Tajwid (Quran Recitation Rules)

Definition

Tajwid (تجويد) is the science of reciting the Quran correctly, giving each letter its due rights and characteristics. The word tajwid comes from the root j-w-d meaning 'to make better' or 'to improve.' Learning tajwid is considered a collective obligation (fard kifayah) for the Muslim community and an individual obligation for anyone who recites the Quran.

Key Rules

Makharij al-Huruf (Articulation Points): Each Arabic letter has a specific point of articulation in the throat, tongue, lips, or nasal passage. Sifat al-Huruf (Letter Characteristics): Each letter has inherent characteristics such as tafkhim (heaviness), tarqiq (lightness), hams (whispering), or jahr (loudness). Noon Sakinah and Tanwin Rules: Four rules govern the pronunciation of noon sakinah and tanwin: izhar (clear pronunciation), idgham (merging), iqlab (conversion), and ikhfa (concealment). Meem Sakinah Rules: Three rules for meem sakinah: idgham shafawi, ikhfa shafawi, and izhar shafawi. Madd (Elongation): Rules governing the lengthening of vowel sounds, from the natural madd (2 counts) to the obligatory madd lazim (6 counts).

History

The rules of tajwid were formalized by scholars like Abu Ubaid al-Qasim ibn Sallam and later by Imam al-Jazari (d. 1429 CE), whose poem al-Jazariyyah remains the standard tajwid text studied worldwide. The Prophet himself recited with tajwid, and Jibril corrected his recitation annually during Ramadan.