Tajweed of Quran Step-by-Step Learning Guide
In the spiritual journey of a Muslim, the Quran holds a place of paramount importance. It is a guide for life and a source of comfort, inspiration, and wisdom. To fully appreciate and internalize its teachings, Muslims worldwide strive to recite the Quran in its most authentic form. This is where the art and science of Tajweed of Quran come into play. Tajweed, derived from the Arabic root word ‘j-w-d’ meaning ‘to improve’ or ‘to make better,’ refers to the set of rules governing the pronunciation during the recitation of the Quran. Understanding the Tajweed meaning ensures that each letter is given its due right, from articulation to duration, preserving the divine message’s original beauty and meaning.
What is the Tajweed of the Quran?
What is Tajweed in Islam? In Arabic, Tajweed refers to the set of rules for correct pronunciation during the recitation of the Quran. Although the term “Tajweed” is not explicitly mentioned in the Quran, Allah SWT highlights its significance in Surah Al-Muzammil, where it is stated: “and recite the Quran ˹properly˺ in a measured way.”
Muslims are instructed to recite the Quran in a measured and beautiful manner, reflecting its divine origin and ensuring the integrity of its message. The Quran, revealed by Allah with its precise wording and meaning, requires careful pronunciation to preserve its meaning and beauty.
The necessity of Tajweed rules also stems from the Quran being in Arabic. To maintain the correct recitation of the Quran, one must adhere to the specific characteristics of the Arabic language. Thus, Tajweed encompasses the comprehensive set of rules that govern the recitation of the Quran, making it essential for anyone aiming to achieve accurate and melodious recitation. Through proper recitation of the Quran with Tajweed, Muslims can ensure they honour the sacred text as it was revealed.
Importance of Tajweed of Quran
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) emphasized the tajweed quran, praising those who followed its rules in their recitation. A narration from Abdullah bin Mas’ud mentions that Abu Bakr and Umar conveyed the glad tidings that the Messenger of Allah said: “Whoever would like to recite the Quran as fresh as when it was revealed, let him recite it like Ibn Umm ‘Abd.”
Additionally, the Prophet (PBUH) advised, “Make your voices beautiful when you recite the Quran” (Sunan An-Nasa’i). This underscores the importance of reciting the Quran in the best possible manner. Human nature gravitates towards beauty, striving to read in a way that touches the heart and soothes the soul. A recitation imbued with Tajweed maintains the Quran’s authenticity and enhances the spiritual experience, invoking a sense of awe and making worship profoundly beautiful.
Basic Quran Tajweed Rules
Lesson 1: Tanween and Noon Sakinah
A fundamental aspect of tajweed quran involves the rules of Noon Sakinah and Tanween. Understanding these is essential for proper recitation.
- Tanween refers to nunation, which adds the sounds “an” with fatha, “un” with damma, and “in” with kasra at the end of words.
- Noon Sakinah is a Noon with Jazm (sukoon), meaning it is static without a vowel. Both Tanween and Noon Sakinah follow specific rules depending on the letters that come after them, and these rules are categorized into Ikhfaa, Izhaar, Idghaam, and Iqlaab.
Izhaar (Making Clear)
When one of the throat letters (Huruf Halqiyyah: خ, غ, ح, ع, هـ, ء) follows Tanween or Noon Sakinah, the recitation is clear without merging or hiding the sounds.
Idghaam (Merging)
This involves merging a non-voweled letter with a voweled one, creating a single prolonged sound. Idghaam is of two types:
– Without Ghunnah: When letters Lam (ل) or Ra (ر) follow Tanween or Noon Sakinah.
– With Ghunnah: When letters Ya (ي), Noon (ن), Meem (م), or Waw (و) follow Tanween or Noon Sakinah, a nasal sound is prolonged for two beats.
Iqlaab (Converting)
When the letter Ba (ب) follows Tanween or Noon Sakinah, the sound changes to Meem with a two-beat nasalization.
Ikhfaa (Hiding)
When any of the remaining letters (ت، ث، ج، د، ذ، ز، س، ش، ص، ض، ط، ظ، ف، ق، ك) follow Tanween or Noon Sakinah, the Noon sound is hidden with a nasalization.
2. Lesson 2: Rules of Meem Sakinah
The rules for Meem Sakinah are similar to those for Noon Sakinah and Tanween:
Ikhfaa Shafawy
When a Ba (ب) follows a Meem Sakinah, the Meem is hidden with a nasal sound.
Idghaam Mutamathelyne Sagheer
This occurs when a Meem with a vowel follows a Meem Sakinah, merging them into a single prolonged sound.
Izhaar Shafawy
When any letter other than Meem or Ba follows Meem Sakinah, the Meem is pronounced clearly.
3. Lesson 3: Al Madd (Prolongation)
Madd refers to the elongation of certain letters (ا, و, ى). The duration varies based on the following conditions:
– Two Beat Madd (Natural Madd): Occurs naturally without any specific reason, like a hamza or sukoon.
