How Many Tajweed Rules Are There?

April 4, 2025

Tajweed is the science of reciting the Qur’an correctly, ensuring each letter is pronounced from its proper articulation point with the right characteristics. While scholars differ slightly on the exact number, most agree that there are 10 core rules of Tajweed. Mastering these rules helps Muslims recite the Qur’an as it was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).

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.

Below, we explore these essential Tajweed rules in detail.

Table of Contents

1. Isti’aathah and Basmala (Seeking Refuge & Beginning with Allah’s Name)

Before reciting the Qur’an, a Muslim should seek refuge from Shaytan by saying:
أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ
(A’udhu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajim)

Then, begin with the Basmala:
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
(Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Raheem)

Exceptions:

Surah At-Tawbah (9) begins without Basmala.
When continuing between Surahs, Basmala is recommended but not obligatory.

2. Rules of Noon Sakinah and Tanween

These rules apply to نْ (noon sakinah) and tanween (ـًـٍـٌ). There are four possible pronunciations based on the letter that follows:

A. Izhar (Clear Pronunciation)

When any of these letters (ء، هـ، ع، ح، غ، خ) follow نْ or tanween, the noon sound is pronounced clearly without merging.
Example:

مِنْ خَيْرٍ (min khayrin)

B. Idgham (Merging)

When ي، ن، م، و، ر، ل follow, the noon merges into the next letter.

With Ghunna (nasal sound): ي، ن، م، و
Example: مِنْ وَالٍ → miw-waalin
Without Ghunna: ر، ل
Example: غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ → Ghafoorur-Raheem

C. Iqlab (Conversion)

If ب follows نْ or tanween, it converts to a hidden م with a slight nasal sound.
Example:

مِنْ بَعْدِ → mim-ba’di

D. Ikhfa (Hiding)

For the remaining letters (ت، ث، ج، د، ذ، س، ش، ص، ض، ط، ظ، ف، ق، ك), the noon is hidden with a light nasal echo.
Example:

أَنْصَارُ اللَّهِ → an-saarullah

3. Rules of Meem Sakinah

A meem with no vowel (مْ) has three rules:

A. Ikhfa Shafawi (Oral Hiding)

If ب follows مْ, the meem is hidden with ghunna.
Example: هُمْ بِآيَاتِنَا → hum-biyaatina

B. Idgham Shafawi (Oral Merging)

If another م follows مْ, they merge with full ghunna.
Example: لَهُمْ مَّغْفِرَةٌ → lahum-maghfirah

C. Izhar Shafawi (Oral Clarity)

For all other letters, the meem is pronounced clearly.
Example: أَلَمْ نَجْعَلْ → alam naj’al

4. Qalqala (The Echoing Sound) – Detailed Explanation

What is Qalqala?

Qalqala (قَلْقَلَة) means “vibration” or “echoing.” It refers to a light bouncing sound produced when pronouncing certain Arabic letters if they carry a sukoon (ْ ) or if you stop on them.

The 5 Qalqala Letters

The letters of Qalqala are grouped in the phrase “قُطْبُ جَدٍ” (Qutb Jadin):

ق (Qaf)
ط (Ta)
ب (Ba)
ج (Jeem)
د (Dal)

Types of Qalqala

Qalqala varies in strength based on the letter’s position in a word:

A. Strong Qalqala (At the End of a Word)

When stopping on a Qalqala letter, the echo is strongest.
Examples:

وَالْفَجْرِ (Wal-fajr) → The ج has a clear bounce.
وَالْعَصْرِ (Wal-‘asr) → The ص is not Qalqala, but if it were ط, like in مَطْعَم, it would echo.

B. Medium Qalqala (In the Middle of a Word with Sukoon)

The echo is moderate when the letter has a sukoon mid-word.
Examples:

يَقْتُلُونَ (Yaq-tuloon) → The ق echoes lightly.
يَطْمَعُونَ (Yat-ma’oon) → The ط has a slight bounce.

C. Light Qalqala (When the Letter is in the Middle with a Vowel)

If the Qalqala letter has a fatha, kasra, or damma, the echo is very subtle or absent.
Example:

قَالَ (Qaala) → The ق is pronounced normally because it has a vowel.

5. Madd (Vowel Elongation) – Detailed Explanation

What is Madd?

Madd (مَدّ) means “extension.” It refers to stretching vowel sounds (ا، و، ي) for a specific duration.

Types of Madd

Madd is categorized based on cause and length:

A. Natural Madd (Madd Asli/Tabi’i) – 2 Harakat

Occurs when a Madd letter (ا، و، ي) is followed by a sukoon or nothing.
Length: 2 counts (approx. 1 second).
Examples:
قَالُوا (Qaaluu) → The ا is stretched naturally.
نُوحِيهَا (Nuuheehaa) → The و and ي are elongated.

B. Secondary Madd (Madd Far’i) – Extended Lengths

These occur due to a hamza (ء) or sukoon affecting the Madd.

1. Madd Al-Muttasil (Connected Madd) – 4/5 Harakat

When a Madd letter is followed by a hamza in the same word.
Length: 4-5 counts (preferred in most recitations).
Example:
جَاءَ (Jaaa’a) → The ا stretches due to the hamza.

2. Madd Al-Munfasil (Separated Madd) – 4/5 Harakat

When a Madd letter is at the end of a word, and the next word starts with hamza.
Length: 4-5 counts (optional extension).
Example:
إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ (Innaaa anzalnaahu) → The ا in إِنَّا stretches slightly.

