What is Tajweed? 

Tajweed means to adorn and beautify. In the context of the recitation of the Quraan Shareef, Tajweed refers to the correct pronunciation of the letters and applying the various rules of recitation.

It is a set of rules which dictate how the Qur’an should be read. It comes from the root word ‘JA-was-da’, meaning to make well, improve, or improve.

The linguistic meaning of Tajweed is Betterment’.

The technical meaning of Tajweed is Articulating every letter from its articulation point and giving the letter its rights and dues of characteristic. Rights of the letters are its required characteristics that never leave it. The dues of the letters are its presented characteristics that are present in it sometimes and not present at other times.

IMPORTANCE OF TAJWEED:

• Allah Ta’ala says in the noble Qur’an,

“And recite the Qur’an with Tarteel (in a slow pleasant tone and style).”

• The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) has said: “Indeed Allah desires that the Qur’an be recited in the manner it was revealed.”
• When asked about the meaning of Tarteel, Ali (Radhiallaahu Anhu) replied, “It means that the Qur’an should be recited with Tajweed and with due observance to the rules of Waqf (pausing or stopping at the end of the verse).” The Qur’an is in the Arabic language, and the Arabic language is susceptible.

The scholars agree that applying the Tajweed rules of the Quran is an individual obligation upon every Muslim who has memorized or read a part or all of the Quran. If anyone recites the Holy Quran without the Rules of Tajweed, sometimes the meaning can change.

Example

Correct

قل هو الله أحد

Incorrect

کل هو الله أحد

We must pronounce its letters correctly. This implies that one needs to pay attention to the correct pronunciation of the various letters and words, length and pause etc.

The importance of Tajweed cannot be overemphasized. The recitation of the Qur’an Shareef in salaah is compulsory. Often, due to not reciting the Qur’an Shareef with Tajweed, the salaah is affected. It is, therefore, necessary to learn Tajweed so that the Qur’an Shareef may be recited correctly.

Arabic is a very mild language. A slight mispronunciation can completely change the meaning. The word Qalb means heart. If the Qaaf in Qalb is not pronounced correctly and instead it is pronounced as a kaaf, the meaning changes to “dog!” In Surah Kausar, the word “wan Har” means sacrifice. If the Haa is not pronounced correctly, the meaning changes to “scold!” It is thus evident that the rules of Tajweed must be applied in the recitation of the Qur’an Shareef.

There are many detailed laws of tajweed which take a long time to study. Tajweed will enable a learner to recite the Quraan Shareef correctly. Nevertheless, the correct application of tajweed rules depends upon listening to their application by someone who has learnt how to recite the Qur’an Shareef with Tajweed. Thus, the teacher must recite the various examples, highlighting the particular rule that is being applied therein to grasp the rule’s application fully.

There are ten (tawātur) schools of Qur’an Recitation, the most prevalent of which is the recitation of Imam’ Asim as transmitted by Imam Hafs.

Tajweed of the Holy Qur’an is the knowledge and application of the rules of recitation to the reading of the Qur’an as the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) recited.

• Allah orders: “Pronounce the Quran carefully (with tarteel).”

According to verified sources, the Messenger said: “Study the Quran with the Arabic melody and sounds.”

Rules for Recitation of The Holy Qur’an:

• Purity of body and clothes and place (Wadu). Seeking refuge from the rejected Satan and reading the Basmalah.
• Avoid cutting off reading to talk with people.
• Understanding of the origin of the words.
• Presence of the heart while reading (Through this, the reader should throw away other thoughts while reading the Qur’an.). Humbleness and crying when reading (When reciting the Holy Qur’an, one should create an expression of fear and absolute respect for the greatness of the words of Allah Ta’ala, as if to say that the reciter isin the presence of his Creator.).
• The Holy Qur’an must be read for the pleasure of
• Allah Ta’ala and for His happiness. The Holy Qur’an must be read with proper pronunciation, knowing and applying the basic rules of Tajweed.
• Only ritually clean (Tahir) persons can recite the Qur’an. The Qur’an can be touched by a person who is ritually clean after ablution (wudu’). The Qur’an can be recited from one’s memory in a state of sitting, standing, walking or reclining with or without wudu’. A menstruating woman can recite an ayah by breaking it into two parts and exercising a pause in between if she is teaching the Qur’an to people. Such a person is not allowed to recite an ayah without introducing a break