Tajweed rules are a set of guidelines that govern the proper pronunciation, articulation, and melodious recitation of the Quran. These rules ensure that each letter, word, and verse is pronounced accurately, maintaining the integrity and beauty of the Quranic text. Tajweed symbols, on the other hand, are graphical notations and diacritical marks used to guide the correct pronunciation and recitation of the Quranic text. Moreover, This article will only go through some of the more important rules at a broad level. Here, One can use this as a guide as they learn the rules. Below are some definitions that will be used throughout the explanations
Importance of Tajweed Rules
Tajweed rules are essential for reciting the Quran correctly and with precision. Accordingly, They help in maintaining the sanctity and purity of the divine word of the Quran. By paying close attention to every little detail, the Quran is accurately and artistically delivered, allowing the listener to understand the words clearly and appreciate the beauty of the recitation
Pillars of Tajweed
Tajweed is a set of rules that govern the proper recitation of the Quran. Additionally, These rules ensure that each letter, word, and verse is pronounced accurately, maintaining the integrity and beauty of the Quranic text.
- Makharij Al Huroof The Points of Articulation
- Sifaat Ul Huroof Characteristics of Letters
- Rules of Tajweed
- Pronunciation of Letters
1.Makharij al-Huroof:مخارج الحروف
This rule deals with the correct pronunciation and articulation of each letter. It specifies the exact point of articulation for each letter in the mouth or throat.
- Al Jawf الْجَوْفُ– The Oral Cavity
- Al Halq الْحَلَق – The Throat
- Al Lisaan النِّسَانُ – The Tongue
- Ash Shafatain الشَّفْتَانِ – The Lips
- Al Khayshoom الْخَيْشُومُ – The Nasal Cavity
2. Sifaat al-Huroof: صفات الحروف
This rule focuses on the characteristics of each letter, such as whether it is heavy or light, aspirated or non-aspirated, and whether it has a nasal sound or not.
Sifat Al Huroof As Sifaatal Laazima – Permanent – with Opposites
- Al Hams – الْهَمْسُ, al Jahr – الجَهْرُ
- Ash-shidda (الشِّدَّةُ) -Tawassut The Intensity
- Al-istiala (الاِسْتِعَلاءُ)
- Al-itbaq (الإِطْبَاق) vs. Al infitah (الإِنْفِتَاح)
- Al-idhlaq (الإِذْلاقُ) vs. Al ismat (الإِصْمَات)
As Sifaatal Laazima – Permanent – Without Opposites
- As-Safeer (الصَفِير)
- Al-Qalqala (القَلْقَلَة)
- Al-leen – اللِّيْن
- Al inhiraf – الإِنْحِراف
- At-takreer – التَّكْرِير
- At tafashee – التَّفَشِي
- Al istitala – الإِسْتِطَالَة
3. Key Rules of Tajweed
Tajweed, from the onset, needs to be learned through hearing and practice to match the perfect recitation. Additionally, The rules below are only here as a descriptor and one should seek out assistance. Now, let’s delve into some of the key Tajweed rules:
- Arabic Letters and their Makharij: Understanding the proper pronunciation of each letter is crucial. Here, Each letter is pronounced from a specific point in the mouth or throat. For example, the letter “baa” is pronounced from the lips, while “jeem” is pronounced from the middle part of the tongue.
- Points of Enhancing and Lightening: Some letters are pronounced with more emphasis, while others are pronounced lightly. For instance, the letter “Qalqalah” (rebound) is pronounced with a slight bounce or echo, while the letter “Laam” is pronounced softly.
- Rules of Madd: Madd refers to elongating the sound of a letter. In addition, there are different types of Madd, such as “Madd Munfasil” (a clear elongation), “Madd Mutasil” (a connected elongation), and “Madd Badal” (a substitute elongation).
- Rules of Tafkheem and Tarqeeq: Tafkheem refers to pronouncing certain letters with a heavier or stronger sound, while Tarqeeq refers to pronouncing certain letters with a lighter or softer sound. Moreover, Understanding these rules helps in achieving proper pronunciation.
- Rules of Laam at-Tareef: Laam at-Tareef refers to the pronunciation of the definite article “the” (al) before certain letters. However, Depending on the letter that follows, the pronunciation may differ. For example, if the letter “laam” is followed by a letter with an empty “makhraj,” it is pronounced with a light “l” sound.