3. Madd Al-Lazim (Mandatory Madd) – 6 Harakat

When a Madd letter is followed by a permanent sukoon (e.g., shaddah or a letter with no vowel).
Length: 6 counts (must be elongated).
Examples:
الْحَاقَّةُ (Al-Haaaqqah) → The ا is stretched due to the قّ.
وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ (Wa laa adh-dhaaaalliin) → The ا extends due to the لّ.

4. Madd Al-‘Aarid (Temporary Madd) – 2/4/6 Harakat

When stopping on a word that has a Madd letter before the last letter.
Length: 2, 4, or 6 counts (reciter’s choice, but must be consistent).
Example:
رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ (Rabbil-‘aaaalameen) → If stopping, the ا can be stretched.

6. Makharij al-Huruf (Articulation Points)

Letters are pronounced from 5 main areas:

Throat (ع، غ، ح، خ، ء، هـ)
Tongue (ق، ك، ش، ج، etc.)
Lips (ف، ب، م، و)
Nasal passage (Ghunna in ن، م)
Empty mouth space (Madd letters)

7. Sifaat al-Huruf (Letter Characteristics)

Letters have unique traits like:

Hams (whispering – س، ف)
Jahr (voiced – أ، ب)
Tafkheem (heaviness – خ، ص)
Tarqeeq (lightness – ك، ل)

8. Waqf & Ibtida’ (Stopping & Starting Rules in Quran Recitation)

Proper stopping (waqf) and starting (ibtida’) are crucial in Tajweed to preserve meaning and avoid misreading. The Quran contains specific symbols guiding reciters on where and how to pause.

Types of Waqf (Stopping Rules)

1. Mandatory Stop (Waqf Lazim – مـ)

Must stop—continuing could distort meaning.
Example:
- وَمَا يَعْلَمُ تَأْوِيلَهُۥٓ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُۗ وَٱلرَّٰسِخُونَ فِى ٱلْعِلْمِ… (Quran 3:7)
  - Stopping at “إِلَّا ٱللَّهُۗ” is required to avoid misinterpretation.

2. Preferred Stop (Waqf Munāsib – ◌ۛ )

Better to stop, but permissible to continue.
Example:
- فَاذْكُرُونِيٓ أَذْكُرْكُمْ (Quran 2:152)
  - Pausing here improves clarity.

3. Prohibited Stop (Waqf Mamnūʿ – لا)

Do not stop—it breaks the meaning.
Example:
- إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ (Quran 1:5)
  - Stopping at “نَعْبُدُ” would imply worship is separate from seeking help.

4. Optional Stop (Waqf Ja’iz – ج)

Choice to pause or continue.
Example:
- وَٱهْدِنَا ٱلصِّرَٰطَ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ (Quran 1:6)

Ibtida’ (Starting After a Stop)

If you stop, restart from a meaningful point—never mid-phrase.
Example:
- After stopping at “ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ”, begin with “مَٰلِكِ يَوْمِ ٱلدِّينِ” (not mid-verse).

9. Heavy (Tafkheem) vs. Light (Tarqeeq) Letters

Certain Arabic letters are pronounced with full mouth resonance (Tafkheem) or lightness (Tarqeeq).

Letters Always Heavy (Tafkheem)

خ، ص، ض، ط، ظ، غ، ق
How to Pronounce:
- Elevate the back of the tongue.
- Create a full, deep sound.
- Example:
  - قُلْ (Qul) – Strong “Q” sound from the throat.
  - ظَلَمَ (Zhalama) – Thick “ظ” sound.

Letters Always Light (Tarqeeq)

ح، ك، ل، ا، ي
How to Pronounce:
- Keep the mouth relaxed.
- Example:
  - لَمْ (Lam) – Soft “L” sound.
  - كِتَابٌ (Kitabun) – Light “K”.

Letters That Change (Depending on Vowels)

ر (Ra):
- Heavy with fatha/damma (رَ، رُ).
  - رَحْمَةٌ (Rahma) – Deep “R”.
- Light with kasra (رِ).
  - رِجَالٌ (Rijal) – Soft “R”.

10. Etiquettes of Reciting the Quran (Adab al-Tilawah)

Reciting the Quran is a sacred act of worship, requiring physical & spiritual preparation.

1. Physical Preparation

Perform Wudu – Quran should not be touched without purification (Quran 56:79).
Face the Qiblah – If possible, sit respectfully toward the Kaaba.
Dress Modestly – Wear clean clothes as if in prayer.

2. Spiritual Preparation

Seek Refuge from Shaytan (A’udhu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajim).
Begin with Bismillah (except Surah At-Tawbah).
Recite with Khushu’ (Humility) – Reflect on meanings.

3. Recitation Etiquettes

Recite Slowly & Clearly – Avoid rushing (Quran 73:4).
Correct Mistakes Immediately – Mispronunciation can change meanings.
Stop at Proper Pauses – Follow Waqf rules.
Avoid Distractions – Silence phones, choose a quiet place.

4. After Finishing

Say “Sadaqallahul-‘Adheem” (Allah has spoken the truth).
Make Dua – Ask Allah to accept your recitation.

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Conclusion:

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.

Learning and applying the rules of Tajweed is not merely about technical pronunciation—it is an act of love and reverence for the Words of Allah. By mastering Waqf & Ibtida’, distinguishing between heavy and light letters, and upholding the etiquettes of recitation, we ensure that every verse we recite is delivered with clarity, beauty, and devotion.

The Quran is a living miracle, and Tajweed is the key to unlocking its full majesty. As the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:

“Beautify the Quran with your voices, for a pleasant voice enhances the beauty of the Quran.” (Abu Dawud)

May Allah grant us the ability to recite His Book correctly, reflectively, and with hearts full of faith. Ameen.

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