What is Tajweed? A Comprehensive Guide to Quran Tajweed Rules



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As Tajweed means betterment of the Qur’anic recitation, the purpose of Tajweed is to preserve the recitation of the Holy Qur'an from mistakes to guarantee the readers and the reciters integrity of pronunciation.
Reading the Qur’an for Muslims is a great worship. Muslims should avoid making linguistic or phonetic errors while reading the Qur'an. Therefore, Tajweed became an indispensable science in Islam.
Here, we will introduce basic Tajweed rules for beginners.

What Is Tajweed?

Tajweed تَجۡوِيد is an Arabic word that means “betterment”. It could be defined as “the Islamic art of beautifying one’s recitation of the Holy Qur’an”.
The applied Tajweed meaning is to articulate every letter correctly from its articulation point and to give the letter its rights and dues of characteristics.

Important Tajweed Rules of the Quran

It's important to know the rules of Tajweed to properly recite the Quran.
There are so many Tajweed rules. These rules could be classified as below:

  • The articulation points related to each letter.
  • The fixed characteristics that never leave each letter.
  • The changeable characteristics that may occur to each letter.

What is Noon Sakinah and Tanween in Tajweed

Among the most Tajweed rules in Arabic are the Noon Sakinah and Tanween. Both are important concepts in the Arabic language phonology.
Noon Sakinah refers to the letter “noon” (ن) when it is signed with Sukūn, which means that it is not followed by a vowel. This means that the letter is pronounced with a complete pause or stop of the sound.
Tanween refers to a special diacritic sign that could be added to the end of a noun to indicate that it is indefinite (equivalent to "a” or “an” in English).
There are three types of Tanween:

  • Tanween-Fat-ha (ً) for the sound "’an"
  • Tanween-Kasra (ٍ) for the sound "’in"
  • Tanween-Damma (ٌ) for the sound "’un”

What is Izhaar in Tajweed

Iđhhār إظۡهار means to make clear or obvious.
It’s the main original characteristic of Arabic letters. It may occur in the Noon Sakinah or Tanween in some cases.
How to pronounce izhaar (Iđhhār إظۡهار)?
If the letters [ء ه ع ح غ خ] fall after the Noon Sakinah or Tanween. In this case, the sound of the Shaddah should be suppressed, while the sound of the Noon Sakinah or Tanween should be pronounced clearly and distinctly. This adds beauty to the recitation by making it clear and melodious.

What is Idghaam in Tajweed

Idgham إدۡغَام means to merge. It’s one of the exceptional characteristics of pronouncing Arabic letters. It refers to the merging of certain Arabic letters and vowel sounds when reciting the Quran. The Idgham rule is one of the most important Tajweed rules.
Idgham occurs when a Noon Sakinah or Tanween is followed by any letter of (Noon, Meem, Yaa, Waaw, Raa, or Lam) called also Idgham letters.
The sound of the Noon Sakinah or Tanween is merged with the sound of the following letter, and only the sound of the following letter is pronounced with doubling (Shaddah).
There are two types of Idghaam in Tajweed:

  • Idghaam with Ghunnah
  • Idghaam without Ghunnah

What is Iqlaab in Tajweed

Another one of the important Quran tajweed rules is Iqlab. Iqlāb إقلاب means to substitute the sound of a Noon Sakinah or Tanween with the sound of a (Meem) when it is followed by a Ba.
It’s the third case of the Tajweed rules related to Noon Sakinah and Tanween.
It means that the sound of the Noon Sakinah or Tanween is converted to the sound of the letter Meem due to the presence of Ba’ afterwards.
There is a disagreement among scholars about hiding (Ikhfaa) the Meem resulting from the Iqlab case.

What is Ikhfaa in Tajweed

Ikhfaa إخفاء means hiding or concealment.
It’s the last of the four rules of tajweed related to the Noon Sakinah or Tanween.
It means to hide any of the Noon Sakinah or Tanween when they are followed by one of the other 16 Arabic letters (after the letters of the three rules above). Therefore, Ikhfa letters are (ت – ث ج – د – ذ - ز – س – ش – ص – ض - ط – ظ – ف – ق – ك).
If the Noon Sakinah or Tanween are followed by any of these letters, it has to be concealed or hidden to a certain extent, but it is not completely silent.

