The science of Tajweed focuses on improving the recitation of the Holy Qur’an by articulating each letter from its correct point of articulation and giving it its due rights and characteristics. Tajweed is one of the fundamental sciences for every Muslim who seeks to recite the Qur’an correctly, seeking Allah’s pleasure and earning rewards. In this article, we will explore the concept of Tajweed, its virtues, and the importance of learning it.
What is the Science of Qur’anic Tajweed?
Name: Tajweed Science.
Linguistically: Tajweed means to beautify or improve.
Technically: It is the proper articulation of every letter from its correct point of articulation while giving it its rights (permanent characteristics like whispering or loudness) and dues (temporary characteristics like heavy or light pronunciation, e.g., the letter “Raa”).
What is the Virtue of Tajweed and Its Ruling in Islamic Law?
Tajweed is a branch of Islamic knowledge related to the Qur’an because Islamic law introduced its rules. Learning Tajweed is a communal obligation (fard kifayah)—if some Muslims fulfill it, others are exempt. However, applying it while reciting the Qur’an is a personal obligation (fard ‘ayn) for everyone who reads the Qur’an.
What is the Evidence for the Obligation of Tajweed?
From the Qur’an: Allah says, “And recite the Qur’an with measured recitation” (Surah Al-Muzzammil: 4).
From the Sunnah: The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Allah has not permitted anything as He has permitted a Prophet with a beautiful voice reciting the Qur’an aloud.”
From Scholarly Consensus: Scholars have unanimously agreed on the obligation to recite the Qur’an with correct Tajweed from the Prophet’s time until today.
Why Should You Learn the Rules of Tajweed?
The main goal of Tajweed is to protect the tongue from mistakes when reciting the Qur’an, ensuring a reader earns full reward, pleases Allah, and attains happiness in this life and the Hereafter. This protection requires:
Training the tongue with frequent repetition.
Knowing the articulation points of the letters.
Understanding their characteristics.
Learning the rules of Qur’anic words.
From Where Are Tajweed Rules Derived?
The rules of Tajweed were derived from how Angel Jibreel (peace be upon him) recited the Qur’an to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The Prophet taught it to his companions, who then passed it down through generations to today’s scholars.
Who Established the Rules of Tajweed?
Practically, it was the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who learned it from Jibreel. Theoretically, scholars differ:
Some say it was Al-Khalil ibn Ahmad Al-Farahidi.
Others say it was Abu Al-Aswad Al-Du’ali.
Others attribute it to Hafs ibn Umar Al-Douri or the Imams of Qira’at.
What Are the Topics of Tajweed?
Tajweed covers various topics like:
Rules of elongation (Madd) and shortening (Qasr).
Rules of the silent Noon and Tanween.
Rules of the silent Meem.
What Are the Tajweed Rules?
The rules of Tajweed vary in pronunciation depending on the specific letters, their position in the word, and to avoid confusion in pronunciation, Tajweed scholars have categorized these rules to make them easier to understand and teach, ensuring each letter is articulated from its correct point of origin.
Rules of Silent Meem (Mīm Sākinah)
There are three different rules for the silent meem in Tajweed:
Idgham Shafawi (Oral Merging): The silent meem is merged with the following moving meem, pronounced as a stressed meem with ghunnah (nasal sound) for two counts. Example: “جاءكمْ مِنْ قبل”.
Ikhfa Shafawi (Oral Concealment): Occurs when a silent meem is followed by the letter ب, where the meem is concealed while maintaining ghunnah for two counts. Example: “وما همْ بمؤمنين”.
Izhar Shafawi (Oral Clarification): The silent meem is pronounced clearly without ghunnah if followed by any Arabic letter except meem and baa. Example: “ولكمْ فيها فواكه”.
Rules of Silent Noon (Nūn Sākinah) and Tanween
The rules for silent noon and tanween are divided into four types:
Izhar Halqi (Throat Clarification): The silent noon or tanween is pronounced clearly without ghunnah when followed by throat letters: (ء، هـ، ع، ح، غ، خ). Example: “من عمل صالحًا”.
Idgham (Merging): The silent noon or tanween is merged with the following letter, divided into:
Idgham with Ghunnah: With letters (ي، ن، م، و), pronounced with ghunnah for two counts. Example: “جنة ونعيم”.
Idgham without Ghunnah: With letters (ل، ر), pronounced without ghunnah. Example: “قل ربكم”.
Ikhfa Haqiqi (True Concealment): The silent noon or tanween is concealed with ghunnah when followed by any of the ikhfa letters (ت، ث، ج، د، ذ، ز، س، ش، ص، ض، ط، ظ، ف، ق، ك). Example: “منْ خيرٍ”, “ينْقلب”.
