“And when we read it, follow thou the reading.”
“Tajweed” is an Arabic word that linguistically means “to improve” or “to do something well.” In the context of the Quran, it is a set of rules that ensure the Quran is properly recited. It is based on the different pronunciations of the letters of the Quran. This blog will explore the concept of tajweed in detail while highlighting its rules.
Why Is Tajweed Important?
Tajweed is an essential part of reciting the Quran because it ensures the Quran is pronounced with the right meaning. If a Muslim doesn’t apply tajweed when reciting, they ensure that they don’t change the meaning of a certain word. For example, the word قلب is pronounced with a “Qaaf” sound and means “heart”; however, if one doesn’t use the proper tajweed and pronounces it with a “Kaaf” sound, the meaning changes to “dog.”
This is just one example of how severe the changes in meaning can be in the absence of tajweed. There are others that may even change the whole meaning of an ayah.
Is Tajweed Obligatory?
The correct view is that reading the Quran with tajweed is not obligatory. However, it is an obligation upon every Muslim to learn the correct rules of pronunciation, which help the tongue avoid mistakes and preserve meaning. It isn’t obligatory, but it is preferable for a Muslim to observe the proper rules of recitation.
Shaykh al-Islam Zakaria Al-Ansari states:
“It is imperative that one learns the rules of recitation that preserve the meaning and the functions of the words since failure to do so results in a Muslim being sinful.”
He described the errors in recitation and further stated:
“The clear error is the mispronunciation, which results in a change in meaning and function, such as reciting a dhammah (the short vowel “u” on top of a letter) instead of a kasrah (the short vowel “i” below the letter). And the concealed error is a mispronunciation that doesn’t affect the meaning or the function, such as turning a ن into م and Idghaam (the joining of two letters together to form one letter)
The Origin Of Tajweed
Tajweed was in place at the time of the Prophet PBUH when the Quran was revealed, and it has been taught and applied to Quranic recitation ever since. All the rules of tajweed that Muslims follow today were still in effect during the time of the Prophet PBUH. However, since the Quran was revealed in Arabic, they already knew how to correctly pronounce every letter, and the “rules of tajweed” Muslims find in books today were later formulated by scholars when many non-Arabs entered Islam because they did not speak the language of the Quran.
Rules Of Tajweed
There are many rules of tajweed that are to be followed when reciting the Quran, and some of them are described below.
Ghunnah
Ghunnah is translated as “nasalization.” It refers to a sound produced in the nose when one recites certain letters, such as م and ن. It is one of the most important rules in recitation because the letters to which it applies occur frequently and are common throughout the Quran. The best way to practice ghunnah is to hold the nose as if one is unable to breathe and then pronounce the letters. The nose will vibrate slightly, ensuring correct pronunciation.
Al-Madd
The madd, or the (~) symbol on top of a letter, signals that the reciter needs to stretch this letter longer than usual. However, the elongation depends on the situation (i.e., the placement of the madd) and the type of madd present. The length of madd is usually measured by beats.
The madd letters are mainly ا و ى, but they are used throughout the Quran on other letters as well.
Qalqalah
Qalqalah is a tajweed rule applied to letters to produce an echoing sound at the end of the recitation of certain letters. The rule of Qalaqalah serves the purpose of differentiating between letters with similar sounds when one stops at them. It also helps in creating flow when reciting. The qalqalah letters are as follows:
ق ط ب ج د
Iqlaab
This word means “converting” and is used to refer to the tajweed in which the letter ب is followed after a ن sakin or tanween; then the ghunnah turns into a م sound, and the ب is pronounced afterward.
Tanween
Tanween is identified by two short double lines above a letter. It can be on any letter and makes the sound of the letter ن instead of the letter itself. In simple words, tanween is the double of ‘zabar’ (one horizontal line on top of a letter), ‘zair’ (one horizontal line below the letter), and ‘paish’ (one comma-like symbol on top of a letter). It doesn’t matter where the tanween occurs; the pronunciation of the letter ن will remain the same.
م and ن Mushaddad
This rule is only applicable to two letters, م and ن. It states that when a tashdeed (a w-like symbol above the letters) is present, there will be a ghunna.
Ways To Learn Tajweed
Using A Mushaf With Colored Letters
It is a mushaf, which includes colored letters on which the rules of tajweed are applicable, and is one of the fastest ways to learn proper pronunciation. Unlike other methods, which require additional devices, this method only requires a Quran. Furthermore, the rules of tajweed are listed in detail at the back of this copy, allowing one to review them if they get stuck.
Auditory Learning
Searching for a Qari’s recitation on the internet and then listening to it is a way many prefer to learn tajweed and perfect it. The preferred way is to start from the surah (Al-Fatiha) and listen to the reciter ruku by ruku. After listening, one should recite the Quran themselves and try to apply the correct pronunciation to the best of their ability. Or they can record their recitation and play it alongside the Qari’s.
If there are mistakes within the recitation, one should try again. It is important to remember that learning Tajweed takes time. Therefore, one should not get disheartened and should keep in mind that Allah rewards a person according to their intention.
Hiring A Teacher
Hiring a teacher is one of the most preferred ways to learn Tajweed. It is the most effective way because when one recites in front of a teacher, they can correct them on the spot if they hear a mistake. One can hire a teacher online or in person. What matters is that the teacher is good and guides them properly throughout the process.
By An Online Course Or App
Using online courses or apps is another way to learn Tajweed because it allows one to learn at one’s own pace. These courses and apps also provide the basic knowledge one needs to know to ensure the Quran recitation is as proper as possible. There are many resources on the internet that offer information about Tajweed; however, one should look for those that include practice exercises, as they allow one to correct their pronunciation while learning.