If we truly want to recite the Quran the same way the Prophet received it from the angel, Allah himself, then we will take the utmost effort to learn and use all the rules of Tajweed.
Outline
1) Meaning of Tajweed.
The word Tajweed Means to make better or to improve. The terminological meaning of Tajweed is to pronounce every letter of the Quran with its Makhaarij (Articulation Point) and with all of its Sifaat (Qualities).
2) Purpose of Tajweed.
It is the knowledge and application of a set of rules to recite the Holy Qur’an as close as possible as it was recited by the Holy Prophet Muhammad PBUH.
Allah says in the Holy Quran
أَوْ زِدْ عَلَيْهِ وَرَتِّلِ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ تَرْتِيلًا
and recite the Quran ˹properly˺ in a measured way. (5-73)
Imam Ali R.A defines the Tarteel as :
ھو تجويد الحروف و معرفة الوقوف
1) Makharij ul Huroof (Articulation Poinit) and Sifaat of the Huroof (letter Qualities).
2) Knowing when and how to stop at a word and to begin from it.
The Purpose of Learning Tajweed is to Recite the Quran in Arabic Accent as it was Revealed.
3) Importance of Tajweed? (Example)
The importance of Tajweed can’t be denied as reciting the Quran without Tajweed will not only affect the beauty of the Quran but sometimes it can change the meaning of the Quran.
for example, The word Qalb Means “heart”. if instead of Qaaf, Kaaf is read the Meaning changes to “Dog”. The word “Rahim” used for Allah, Means “very Merciful”. if instead of (ح) letter (ھ) is read the meaning changes to “thirsty camel”.
learning Tajweed is also important because if you are reciting any part of the Quran in Salah and you pronounce anything wrong that affects the meaning of the Quran then it may also cause the Break of your Salah.
4) The excellence of Tajweed (Intention)
It is one of the most respected sciences and one of the best because of its connection with the Word of Allah. we have to learn Tajweed with the Aim of getting Allah’s Pleasure and getting success in both worlds (Dunya and Aakhirah).
5) Founder of Tajweed
From a practical point of view, its founding principles are set by the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Because the Holy Qur’an was revealed to you by Allah Ta’ala with Tajweed and you received its teaching from Hazrat Jibreel (peace be upon him). And taught his companions, then taught his followers, and so on until it reached us through these chains. The scholars of the Quranic sciences are the ones who set the rules from a scientific point of view.
We follow the qiraa’ah (reading) of “Ḥafs taken from ‘Aaṣim (حفص عں عاصم),” which is the one widely taught in most of the Muslim world today.
6) Ruling About Learning Tajweed.
Fard e Kifaayah
The knowledge of Tajweed is Fard kifayyah (a group of people that is sufficient for Muslims to know it). Knowing and memorizing the rules of Tajweed is a communal obligation.
Fard e A’in
Its application is Fard Ain (required for all Muslims) to those who have memorized the entire Qur’an or part of it. Even if it’s just one surah. Reciting it correctly without changing the meaning is obligatory for every Muslim.
7) Reason for its Rule
Protecting the Holy Quran and protecting it from distortion. After the spread of Islam, Arabs mixed with non-Arabs, and Muslims feared that this mixing would corrupt the Arabic language. It then became imperative to lay down rules that would safeguard the recitation of the Qur’an from errors and guarantee the reciter the correctness of pronunciation.
8) Types of Mistakes
Mistakes / Errors (Lahn)
Scholars have divided the mistakes made during the recitation of the Holy Qur’an into two categories:
Lahn Jalee (Clear Mistakes):
Everyone should avoid the obvious/clear mistakes, and know the rulings of Tajweed.
If a person falls into obvious mistakes, it is considered a sin, and Ibn Taymiyyah also considered it undesirable for a student of knowledge (i.e. one who knows Tajweed) to pray behind someone who makes obvious mistakes in prayer.
Ruling About Lahn Jalee.
1) Very obvious and can be felt
2) Changes the Meaning of the Quran’s Words.
3 Must Avoid it at every Cost
4) It is sinful to read the Qur’an with mistakes that would alter the meaning.
Examples of Lahn Jalee:
1) Substituting a letter for another letter, such as saying س instead of ص
2) Adding a vowel to a letter that is sakin
3) Putting Sukoon on a letter that has a vowel
4) Elongating sounds more than necessary
5) Omitting a letter from Madd
6) Placing a shadda on a letter that does not have shadda
7) Not pronouncing the shadda on a letter with shadda
8) Changing the harakah on a letter (ex. Changing a fatha to dhamma, etc.)
