Tajweed rules guide the correct pronunciation of the Qur’an, ensuring every letter is recited accurately to preserve its meaning. These include proper articulation of sounds, like the merging of letters in Idhgham, the elongation of vowels in Madd, and the correct pauses in Waqf.
Rules like Izhar and Iqlab focus on clarity and sound changes, while the Makharij Al-Huruf define where each letter should come from. Mastering Tajweed allows a beautiful, precise recitation that reflects the Qur’an’s true essence.
To understand any message right, you definitely need to read it correctly. For sure, no message on earth is more important than the Qur’an! It is Allah’s Words to us, to bring us out of all darkness to His guidance light.
Therefore, Tajweed is purposefully needed to learn, to master how to recite Allah’s Holy Book duly, so that we can preserve its words, and proper meanings, and act upon them accordingly.
Table of Contents
What Are the Tajweed Rules?
Tajweed rules are simply set to clarify how to recite the Qur’an properly, beautifully, and flawlessly, exactly as it was revealed to the Prophet (PBUH); as Muslims, we are commanded to recite Qur’an with tajweed, and follow that revealed recitation of Qur’an.
فَإِذَا قَرَأْنَـٰهُ فَٱتَّبِعْ قُرْءَانَهُۥ ١٨
[So once We have recited a revelation ˹through Gabriel˺, follow its recitation ˹closely˺.] [Al-Qiyamah: 18].
So, Tajweed rules are made to keep your vocal organs in right positions to produce the exact, correct sounds of the Qur’anic words, separately and jointly, to recite and understand them right, avoiding mispronouncing any of them that can consequently result in misinterpreting the intended meanings.
How Many Tajweed Rules to Learn?
Tajweed can be seen as a branched knowledge with many details to pay attention to; the exact number of the tajweed rules are different and debatable among the scholars: some say they are 9 basically, some say they are 12, and others say 19.
The reason behind this variety is that there are some of them which were not seen as ‘rules’ before by the Arabs themselves, as they used to use them automatically when reciting the Qur’an, like the manners and etiquettes of reciting the Qur’an generally, or the certain way of pronouncing certain letters precisely, and so on.
What Are the Tajweed Rules? With Examples:
To learn how to recite the Qur’an duly, one should study and practice those tajweed rules as they help greatly to keep you aware of the right positions of your vocal organs to produce the right pronunciation of the letters, and the words, separately, and jointly, too.
So, let see some of the most needed tajweed rules:
1. Isti’aathah and Basmala:
Isti’aathah indicates ‘seeking refuge’; it refers to ‘A’udhu billahi min ash-shaytaan-ir-rajeem’ in Arabic, that is in English: “I seek Allah’s refuge from the accursed Satan.”
Basmala indicates ‘starting with the Name of Allah’; it refers to ‘Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ar-Raheem’ in Arabic that is in English: “In the Name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful.”
When reciting the Qur’an, Muslim should know when to start with both Isti’aathah and Basmala, like at the start of the Surah, when to start with only Isti’aathah, like in Surah At-Tawbah, and when to resume reciting without both, like when when completing a surah already being recited, and so on.