What is Noon and Meem Mushaddadah in Tajweed

Noon Mushaddadah النون المشددة refers to a Noon letter that has a Shaddah diacritic sign (ــّـ) on it. It means that the letter Noon has to be pronounced twice or doubled.
Meem Mushaddadah الميم المشددة refers to a Meem letter that has a Shaddah diacritic sign (ــّـ) on it. It means that the letter Meem is pronounced twice or doubled.
*When reciting a Noon or Meem Mushaddadah, it is important to pronounce the letter with emphasis and to prolong its sound slightly to indicate the Shaddah.
Doubling Noon and Meem in Quran Tajweed rules produces the beautiful sound of Gunnah.

What is Qalqalah in Tajweed

The Qalqalah القلقلة occurs when any of the five letters (ق ط ب ج د) has a sukoon (a diacritical mark indicating the absence of a vowel sound afterwards). They should be pronounced in a specific way known as "echoing" or "vibration".
If a Qalqalah letter appears in the middle of a word, it has to be pronounced with a light bouncing sound, while if it appears at the end of a word, it is pronounced with a heavy bouncing sound.
The Qalqalah is one of the rules of recitation of the Quran that add beauty to the recitation by giving it a rhythmical and melodious sound.

What is Al-Madd in Tajweed

The Madd المدّ (meaning lengthening) is one of the important rules of Tajweed. It occurs when one of the vowel sounds (ا – و – ي) is elongated or prolonged in a specific context.
It can be of two types:

  • Al-Madd Al-Asli المدّ الأصلي (the original elongation):
    This could be also called Al-Madd Al-Tabee'i المد الطبيعي (natural elongation).
    This type occurs when a consonant sound is followed by a long vowel (letter of Madd) which is one of the letters (ا – و – ي).
  • Al-Madd Al-Farʿiee المد الفرعي (the secondary elongation):
    This type occurs when a one of the vowel sounds (ا – و – ي) is prolonged due to Hamzah (ء) or Sukoon falling after the vowel sound.

What is Two Beat Madd in Tajweed

One of the most important Tajweed rules is The Madd and one of the most frequent cases is the two beat Madd.
Two beat Madd is the natural prolongation of any Arabic long vowel, as the long vowel duration is twice of the short vowel.
Two beat Madd occurs in these case:

  • When Alif (aa) is not followed by a Hamzah (ء) or a Sukoon (ــۡـ).
  • When Waaw (uu) is preceded by a Dammah (ــُـ) and not followed by a Hamzah (ء) or a Sukoon (ــۡـ).
  • When Yaa (ii) is preceded by a Kasrah (ــِـ) and not followed by a Hamzah (ء) or a Sukoon (ــۡـ).

What is Flexible Madd in Tajweed

Flexible Madd is another type of Madd that occurs when (Waaw or Yaa) are signed with a Sukoon and preceded by a Fathah (as in the words: خَوۡف – قُرَيۡش). These are not long vowels, rather they are represented semi-vowels.
The duration of Madd of the semi-vowel sounds can vary depending on the continuous reading or the stop.

  • If you stop reading on the word ending with the syllable containing a semi-vowel, it is allowed to lengthen this Madd 2, 4, or 6 beats.
  • If you continue reading, the lengthening should be less than two beats (longer than one vowel count).

What is Four Beat Madd in Tajweed

Tajweed rules state that secondary Madd occurs due to either Hamzah (ء) or Sukoon falling after one of the long vowels (ا – و – ي).
The Four Beat Madd is a type of Madd that occurs when there is a Hamzah (ء) coming after one of the long vowel sounds (ا – و – ي).

  • If the Hamzah which follows the long vowels is in the same word, as (سمَاء – يضيء – سوء). This type is called “the Joined Lengthening” المد المتصل.
  • If the Hamzah which follows the long vowels is in the following word, as (يا أيُّها – في أمري – قالوا إن). This type is called “the separate lengthening” المد المتصل.

In those types of Madd, four beats could be an option (among other options detailed in Tajweed sources).

