Tajweed means reciting the Quran with each letter pronounced correctly and each rule applied. It can sound intimidating, but it is learned gradually, one rule at a time.
Why tajweed matters
The Quran is recited as it was taught and passed down. Tajweed protects the pronunciation and meaning of the words and helps us recite with the beauty and care the Quran deserves.
Before you start
You should be able to read Arabic letters and short words comfortably, usually by completing Noorani Qaida. Tajweed is easier when reading is already smooth.
The first topics most students learn
Makharij: where letters come from
Every Arabic letter is produced from a specific place in the mouth or throat. Learning these points of articulation is the foundation of correct pronunciation.
Rules of noon sakinah and tanween
When a noon with sukoon, or tanween, is followed by certain letters, the sound changes. There are four rules:
- Izhar: pronounced clearly
- Idgham: merged into the next letter
- Iqlab: changed into a meem sound
- Ikhfa: hidden, with a light nasal sound
Rules of meem sakinah
A meem with sukoon also has three rules, depending on the letter that follows.
Madd: stretching sounds
Some sounds are lengthened for a set number of counts. Madd rules need a teacher's ear to get the timing right.
Qalqalah
Five letters (ق ط ب ج د) are pronounced with a slight echo when they have sukoon.
The best way to learn
Tajweed is a spoken skill. Reading about it helps, but you need a teacher who listens and corrects you as you recite. Recording yourself and comparing it with a good reciter is also useful.
Ready to start? Book a free trial for Quran with Tajweed.