9) Not pronouncing the Laam in Al Huroof al Qamariyyah
Lahn Khafee (Hidden Mistakes):
The hidden/unmanifest order is light and the recitation of one who falls into this type of error is not considered complete.
Such a mistake does not change the meaning of the Quranic words, but the beauty of the words is affected.
Ruling About Lahn Khafee.
1) Reading against the rules of different letters falls under this category.
2) For Lahn Khafee, some scholars say that is haram, while others say it is makrooh if you know the rules and don’t apply them. This mistake is “Makrooh” (disliked) also it could be Haram if done intentionally.
Examples of Lahn Khafee:
1) Not making ghunna long enough
2) Not stretching Al Madd Al Muttasil for a full 4 counts
3) Not doing the Qalqalah
4) to overlook the rules of the Thick / Full mouth (Tafkhhem) letters and thin (Light Letters) (Tarqeeq) letters.
5) Not following the rules of ith’har, idghaam, and ikhfaa in their respective places whilst reciting the Quran.
9) Speeds of Recitation
التحقيق (Slowest)
The slowest speed. Only for learning purposes
التدوير (Between two)
This speed is between the two.
الحدر (Fast)
The reciter recites fast, but still applies all the rules of Tajweed.
10) The Merits of Reciting the Quran
AHaadith:
1) ‘Uthman reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “The best of you is the one who learns the Qur’an and teaches it.” [al Bukhari]
2) ‘A’isha reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “Someone who recites the Qur’an and is fluent in it, is with the noble pious angels. Someone who recites the Qur’an and stammers in it has two rewards as it is difficult for him.” [Agreed upon]
3) Abu Musa al Ash’ari reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “The metaphor of a believer who recites the Qur’an is that of a citron its scent is fragrant and its taste is good. The metaphor of a believer who does not recite the Qur’an is that of a date it has no scent but its taste is sweet. The metaphor of a hypocrite who recites the Qur’an is that of basil its scent is fragrant but its taste is bitter. The metaphor of a hypocrite who does not recite the Qur’an is that of colocynth it has no scent and its taste is bitter.” [Agreed upon]
4) ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr ibn al–‘As reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “It will be said to those who know the Qur’an, ‘Recite and ascend. Recite slowly as you did in the world below. Your station will be at the last verse you recite.'” [Abu Dawud and at Tirmidhi.
Reciting with a Beautiful Voice
1) Abu Hurayra said, “I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, “Allah does not listen to anything so gladly as He listens to a Prophet with a good voice chanting the Qur’an aloud.” [Agreed upon]
2) Abu Musa al Ash’ari reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said to him, “You have been given one of the flutes of the family of Da’ud .” [Agreed upon]
3) Ibn ‘Umar reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “The metaphor of someone who knows the Qur’an is that of a hobbled camel. If he attends to it, it stays with him. If he lets it go, it wanders away.” [Agreed upon]
11) The Etiquette of Reciting the Quran
Before Reciting
External Aspects
1) One must be in a state of wudu
2) The place where one is reciting, and ones clothes should be clean
3) One must cover their awra
4) Should face the qiblah if possible
5) Use the miswak
Internal Aspects
1) Reflect on the greatness of Allah Ta ala and the greatness of the Quran.
During Recitation
1) Say Istiadha.
2) Apply all the rules of Tajweed.
3) Make your voice and recitation beautiful and recite in a rhythm.
4) Choose a speed of recitation, and apply the rules in all of the speeds.
5) Make sajdah at tilawah after reciting an ayah that requires it.
6) Recite Surah Al Fatihah and the first five ayat of Surah Al Baqarah after you complete a khatam of the Quran.
7) Reflect on the Ayat as you are reciting them.
8) Respond to the ayat : Say SubhanAllah ” when the verses speak about praising Allah.
9) Make dua to be included amongst the people of Jannah when reciting ayat about Jannah
10) Make dua for protection from the Hell Fire when reciting ayat about it.
General Etiquettes
1) If we work in teaching the Quran, then we should try to have the best Akhlaq
2) We should learn a word daily that we recite from the Quran.
3) Ar Rasul (SAW) gave different assignments to different Sahaba (RA). The time frame ranged from 3 days to 40 days.
4) Protect ourselves from eating Haram.
5) Be careful about what we say, and the language that we use.
6) Protect our hands and feet from committing sin.
Conclusion.
Tajweed is very important in all types of recitation of the Quran. If you are not reciting the Quran correctly, it will not sound pleasant.
You can learn Tajweed with us visit our courses.