What is Six Beat Madd in Tajweed

The Tajweed rules related to the Six Beat Madd are different.
The six beat made is “mainly” caused by Sukoon (ــۡـ) falling after one of the long vowel letters (ا – و - ي). This type of Madd is called (the compulsory Madd المد اللازم). It’s divided into 4 sub-types, as follows:

  • The Compulsory Heavy Madd in a Word المد اللازم الكلمي المثقل E.g.: ٱلۡحَآقَّةُ
  • The Compulsory Light Madd in a Word المد اللازم الكلمي المخفف E.g.: آلۡآنَ
  • The Compulsory Heavy Madd in a Letter المد اللازم الحرفي المثقل E.g.: الٓمٓ
  • The Compulsory Light Madd in a Letter المد اللازم الحرفي المخفف E.g.: صٓ

What is Meem Sakinah in Tajweed

Meem Sakinah is the letter "Mim" (م) that has a "Sukoon" either written or not written on it.
There are three rules for Meem Sakinah according to the following letter, as follows:

  • If the following letter is another Meem (regardless of the diacritic sign on it), there should be Idgham (merging or assimilation).
  • If the following letter is Baa (ب) (regardless of the diacritic sign on it), there should be Ikhfaa (hiding or concealment).
  • If the following letter is any other letter (rather than Meem and Baa), there should be Izhaar (Iđhhār clarity).

In the following paragraphs, we will have a more detailed idea of these three rules.

What is Idghaam Shafawy in Tajweed

When another Meem (regardless the diacritic sign on it) falls after Meem Sakinah (Meem with Sukoon), there should be Idgham (merging or assimilation).
This Idgham is called “Idgham Shafawy” meaning (Labial Merging) to distinguish it from the Idgam of Noon Sakinah and Tanween mentioned above.
Also, there should be a complete Ghunnah (a prolonged nasal sound).
When Idgham Shafawy occurs, the first Meem is written without any diacritic sign on it, while the second one should be signed with Shaddah + the original vowel sign on it.
E.g.: هُمۡ مِّنۡه – كَمۡ مِّن

What is in Ikhfaa Shafawy Tajweed

When the letter Baa (regardless of the diacritic sign on it) falls after Meem Sakinah (Meem with Sukoon), there should be Ikhfaa (hiding or concealment) happens the Meem Sakinah.
This Ikhfaa is called “Ikhfaa Shafawy” meaning (Labial concealment) to distinguish it from the Ikhfaa of Noon Sakinah and Tanween mentioned above.
Also, there should be a complete Ghunnah (a prolonged nasal sound).
When Ikhfaa Shafawy occurs, the first Meem is written without any diacritic sign on it, while the Baa should remain with the original vowel sign on it.
E.g.: ترمِيهِمۡ بِحِجارة – هُمۡ بِه
There is disagreement among scholars about how to perform this Ikhfaa’, so you have to follow your own Shaykh or Teacher.

What is Izhaar Shafawy in Tajweed

The third case of Meem Sakinah is the labial clarity (الإظهار الشفوي Iđhhār Safawy). It occurs when any other letter from the Arabic alphabet (rather than Meem and Baa) falls after Meem Sakinah (Meem with Sukoon).
This Iđhhār is called “Iđhhār Shafawy” meaning (Labial clarity) to distinguish it from the Iđhhār of Noon Sakinah and Tanween mentioned above.
Also, there should be an incomplete Ghunnah (a slight nasal sound).
When Iđhhār Shafawy occurs, the first Meem is written with a normal Qur’anic Sukoon on it, while the following letter should remain with its original vowel sign on it.
E.g.: هُمۡ فِيها – أنعمۡت

Quran Symbols of Tajweed

Here are some of the most common Tajweed symbols:

Sukoon

In Arabic Sukoon is a small circle placed above a letter (ــْـ), while in Qur’an it is a small head of the letter ح ħaa (ۡ).

Shaddah

A small W-shaped mark (ــّـ) written above a letter indicating that it is to be pronounced twice as long as usual.

Madd

Madd symbol is a diacritic sign which is written as a horizontal tilde-shaped line (~). In Arabic writing, it indicates Hamzah + long vowel (ا), while in Qur’an, it means that any long vowel (ا – و - ي) could be prolonged more than usual.

Tanween

A double diacritical mark written above a letter indicating a combination of a short vowel "a, i, u" with “Noon” sound.

Hamza

While Hamzah (ء) could represent the first letter of the Arabic alphabet, it also could be a diacritic mark sign to be written above some letters. It’s a small head of (ع ʿayn) and indicates the sound of a glottal stop.

Meem Sakinah

A letter Meem (م) that has a Sukun (either written or hidden). It could be subject to merging, hiding, or clarity.

