English Tajweed
📖 Recite the Quran Correctly (Tajweed Basics)
Alhamdulillah! Here are the fundamental rules of **Tajweed** with Romanized explanations and Arabic examples. We use a special color code to make each rule easy to understand.
📝 Page Index (Contents)
1. What is Tajweed? (Definition & Importance) 2. Huroof-e-Tahajji (Basic Arabic Letters) 3. Makharij (Exits of the Letters) 4. Sifaat (Qualities of the Letters) 5. The 3 Basic Rules of Tajweed1. What is Tajweed? (Definition & Importance)
Literal Meaning: Tajweed literally means **'To improve'** or **'To beautify'**.
Technical Definition: In Islamic terminology, Tajweed is the science of pronouncing every **Letter** from its correct **Makhraj** (point of articulation) with all its due **Sifaat** (qualities).
Why it is Necessary: It is necessary to recite the Quran as it was revealed by Allah, so that the **meaning** is not altered. Learning Tajweed is **Fard-e-Kifayah** (communal obligation), and reciting the Quran correctly is **Fard-e-Ain** (individual obligation).
2. Huroof-e-Tahajji (Basic Arabic Letters)
There are 29 Arabic letters. These letters, from Alif (ا) to Yaa (ي), form the **First Foundation** of correct Tajweed by ensuring they are articulated from their proper Makharij.
3. Makharij (Exits of the Letters)
Meaning: Makhraj means the **'Place of Exit'**.
Technical Definition: Technically, **Makhraj** is the precise point of articulation where the sound of a letter is correctly produced. (There are 17 Makharij across 5 main areas).
3.1. Letters from the Halq (Throat)
| Part of Throat | Letters (Arabic) | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Deepest Part (Chest side) | ء، هـ | Hamza, Haa |
| Middle Part | ع، ح | 'Ain, Haa |
| Highest Part (Mouth side) | غ، خ | Ghain, Khaa |
3.2. Letters from the Zabaan (Tongue)
18 letters are pronounced using the tongue. The tongue is the largest center for Makharij.
| Part of Tongue | Letters (Arabic) | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Deepest Root | ق | Qaaf (Heavy and Strong) |
| Slightly Forward from Root | ك | Kaaf (Light) |
| Middle of the Tongue | ج، ش، ي | Jeem, Sheen, Yaa **(Non-Madd Yaa)** |
| Side Edge of the Tongue | ض | Daad (The most difficult Makhraj) |
| ... | ... | ... |
3.3. Letters from the Hont (Lips) and Jauf (Empty Space)
Jauf (Empty Space): The empty space inside the mouth and throat is the origin for the **3 Madd letters** (ا، و، ى).
4. Sifaat (Qualities of the Letters)
Meaning: Sifat means **'Quality'** or **'Attribute'**.
Technical Definition: Sifaat are the **Manner and Characteristics** of the sound of the letters when they are articulated from their Makharij.
Ghunnah (Nasal Sound): Remember! Ghunnah is not a letter, but an attribute found only in **Noon (ن)** and **Meem (م)**, and its sound comes from the nose (Khaishoom).
5. The 3 Basic Rules of Tajweed
5.1. Rules of Noon Saakin (نْ) and Tanween (اً ٍ ٌ)
There are 4 rules for **Noon Saakin** (نْ) and **Tanween** (اً ٍ ٌ) based on the letter that follows:
(a) Izhar (Clear Pronunciation)
Condition: When one of the 6 throat letters (ء، هـ، ع، ح، غ، خ) follows Noon Saakin/Tanween.
Arabic Example:
Explanation: Noon Saakin (نْ) is colored **Blue** and the following throat letter (آ) is **Green**. Pronounce the Noon clearly (No Ghunnah).
(b) Idgham (Merging)
Condition: When one of the letters of 'Yar-ma-loon' (ي، ر، م، ل، و، ن) follows Noon Saakin/Tanween.
Arabic Example:
Explanation: Noon Saakin (نْ) is colored **Red** (as it is not pronounced) and is merged with Yaa (يَ) with Ghunnah.
(c) Iqlab (Changing)
Condition: When only the letter **Ba (ب)** follows Noon Saakin/Tanween. (The sound of Noon changes to Meem (م)).
Arabic Example:
Explanation: The sound of Noon Saakin (نۢ) changes to the sound of a small Meem and is recited with Ghunnah.
(d) Ikhfa (Hiding with Ghunnah)
Condition: When any of the remaining 15 letters follows Noon Saakin/Tanween.
Arabic Example:
Explanation: Noon Saakin (نْ) is colored **Purple** and its sound is hidden in the nose (Ghunnah) while preparing to pronounce the next letter.
5.2. Rules of Meem Saakin (مْ)
There are 3 rules for Meem Saakin (مْ): Ikhfaa Shafawi, Idgham Shafawi, and Izhaar Shafawi.
5.3. Qalqalah (Echo) Letters
Letters: Five letters: **ق، ط، ب، ج، د** (Combined: **قُطْبُ جَدّ**).
Rule: When these five letters have a **Jazm/Sukun** (no vowel sign), a slight **Echo** is produced in their sound.
📞 Contact Us to Learn the Quran
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