2. The Rules of Noon Sakina, and Tanween:
The rules of Noon Sakina, and Tanween are for the words ending in نْ, (non-vowel n), and the nunation of /nn/ sound at the end of the indefinite words. There are four rules to consider for the letters coming after the noon sakina and tanween:
A. Izhar (Articulating Obviously):
It is when articulating the letters obviously, making them clear, as they are, non-affected by the noon sakina, nor tanween. Those Izar- letters are (ء – ه – ع – ح – غ –خ (, directly coming after tanween or , نْ whether in one word, or two separated, like:
{وَهُمْ يَنْهَوْنَ عَنْهُ وَيَنْأَوْنَ عَنْهُ}
.}يُوَادُّونَ مَنْ حَادَّ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ{
}وَمَا أُهِلَّ لِغَيْرِ اللَّهِ بِهِ وَالْمُنْخَنِقَةُ …{ }لطيفٌ خبير{
}مَنْ عَمِلَ صَالِحًا مِّن ذَكَرٍ أَوْ أُنثَى{
}وَنَزَعْنَا مَا فِي صُدُورِهِم مِّنْ غِلٍّ إِخْوَانًا عَلَىٰ سُرُرٍ مُّتَقَابِلِينَ{
B. Idhgham (Emerging):
It is called so, as you emerge the two letters: whether the tanween, or the noon sakina, with the following letter. They are two types of the Idhgham-letters:
With Ghunna: They are the letters: ي، ن، م، و) ): You shift the ghunna-sound from the noon Sakina, or tanween into the following letter, like:
(وَمَن يَعْمَلْ)— (أَمَنَةً نُّعَاسًا) —(مِن والٍ)— (صِراطاً مُسْتَقِيماً)– (مَلِكاً نُقاتِلْ)
Without Ghunna: They are the letters (ر، ل): You emerge the tanween, or noon sakina, into the following letter, without making the ghunna-sound; instead, you stress the following letter, whether ر، ل, like: (مِّن لَّبَنٍ)—(غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ)
C.. Iqlab (Turning):
Iqlab happens when ب follows a noon sakina, or tanween, that turns it into م /m/ and then the sound of ب /b/ afterwards, like:
}كَلا لَئِنْ لَمْ يَنْتَهِ لَنَسْفَعًا بِالنَّاصِيَةِ{ — } (مِن بَعْدِ وَصِيَّةٍ يُوصَىٰ بِهَا)
D. Ikhfaa (Hiding):
IKhfaa indicates that the noon sakina, or tanween hide while pronouncing the following letters, except its ghunna. The rest letters are those of Ikhfaa: [[ ت ث ج د ذ س ش ص ض ط ظ ف ق ك ]
ص؛ (أَنْ صَدُّوكُمْ)— (رِيحاً صَرْصَراً).
ذ؛ (وَأَنْذِرْهُمْ) — (ظِلٍّ ذِي)
ث؛ (مِنْ ثَمَرَةٍ)— (قَوْلاً ثَقِيلاً)
ك؛ (الْمُنْكَرِ) — (كِتَابٌ كَرِيمٌ)
ج؛ (إِنْ جَاءَكُمْ)،—(خَلْقٍ جَدِيدٍ).
ش؛ (فَأَنْشَرْنَا)،— (غَفُورٌ شَكُورٌ).
ق؛ (مِنْ قَرَارٍ)–(سَمِيعٌ قَرِيبٌ).
س؛ (الإِنْسَانُ)— (وَرَجُلاً سَلَماً).
د؛ (مِنْ دَابَّةٍ)— (كَاْسَاً دِهاقاً).
ط؛ (بِقِنْطَارٍ)— (صَعِيداً طَيِّباً).
ز؛ (مِنْ زَوَالٍ)— (صَعِيداً زَلَقاً).
ف؛ (فَانْفَلَقَ)— (خَالِداً فِيهَا).
ت؛ (وَمَنْ تَابَ)— (جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي).
ض؛ (مَنْضُودٍ)،— (وَكُلاً ضَرَبْنَا).
ظ؛ (مِنْ ظَهِيرٍ)،– (ظِلاًّ ظَلِيلاً).
3- The Rules of Noon and Meem Mushaddad (Stressed ن, م):
If there is shaddah on the meem or noon, produce a ghunna at the letter: 2-harkat- ghunna, not longer than this, for example: إنً، ثمً
4- Meem Sakina (Non-Vowel Meem):
It is a non-vowel meem; it has rules of pronunciation when following it with letters, as follows:
- Ikhfaa Shafawy: (Oral Hiding):
It is to hide the non-vowel meem under the following letter of ب, letting the ghunna pronounced, like: {وهمْ بالآخرة}، {ترميهمْ بحجارة}، {انتمْ به}.