Iqlab (Conversion): The silent noon or tanween is converted into a concealed meem with ghunnah when followed by the letter ب. Example: “مِنْ بعد”.
Rules of Tafkheem (Heaviness) and Tarqeeq (Lightness)
Heavy Letters (Tafkheem): Letters always pronounced heavily: (خ، ص، ض، غ، ط، ق، ظ). Example: “قال”, “خالد”.
Light Letters (Tarqeeq): All letters except the heavy ones. Example: “فرعون”, “ملك”.
Letter Rā (ر): Pronounced heavily if it is fatḥah or ḍammah, and lightly if it is kasrah. Example: “رَبِّ اغفر لي” (heavy), “فِرْعون” (light).
Lām in Allah’s Name: Pronounced heavily if preceded by fatḥah or ḍammah, and lightly if preceded by kasrah. Example: “الله أكبر”, “بسم الله”.
Rules of Madd (Elongation)
Natural Madd (Madd Asli): Basic elongation without cause, extended for two counts. Example: “قال”, “يجري”.
Secondary Madd (Madd Far’i): Elongation beyond the natural length, divided into:
Connected Madd (Madd Muttasil): When a madd letter is followed by a hamzah in the same word. Example: “السماء”.
Separated Madd (Madd Munfasil): When a madd letter is in one word and a hamzah in another. Example: “بما أنزل”.
Madd Badal: When a hamzah precedes a madd letter. Example: “آمنوا”.
Temporary Madd for Sukoon (Madd ‘Arid Lis-Sukoon): Occurs when stopping on a word ending with a sukoon. Example: “العالمينْ”.
Mandatory Madd (Madd Lazim): When a madd letter is followed by a permanent sukoon. Example: “دابَّة”, “الطامَّة”.
Madd Leen (Soft Elongation): With waaw and yaa sakinah preceded by fatḥah. Example: “خوف”, “بيت”.
Rules of Qalqalah (Echoing Sound)
Qalqalah is a vibration of sound when pronouncing certain letters in a state of sukoon. The five letters are: (ق، ط، ب، ج، د).
Minor Qalqalah: When the letter is in the middle of a word. Example: “يَطْبَعُ”.
Major Qalqalah: When the letter is at the end of a word and paused on. Example: “الحقْ”, “يومئذٍ تحدث أخبارها”.
Rules of Waqf (Pause) and Ibtidaa (Start)
Complete Pause (Waqf Tamm): Stopping at a word with a complete meaning. Example: “إن الله غفور رحيم”.
Sufficient Pause (Waqf Kafi): Stopping at a word that makes sense but is related to what follows. Example: “ذلك الكتاب لا ريب فيه هدى للمتقين”.
Good Pause (Waqf Hasan): Stopping at a meaningful word but grammatically linked to what follows. Example: “الحمد لله”.
Improper Pause (Waqf Qabeeh): Stopping that distorts the meaning. Example: stopping at “لا” in “لا إله إلا الله”.
Rules of Sakt (Brief Pause)
Sakt is a slight pause without taking a breath to separate words. Examples include:
After “مالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ”.
After “عِوَجًا ۜ قَيِّمًا”.
Between “كلا بل ران” and “على قلوبهم”.
At “قالوا ربنا الله ثم استقاموا”.
Rules of Ghunnah (Nasal Sound)
Ghunnah is a nasal sound pronounced for two counts, appearing in:
Stressed Noon and Meem: Example: “إنَّ الله”, “ثمَّ نظر”.
In Idgham and Ikhfa: Example: “مِنْ ماءٍ”, “يومئذٍ يفر المرء”.
What is the Difference Between Tartil and Tajweed?
Tartil is reciting the Qur’an with a beautiful melody and pleasant voice while applying Tajweed rules.
Tajweed focuses on articulating each letter correctly and applying its rights and dues.
Thus, Tartil includes Tajweed, but Tajweed alone does not constitute Tartil.
Can You Learn Tajweed on Your Own?
Yes, but it requires effort and time. Methods include:
Reading Tajweed books.
Listening to skilled reciters.
Using specialized Tajweed apps.
However, it’s best to learn from a qualified Sheikh if possible or join Qur’an learning academies.
Conclusion
Tajweed is the foundation for reciting the Qur’an properly and reverently. Learning and applying Tajweed brings a servant closer to Allah and earns great rewards. By mastering Tajweed, a Muslim preserves the words of Allah from distortion and recites them in the most beautiful manner fitting the grandeur of the Qur’an.
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