Nun Sakinah

A letter Noon (ن) that has a Sukoon (either written or hidden). It could be subject to merging, hiding, conveting or clarity.

Stopping and Pausing Signs

The Permissible Stop - ج

It indicates that you can stop or continue. Both are correct.

The Embracing Stop - ∴ ∴

These two sets of three pyramid-shape dots indicate that if you stop on one, you have not stopped on the other. You can't stop on both or continue on both.

The Preferred Continuation - صلى

*You can stop at this sign but it's preferred to not to.

The Mandatory Continuation - لا

Never stop at this sign.

The Mandatory Stop - مـ

You must stop at this sign.
If you don't stop, it will totally change the meaning of the verse.

The Silence Symbol - س

Take a brief pause without breaking your breath and then continue.

Sajdah = Prostration - ۩

Wherever you see this sign, It means you have to perform sajdah.

The Preferred Pause - قلى

You can continue but preferred to not to

The History of Tajweed Rules

At the time of the Prophet (PBUH), the companions would learn the Quran directly from him, so there was no need to learn or write down any rules of recitation of the Quran.
After the death of the Prophet (PBUH), and Islam spread to different regions, people started reciting the Quran in their own dialects.
As many non-Arabs accepted Islam, errors and melody increased in the recitation, so they felt the necessity to learn the rules of reading the Quran.
Scholars studied and documented various recitation styles.
Abu Ubaid al-Qasim bin Salam (774 – 838 CE) was the first person, who gathered all rules of the science of Tajwid in his book al-Qiraat.
Here are some other scholars who have written books on the same topic.

  • Abu Bakr Ibn Mujāhid (859 - 936 CE) wote “Kitab al-Sab’ah fil-qirā’āt”
  • Imam Ibn ul-Jazari wrote two large poems about Qira'at and tajwid.
  • Imam Al-Shatibi wrote a poem ash-Shatibiyyah in Qira’at.

How do you memorize Tajweed rules?

Teacher

The best way is to learn from a teacher. It’s not recommended to learn any religious science, especially Tajweed and Qur’an on self-learning.
Qualified Tajweed Teacher is someone who has an Ijazah (a license) to teach the Quran and with a strong grip on the Arabic language, so he/she can teach you Tajweed rules in Arabic.

How to Get Ijazah in Tajweed

To get Ijazah certificate (permission to narrate and teach Qur’an), the student must recite the whole Quran with Tajweed correctly from his own memory. Some Shaykhs provide limited Ijazah for reading from Mushaf.
Ijazah contains a chain of all certified Quran narrators starting from the Prophet (PBUH) and ending with the student, so it represents a great honor to be one of the authorized Quran narrators.

Diagrams

To memorize Tajweed rules quickly and efficiently, you can:

  • Draw the Tajweed signs and symbols
  • Practice reciting as much as you can. Practicing will make your perfect and it will help you to memorize

Recordings

Please remember that the meaning of Tajweed is the betterment or improvement, so Tajweed rules are made for practice. You can improve your listening skill by audio recordings.
The internet is full of Quran recitation audios, so, choose any of your favorite Qari (narrator). Download it or you can use streaming platforms like Spotify.
You can listen to these audios anywhere and whenever you want. Listening to audios will improve your listening power and will help you to get the accent.

Online Groups and Communities

There are many online Tajweed groups and communities, especially for Tajweed rules for beginners.
Where you can join and practice with other people.
This will improve your recitation and your Tajweed knowledge.

Benefits of learning Tajweed Rules

There are many benefits from learning Tajweed rules, as:

  • It enables you to have spiritual and practical benefits
  • Improves the recitation of the Quran
  • Enables you to know rules of reading Quran
  • Increases the understanding of the Quran
  • It can help you to memorize the Quran
  • It helps to improve communication skills in Arabic

It helps to improve communication skills in Arabic

Advantages of learning Tajweed with Madinah Arabic:

  • Get a free trial
  • Take Tajweed lessons at your own pace
  • Can be learned from anywhere in the world
  • Know how to learn Tajweed easily

Please, sign up for the free trial lesson and enroll in the course.
To sum up, Tajweed is an Arabic phonetic science that was made originally for reading Qur’an. It deals with the articulation points of all letters in detail and the fixed and changeable characteristics of each sound.