- Idhgham Shafawy (Oral Merging):
It is to merge the non-vowel meem with the following meem, with pronouncing full-ghunna, like:
{ولكم ما كسبتم}، و:{ولهم مغفرة}
- Izhar Shafawy (Oral Articulating):
Simply, it is to clearly articulate the rest of the letters following the meem sakina, as they are, without ghunna, nor emerging, like:
﴿أَلَمْ يَجْعَلْ كَيْدَهُمْ فِـي تَضْلِيلٍ﴾
﴿إِنَّمَا نُطْعِمُكُمْ لِـوَجْهِ اللَّهِ لَا نُرِيدُ مِنكُمْ جَـزَاء وَلَا شُكُوراً﴾
﴿خَتَمَ اللّهُ عَلَى قُلُوبِهمْ وَعَلَى سَمْعِهِمْ وَعَلَى أَبْصَارِهِمْ غِشَاوَةٌ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ عظِيمٌ﴾
5- The Rules of Qalqala (Echoing):
Qalqala is such a vibrant, echoing sound produced when pronouncing certain letters: (ق ط ب ج د). The strength of making that echo of those letters differentiates, according to:
- In the Middle of the Word:
Like in مِّمَّا نَزَّلْنَا عَلَى عَبْدِنَا: here, ب, has a quick qalqala, as it is in the middle of the word عَبْدِنَا
- At the End of the Word:
Like in (وَلَقَدْ عَلِمُوا لَمَنِ اشْتَرَاهُ مَا لَهُ فِي الْآخِرَةِ مِنْ خَلَاقٍ), like in لَقَدْ, and خَلَاقٍ.
6- The Rules Of Al-Madd (Stretching):
Al-Madd is a tajweed rule concerning the Madd-letters of vowels (و ي ا). It is to stretch those letters and elongate them differently according to the words, and pauses, and so on. The Madd-length can be measured by types, like Madd-Badal, Madd-Lazim, Madd Munfassel, Madd-Mutassel, and so on, or by harakats, like when applying it: let’s see some examples to clarify:
- 2 Harakat:
It is also called “Madd Tabi’i” (a natural elongation); it is two harakat, like one of the Madd-letters in the middle of a word, and pronounced usually, or when there is tanween fath at the end of the word, like:
كَانَ شَرُّهُ مُسْتَطِيراً: /Mustateraa/
أَلْهَاكُمُ التَّكَاثُرُ: /Alhaakum/
- (2-4-6) Harakat:
When reciting, if the word you stop at already has a Madd before the last letter, they you can stretch the Madd to 4, or 6 harakat. Of course, 2 harakat is the minimum, like:
(إِلَهِ النَّاسِ): /Ilahi nnaaaas/
- (4 Harakat):
When there is a Madd in the middle of the word, but followed with أ, whether in the same word, or at the first of the coming word, then you should elongate the Madd till 4 harakat, like:
﴿ والسَّمَاء ﴾: /Wassamaaaa/
- (6 Harakat):
After the Madd, if there is a letter with shadda, the Madd letter should be stretched for 6 Harakat, like:
وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ: /wa la addhaaaaaalleeen/
7- The Rules Of Waqf and Ibtida’:
Waqf and ibtida’ while reciting the Qur’an refers to the proper positions of stopping and starting.
There are three types:
- The Optional Waqf:
It is when the reciter chooses where to stop while reciting; it includes:
complete waqf, sufficient waqf, good waqf, and repulsive waqf.
- The Compelled Waqf:
It is when the reciter has to stop compellingly, like due to the shortness of his breath, or sneezing, and so on. Then, after that condition passes, the reciter restarts the meaningful part of the ayah again and continues, preserving the meaning complete.
- The Test Waqf:
It is when the reciter of the Qur’an is asked to stop at a certain word or a tajweed-rule while reciting for instruction, or correction.
8- The Rules of Makharij Al-Huruf (the Letters’ Articulation-points):
In tajweed, the reciter learns Makharij Al-Huruf to know the certain exist-points of producing each letter sound, without mixing it up with any other. There are main Makharij:
- The Jawf (The Empty Space): the Madd-Letters: ا، و، ي
- Al-Halq (the Throat): ع، غ، ه، ء، ح، خ
- Al-Lissan (the Tongue): ق ك ش ج ي ض ل ن ر ط د ت ص ز س ظ ذ ث
- Shafateen (the Lips): ف، ب، م، و
- Khaishum (The Nasal Part): Ghunna- the nasal sound.
9- The Rules of Siffat Al-Huruf ( the Characteristics of the Alphabet):
The characteristics of the letters help greatly to differentiate between each letter. Here are some characteristics:
Whispering– voiceness- force- moderation-looseness- elevation- lowering- tightening- opening- extension and lenience- whistling- diffusion- lengthening- repetition- deflection- nasalization- bouncing-blowing…
There are many tajweed rules that require precise instruction, and practice. Those are just general some of them.
10- Manners and Etiquettes of Reciting Qur’an:
Reciting the Qur’an is really a blessing and rewarding act of worship. It strengthens our bond with Allah Almighty; here are some manners and etiquettes to follow:
- Perform Wudu’ before reciting Qur’an, wearing clean covering clothes.