-Four or Six Beat Madd (Flexible Madd): Applied when pausing on a word with Madd.
– Four Beat Madd: Occurs in the middle of a word when followed by a hamza.
– Six Beat Madd: Occurs when a Shaddah follows a Madd letter.
4. Lesson 4: Qalqalah (Echoing)
Qalqalah involves echoing certain letters (ق، ط، ب، ج، د) when they appear without vowels. The echo is stronger if the letter is at the end of a word.
Lesson 5: Noon and Meem Mushaddad
When Noon or Meem has a Shaddah sign, a two-beat nasal sound (Ghunnah) is applied, even when pausing on that letter.
Understanding these Quran tajweed rules is crucial for any student of the Quran. They ensure that the recitation remains true to its divine origins and is performed with beauty and precision.
How Long Does It Take to Learn Quranic Arabic for Recitation?
The time it takes to learn Quranic Arabic for recitation varies from person to person, typically ranging from 2 to 6 months. This duration can be shorter or longer depending on individual learning speeds. Regular lessons and dedicated weekly study time can significantly enhance the learning process.
A crucial factor in this journey is having a skilled instructor. Learning from someone experienced in teaching Tajweed ensures that you understand the rules, apply them correctly, and retain them permanently. It’s not about how quickly you learn but how well you possess the knowledge.
For those looking to master Quran tajweed online, finding a reliable platform is essential. Online courses like those offered by Easyway To Learn Quran provide structured courses and the flexibility to create a personalized study plan, ensuring an effective and convenient learning experience.
Bismillah,
We are born on fitrah—on purity, on truth, on a natural inclination toward goodness, and in full submission to our Creator. It’s not something we earn; it’s the way Allah made us.
“So set your face firmly toward the religion, as a pure monotheist—this is the fitrah of Allah upon which He created mankind. There is no change in the creation of Allah…”(30:30)
But somewhere along the way, the pull of Dunya, ego, and desires begins to cover that purity. And every time I go against what Allah created me for—when I ignore Him, forget Him, or disobey Him—I begin to feel something heavy inside.
That’s when Allah says: you have wronged your own soul.
This used to be a hard concept for me to grasp. I thought sins were just marks on a page, things I’d have to answer for later. I didn’t realise they hurt now—not because Allah’s punishment is immediate, but because I’m going against the very nature I was created upon.
I think of Prophet Adam (alayhi as-salam), created in the most pure state. Yet even he slipped. And what did he say?
“Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy on us, we will surely be among the losers.”
(Surah Al-A‘raf 7:23)
He didn’t say, “We made a mistake.” He said, “We wronged ourselves.”
Then there’s Prophet Yunus (alayhi as-salam)—a prophet of Allah, but even he felt the burden of turning away from what he was sent to do. And from the depths of darkness, he cried:
“There is no deity except You; glory be to You. Indeed, I was among the wrongdoers.”
(Surah Al-Anbiya 21:87)
And today, I learned this lesson again in the story of the man with the two gardens in Surah Al-Kahf.
He had everything: wealth, beauty, comfort. And he believed it would never end.
He said:
“I do not think this will ever perish.”(18:35)
Then Allah says:
“And he entered his garden while wronging himself (zalimun linafsihi).” (18:35)
That verse shook me.
He didn’t steal. He didn’t oppress others. He was simply arrogant.
And that was enough to be called someone who wronged himself.
Because we were not created for pride.
We were not created to assume our strength is our own.
We were created to recognise our need for Allah in every breath.
And when we forget that—even if everything looks fine on the outside—we begin to rot on the inside.
That’s the zulm. Subtle, quiet, but destructive.
But even then, Allah leaves the door open.
Just like He forgave Adam. Just like He rescued Yunus.
Just like He reminded the man of the gardens, through loss, what truly matters.
And so, I make their duas my own:
Ya Allah, I have wronged myself. Again and again. And yet, You never turned me away. Restore me to the purity I was born with. Bring me back to the soul that finds peace in obeying You. And never let me forget: when I go against You, I go against myself.
You can’t break someone held by God,
You can’t beat someone strengthened by God,
You can’t destroy hope in the hearts of true believers,
because they trust the promise of God is truth,
because they believe the plan of God will transcend all other plans,
because they know the mercy of God encompasses everything,
because they await God’s Inevitable justice,
because they’re fuelled and inspired by God‘s words and love in their hearts,
so even when there’s grief, tears, loss, and fear,
it is always enveloped with gratitude, hope and courage.
Bismillah 🌸
Many people claim to have power and they want to rule the world,to own its resources. But they are wrong,they are misguided. To Allah (SWT) belongs everything. To him belongs the earth, the universe,the heavens and everything else. We are the creations of Allah (SWT) and we shall all return to him. The wealth we earn in this world , all our priced possessions will not remain . Everybody will return to him and anybody who denys this cannot be helped.