Tajweed Rules for Quranic Recitation: A Structured Overview
Tajweed ensures correct pronunciation during Quranic recitation. Below is a overview presentation of the key rules:
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1. Articulation Points (Makharij al-Huruf)
- Throat (Al-Jawf): Three regions:
- Deep: ء (hamza), هـ (ha).
- Middle: ع (ayn), ح (ha).
- Closest: غ (ghayn), خ (kha).
- Tongue (Al-Lisan):
- ق (qaf): Back of the tongue.
- ك (kaf): Mid-tongue.
- ش (shin), ج (jim), ي (ya): Front/mid-tongue.
- ض (dad): Side of the tongue.
- ل (lam), ن (nun), ر (ra): Tip of the tongue.
- Lips (Ash-Shafatayn):
- ف (fa): Lower lip touches upper teeth.
- ب (ba), م (meem), و (waw): Lips rounded or pressed.
- Nasal Passage (Al-Khayshum): Ghunna (nasalization) for ن and م.
2. Characteristics of Letters (Sifat al-Huruf)
- Permanent:
- Hams (whisper): Letters like ف, س.
- Jahr (loudness): Letters like ب, ج.
- Shidda (strength): Letters with no airflow (e.g., أ, ق).
- Tawassut/Rikhawa (medium/softness): Letters like ل, ن.
- Temporary:
- Qalqalah (echo): ق, ط, ب, ج, د with sukoon.
- Ghunna: Nasal sound for ن and م with shadda.
3. Rules for Noon Sakinah and Tanween
- Izhar Halqi: Clear pronunciation if followed by ء, هـ, ع, ح, غ, خ (throat letters).
Example: مِنْ خَيْرٍ → “min khayrin”. - Idgham: Merge into following letter:
- With Ghunna: ن, م (e.g., مِنْ مَاء → “mim-mā’”).
- Without Ghunna: ي, ر, ل, و (e.g., مِنْ لَدُنْ → “mil-ladun”).
- Iqlab: Convert to م with Ghunna before ب (e.g., أَنبِتَ → “ambiti”).
- Ikhfa: Hide ن with Ghunna before remaining 15 letters (e.g., أَنْصَارُ → “anṣāru”).
4. Rules for Meem Sakinah
- Idgham Shafawi: Merge into م with Ghunna (e.g., هُمْ مُّؤْمِنُونَ → “hum mu’minūn”).
- Ikhfa Shafawi: Hide م before ب with Ghunna (e.g., تَرْمِيهِم بِحِجَارَةٍ → “tarmīhim bi-ḥijārah”).
- Izhar Shafawi: Pronounce clearly before other letters (e.g., أَلَمْ تَرَ → “alam tara”).
5. Madd (Elongation)
- Madd Asli: Natural elongation (2 counts) (e.g., قَالُوٓا۟).
- Madd Far’i:
- Madd Wajib Muttasil: 4-5 counts if hamza follows in the same word (e.g., جِئْتَ).
- Madd Jaiz Munfasil: 4-5 counts if hamza follows in the next word (e.g., إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ).
- Madd Lazim: 6 counts for compulsory elongation (e.g., آلْـَٔـٰنَ).
6. Qalqalah
- Letters: ق, ط, ب, ج, د with sukoon.
- Examples: اَقْتَرَبَ (subtle echo), تُبْ (stronger echo at word end).
7. Tafkheem vs. Tarqeeq
- Tafkheem (Heavy Letters): خ, ص, ض, غ, ط, ق, ظ.
- Tarqeeq (Light Letters): Others, except ل and ر, which vary by vowel:
- ر: Heavy with فتحة/ضمة, light with كسرة.
- لام in “Allah”: Heavy after فتحة/ضمة (الرَّحْمَـٰن), light after كسرة (بِاللَّهِ).
8. Hamzat al-Wasl vs. Hamzat al-Qat’
- Hamzat al-Wasl: Dropped when continuing (e.g., اِقْرَأْ → “iqra’”).
- Hamzat al-Qat’: Always pronounced (e.g., أَكْرَمَ).
9. Waqf (Stopping Rules)
- Sukoon: Default stop (e.g., الرَّحِيمُ → الرَّحِيمْ).
- Vowel Change: Occasionally to كسرة (e.g., عَلِيمٌ → عَلِيمٍ).
10. Solar and Lunar Letters (لام التعريف)
- Solar Letters: Assimilation of ل in “الـ” (e.g., الشَّمْسُ).
- Lunar Letters: ل pronounced (e.g., الْقَمَرُ).
Summary Table
Rule | Key Points |
---|---|
Makharij | Articulation points for each letter (e.g., throat, tongue). |
Idgham | Merge ن/ت into ي,ر,م,ل,و,ن with/without Ghunna. |
Madd | Elongation types (Asli, Wajib, Jaiz, Lazim). |
Qalqalah | Echo on ق,ط,ب,ج,د in sukoon. |
Tafkheem/Tarqeeq | Heavy vs. light pronunciation (e.g., ر after فتحة vs. كسرة). |
This structured approach ensures clarity and adherence to Tajweed principles, enhancing the beauty and accuracy of Quranic recitation.
Check our Quran Tajweed Class for Online tajweed live lessons from our qualified teacher.