- Sit in a tidy, and quiet place, so that you can concentrate, and connect to the Qur’an.
- Hold the Mushaf high, and with your right hand; show it respect; it is Allah’s Holy Qur’an.
- Start reciting with a heedful heart that is prepared and ready open to the Qur’an’s lights.
- Say Isti’atha and Basmal.
- Recite attentively, and deliberately, no need to rush.
- Make sure to feel and understand what you are reciting.
- Act upon what you are reciting, as much as you can.
- Praise Allah that he blesses you with reciting His Book, and ask Him to keep you blessed.
Importance of Learning Tajweed Rules:
Recognizing what are the Tajweed rules, we need to get attentive the great significance of learning them properly; here are some benefits you gain, by learning tajweed:
1. Fulfilling Its Due Rights:
Qur’an is Allah’s Holy Book sent down to us as mercy and guidance, so that we should be grateful to such divine gift by fulfilling its rights: duly following its proper recitation, right understanding, and firm belief:
ٱلَّذِينَ ءَاتَيْنَـٰهُمُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ يَتْلُونَهُۥ حَقَّ تِلَاوَتِهِۦٓ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِ…ۦ (البقرة -121)
[Those We have given the Book follow it as it should be followed. It is they who ˹truly˺ believe in it…] [Al-Baqarah: 121].
وَرَتِّلِ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ تَرْتِيلًا ٤
[… and recite the Quran ˹properly˺ in a measured way.] [Al-Muzzamil: 4].
2. Getting Close to Allah:
Properly reciting the Qur’an, and understanding Allah’s message to you, definitely, gets you near and spiritually connected to Your Lord; the more you can delve into Qur’an mercies, the more you feel close to Your Creator.
That’s why the Messenger of Allah said: ‘Allah has His own people among mankind.’ They said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, who are they?’ He said: ‘The people of the Qur’an, the people of Allah and those who are closest to Him.‘”
3. Avoiding Any Mistakes in Pronunciation, or Understanding:
Learning the Tajweed rules keeps you on the right track of reciting the Qur’an as it is meant to be recited: every letter, every vowel, every pause, and so on.
As we know, in the Quranic Arabic, there are slight, crucial differences, like stress-pronunciation in س، ص, or a dot that can differentiate between certain letters, such as ص/ض, and so on. Actually, a single short vowel mispronounced can alter the whole word, and its meaning in turn! And for sure, No Muslim wants to misinterpret Allah’s words to him.
4. Reciting Beautifully, and Meaningfully:
Applying the tajweed rules helps you to master the harmonious rhythm of the Qur’an, and let its miraculous beauty and meaning stir up your genuine feelings, deep down. That actually distinguishes the recitation of a devoted Muslim; it is such a pleasant, heartfelt, and attentive recitation of His Lord’s Book. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “He who does not recite the Qur’an in a pleasant tone is not of us.“
5. Improving Precise Articulation:
Whoever masters reciting the Qur’an with tajweed can professionally read any Arabic text, being so mindful of all those needed details to consider when reading the letters, themselves, the words, and both jointly in contexts. That upgrades his skill of attentive reading 100%!
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Conclusion:
This is just a quick hint at tajweed rules that you need to learn to recite the Qur’an flawlessly, exactly as it was revealed. It is such rewarding knowledge that accelerates your progress in the Qur’an-learning journey, yet you really need a trusted, dedicated tutor to keep you guided, on the right track, like we do in Riwaq Academy.
Key rules of Tajweed include Isti’aathah and Basmala, which govern when to begin recitation with phrases seeking refuge or invoking Allah’s name, and the rules of Noon Sakina and Tanween, which dictate how to handle the pronunciation of letters following these sounds. For example, Izhar ensures clarity, while Idhgham involves merging sounds smoothly, and Iqlab changes sounds based on following letters.
Additional rules cover the articulation of stressed letters (Noon and Meem Mushaddad), the special pronunciation of Meem Sakina (non-vowel Meem), and the echoing sound of Qalqala on specific letters like ق and ط. The rules of Al-Madd dictate the elongation of certain vowels, with varying lengths depending on context, while Waqf and Ibtida’ regulate pauses and restarts during recitation.
