By learning Tajweed (تجويد) Quran recitation is corrected and purified. This ensures that the recitation is done correctly, reflecting the way it was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). “Tajwid” means to make good, make good or improve.

Importance of Tajweed

1. Accurate Recitation:
– Tajweed helps in pronouncing each letter correctly and distinctly, ensuring that the meaning of the words is not altered.

2. Preservation of the Quran:
– By adhering to the rules of Tajweed, Muslims ensure the preservation of the Quran’s original pronunciation and melody.

3. Spiritual Benefit:
– Proper recitation enhances the spiritual experience and connection to the words of Allah.

Basic Rules of Tajweed

1. Makharij al-Huruf (مخارج الحروف):
– The points of articulation of the letters. Each letter in the Arabic language has a specific place of origin in the mouth or throat from which it should be pronounced.

2. Sifaat al-Huruf (صفات الحروف):
– The attributes of the letters. This includes characteristics like heaviness (tafkhim) and lightness (tarqiq), and other qualities such as the sounds being prolonged, shortened, or nasalized.

3. Rules of Nun sakin and Tanween:
– Idgham (إدغام): Merging of a letter.
– Iqlab (إقلاب): Changing one letter into another.
– Ikhfa (إخفاء): Hiding or making a letter sound with a nasal quality.
– Izhar (إظهار): Pronouncing the letter clearly without merging.

4. Rules of Laam and Raa:
– Laam in the word “Allah” is pronounced with a heavy or light sound depending on the preceding vowel.
– Raa has specific rules for being pronounced heavy (mufakhkham) or light (murakhkham).

5. Madd (مد):
– Prolongation of sounds. This includes rules for extending vowels and specific instances like madd tabee’i (natural lengthening), madd munfasil, and madd muttasil.

6. Stopping and Starting (Waqf and Ibtida):
– Rules for stopping at the end of verses and correctly resuming recitation.

Learning Tajweed

1. Guided Instruction:
– Learning Tajweed typically involves guidance from a qualified teacher who can provide real-time feedback and correction.

2. Practice:
– Consistent and regular practice is crucial. Reciting the Quran while focusing on applying Tajweed rules helps in internalizing them.

3. Listening and Mimicking:
– Listening to recordings of proficient reciters can aid in understanding the correct pronunciation and application of Tajweed rules.

Tajweed is essential to preserve the correct and original pronunciation of the Qur’an. This ensures that the verse is recited as it was revealed, preserving its meaning and enhancing the spiritual experience. Learning and applying Tajweed is an important part of a Muslim’s understanding and connection to the Qur’an.