar (الإظهار) - Clear Pronunciation
When noon sakinah or tanween is followed by one of the throat letters:
2. Idgham (الإدغام) - Merging
When noon sakinah or tanween is followed by one of these six letters:
This is further divided into:
- Idgham with Ghunnah: ي ن م و
- Idgham without Ghunnah: ل ر
3. Iqlab (الإقلاب) - Conversion
When noon sakinah or tanween is followed by the letter ب, it is pronounced as م with ghunnah:
4. Ikhfa (الإخفاء) - Hiding
When noon sakinah or tanween is followed by any of the remaining 15 letters:
Rules of Meem Sakinah (الميم الساكنة)
Meem Sakinah is a meem with a sukoon. There are three rules:
1. Idgham Shafawi (الإدغام الشفوي) - Labial Merging
When meem sakinah is followed by another meem:
2. Ikhfa Shafawi (الإخفاء الشفوي) - Labial Hiding
When meem sakinah is followed by ب:
3. Izhar Shafawi (الإظهار الشفوي) - Labial Clarity
When meem sakinah is followed by any letter other than م or ب:
Madd (Elongation)
What is Madd?
Madd (المد) means to stretch or elongate the sound of a letter. The letters of madd are three:
These letters are elongated when:
- Alif (ا) is preceded by a fathah
- Waw (و) is preceded by a dammah
- Ya (ي) is preceded by a kasrah
Types of Madd
1. Madd Tabee'i (المد الطبيعي) - Natural Elongation
The basic elongation of 2 counts (harakat):
2. Madd Wajib Muttasil (المد الواجب المتصل) - Required Connected Elongation
When a madd letter is followed by a hamzah in the same word, elongated 4-5 counts:
3. Madd Jaiz Munfasil (المد الجائز المنفصل) - Permitted Separated Elongation
When a madd letter at the end of a word is followed by a hamzah at the beginning of the next word, elongated 4-5 counts:
4. Madd Lazim (المد اللازم) - Obligatory Elongation
When a madd letter is followed by a sukoon, elongated 6 counts:
5. Madd Arid Lissukoon (المد العارض للسكون) - Temporary Elongation due to Stopping
When stopping on a word that ends with a madd letter, elongated 2, 4, or 6 counts:
Waqf (Stopping)
What is Waqf?
Waqf (الوقف) refers to stopping or pausing at the end of a word during Quranic recitation. Proper stopping is important for understanding the meaning and maintaining the flow of recitation.
Signs of Waqf
In the Quran, there are various symbols to indicate different types of stops:
Obligatory Stops
- م (مـ): Obligatory stop (waqf lazim)
Recommended Stops
- ط: Full stop (waqf mutlaq)
- ج: Permissible stop (waqf ja'iz)
- صلى: Better to stop
Optional Stops
- ز: Permissible stop but continuing is preferred
- ص: Permissible stop (authorized)
- ق: Better to continue but stopping is permissible
Other Signs
- لا: No stopping
- ⁓: Indicates that if you stop at one place marked with this sign, you should not stop at the other place with the same sign
- وقف: Indicates a pause
Rules for Stopping
1. Sukoon
When stopping on a word, the last letter is given a sukoon (no vowel):
2. Taa Marbutah
When stopping on a word ending with taa marbutah (ة), it is pronounced as haa (ه):
3. Tanween
When stopping on a word with tanween, the tanween is dropped:
Exception: Tanween fathah is replaced with alif:
Tip for Recitation
Take a breath at appropriate stopping points to maintain the flow and meaning of the Quranic verses.