- Rules of Noon and Meem Mushaddad: Noon and Meem Mushaddad refer to the letters “noon” and “meem” when they have a shaddah (double consonant mark) on them. Also, These letters are pronounced with a doubled sound and require emphasis.
- Rules of Idghaam: Idghaam refers to the merging or assimilation of certain letters when they come into contact with one another. This occurs when specific letters follow one another and are pronounced together as one sound.
Rules Enlisted
- Noon Sakinah & Tanween
- Idhaar (to make clear)
- Idghaam (to merge)
- Iqlaab (to convert)
- Ikhfaa (to hide)
- Noon & Meem Mushaddad
- Meem Sakinah
- Ikhfaa Shafawy
- Idghaam Shafawy
- Izhaar Shafawy
- Qalqalah
- Al-Madd
- Two Beat Madd
- Flexible Madd (two, four, or six)
- Four Beat Madd
- Six Beat Madd
4. Pronunciation Letters تفخيم, الترقيق
Tafkheem and Tarqeeq categorize Arabic letters based on their heaviness or lightness. Tafkheem, representing heaviness, applies to seven letters consistently, such as Ta’, Dhaad, and Qaf. Moreover, Tarqeq, signifying lightness, applies to all other letters except three (ا – ل – ر). Furthermore, Alif’s heaviness depends on the preceding letter, while laam is usually light except in specific cases. Raa’s pronunciation can be heavy or light based on various rules.
MAKHAARIJ
Makhraj is the place where the sound of a letter starts. There are 17 makhaarij for 29 Arabic letters. Furthermore, Makhraj is singular and Makhaarij is plural. The makhaarij of 29 Arabic letters is explained as under.
1. إ – Alif sound comes from the emptiness of the mouth.
2. ب – Baa sound comes from the moist part of the lips.
3. ت – Taa sound comes when the tongue tip touches the roots of the upper 2 front teeth.
4. ث – Thaa sound comes when the tip of the tongue touches the edge of the upper 2 front teeth.
5. ج – Jeem sound comes when the middle of the tongue touches the palate.
6. ح – Haa sound comes from the middle of the throat.
7. خ – Khaa sound comes from the top of the throat nearest to the mouth.
8. د – Daal sound comes when the tongue tip touches the roots of the upper 2 front teeth.
9. ذ – Zaal sound comes when the tongue tip touches the edge of the upper 2 front teeth.
10. ر – Raa sound comes when the edge of the tongue touches the gums of the upper 2 front teeth.
11. ز – Zaa sound comes when the tip of the tongue touches the edge of the lower 2 front teeth and lightly touches the edge of the upper 2 front teeth.
12.س – Seen sound comes when the tip of the tongue touches the edge of the lower 2 front teeth and lightly touches the edge of the upper 2 front teeth.
13.ش – Sheen sound comes when the middle of the tongue touches the palate.
14. ص – Suad sound comes when the tip of the tongue touches the edge of the lower 2 front teeth and lightly touches the edge of the upper 2 front teeth.
15. ض – Dhuad sound comes from the upturned, back edge of the tongue when touching the upper molars and premolars.
Note: There are 3 ways of pronouncing Dhuad. a) From the right side. b) From the left side. c) From both sides at the same time. It is easier to pronounce Dhuad from the left side.
16. ط – Taw sound comes when the tongue tip touches the roots of the upper 2 front teeth.
17. ظ – Zaw sound comes when the tongue tip touches the edge of the upper 2 front teeth.
18.ع – Ain sound comes from the middle of the throat.
19. غ – Ghain sound comes from the top of the throat nearest to the mouth.
20. ف – Faa sound comes when the inner portion of the lower lip meets the edge of the upper two front teeth.
21. ق – Qaaf sound comes when the extreme back of the tongue touches the palate.
22. ك – Kaaf sound comes when the back of the tongue (not as far back as of Qaaf but a little forward towards the mouth) touches the palate.
23. ل – Laam sound comes when the edge of the tongue touches the gums of the upper 4 front teeth.
24. م – Meem sound comes when the dry part of both lips meet.
25. ن – Noon sound comes when the edge of the tongue touches the gums of the upper 3 front teeth.
26. و – Waaw sound comes when both lips are made round and meet incompletely.
27. ه – Haa sound comes from the bottom of the throat nearest to the chest.
28. ء – Hamza sound comes from the bottom of the throat nearest to the chest.
29. ي – Yaa sound comes when the middle of the tongue touches the palate
