learning Tajweed Rules Online

INTRODUCTION

As-salaamu-a-laykum
I praise Allah (SWT) the Most High and send blessings upon the best of creation. We pray that you are in the
best of health and Imaan. Love for Quran is always looking at ways of improving and moving forward. This
booklet is an attempt to look at the subject of Tajweed. This is a very humble effort to address this topic at a
very basic level.
1. What is Tajweed?
The word “tajweed” means to improve, make better. Tajweed of the Holy Qur’an is the knowledge and
application of the rules of recitation so the reading of the Qur’an is as the Prophet Mohammed peace and
blesings be upon him, recited.

Tajweed
The Word Tajweed is from the root word “Jawdah” which means
“Quality”. Tajweed means “Improving,” or “to make something better.”

The word Tajweed linguistically means ‘proficiency’ or ‘doing something well’. When applied to the Qur’an,
it means giving every letter of the Qur’an its rights and dues. When we recite Qur’an and observe the rules that
apply to each letter in different situations, we are giving the letter its right and by observing essential
characteristics of each letter, we give its due.

The Qur’an was revealed with Tajweed rules applied to it. In other words, when the angel Jibrael (AS) recited
the words of Allah to Prophet Muhammad (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) he recited them in a certain way and
showed Prophet Muhammad (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam)

History of Tajweed
At the time of the Prophet (SAW) there was no need for people to study Tajweed
because they talked with what is now known as Tajweed so it was natural for them. When the Arabs started
mixing with the non-Arabs as Islam spread, mistakes in Qur’an recitation started appearing, so the scholars had
to record the rules. Now, because the everyday Arabic that Arabs speak has changed so much from the
Classical Arabic with which the Qur’an was revealed, even Arabs have to study Tajweed.

PRONUNCIATION KEYS
The additional signs we see these days in Arabic on top or bottom of the Alphabets are the pronunciation keys.
Muslims were the first to come up with the concept of pronunciation keys, it helped Non-Arabs to pronounce
the words properly following some simple pronunciation rules (i.e. the same concept is adapted these days in
modern dictionaries).

Initially when the Holy Quran was compiled in a shape of a book we did not had these additional signs that we
see these days, in fact even the dots we see on the alphabets “baa”, “taa”, “thaa” and other alphabets were not
present and Arabs would pronounce the words
without any difficulty but as more and more Non-Arabs embraced Islam, the need was felt to retain the
pronunciation of the words. This is when the additional signs and dots were added to it to help out Non-Arabs
pronounce the words while retaining the correct Pronunciation.

The purpose of Tajweed

The Qur’an is the word of Allah, and its every syllable is from Allah. Its recitation
must be taken very seriously. The purpose of the Science of Tajweed in essence is to make the reciter
proficient in reciting the Qur’an, observing the correct pronunciation of every letter with the rulings and
characteristics which apply to each letter, without any exaggeration or deficiency. And so through this the
reciter can recite the Qur’an upon the way of the Prophet (pbuh). as he received it from Jibreel who received it
from Allah (SWT) in the Classical Arabic dialect that it came down in.

what is the importance of tajweed?

There are over 70 rules of Tajweed, you can study all of them easily from the comfort of your home
at Firdaws Academy.
 
The ruling of reading Quran with Tajweed:
Muhammad bin Al-Jazaree the great Qur’an and Hadeeth scholar of the 9th Century (Hijri) says in his famous
poem, detailing the rules of Tajweed: “And applying Tajweed is an issue of absolute necessity, whoever
doesn’t apply Tajweed to the Qur’an, then a sinner is he.” So he regarded it as an obligation and he regarded
leaving it as a sin. And the majority of scholars agree that applying the Tajweed rules of Qur’an are an
individual obligation upon every Muslim who has memorized or read part of or all of the Qur’an. That is
because the Qur’an was revealed with the Tajweed rules applied to it and the Prophet (SAW) recited it back to
Jibreel in that way and the Companions of the Prophet (SAW) read it in that way, so it is an established
Sunnah.

Benefits of learning Tajweed Rules

The benefits of learning Tajweed are many as reflected in some of the
following Ahadeeth:
• The reciters of the Qur’an will be in the company of the noble and
obedient angels ‘Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, relates that the Prophet
(SAW) said: “Verily the one who recites the Qur’an beautifully,
smoothly, and precisely, he will be in the company of the noble and
obedient angels. And as for the one who recites with difficulty,
stammering or stumbling through its verses, then he will have TWICE
that reward.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

 You will be from the best of people

‘Uthmaan, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Prophet
(SAW) said: “The best of you are the ones who learn the Qur’an and
teach it to others” [Al-Bukhari]
 There are ten rewards for each letter you recite from the Quran
“Whoever reads a letter from the Book of Allah, he will have a
reward. And that reward will be multiplied by ten. I am not saying
that “Alif, Laam, Meem” is a letter, rather I am saying that “Alif” is a
letter, “laam” is a letter and “meem” is a letter.” [Tirmidhi states this
is saheeh]
 The Qur’an will lead you to Paradise!
The Qur’an is an intercessor, something given permission to
intercede, and it is rightfully believed in. Whoever puts it in front of
him, it will lead him to Paradise; whoever puts it behind him, it will
steer him to the Hellfire.” [An authentic hadith found in AtTabaraanee, on the authority of
‘Abdullaah ibn Mas’ood]
Mushaf Tajweed-Quran Flash

2. Learning Tajweed Rules Online

 3. Seeking  Refuge  (Isti’athah)
‫أعوذ باهلل من الشيطان الرجيم‬

         What is the meaning of Isti’thah?

          I seek refuge in Allah from the cursed Satan

What time should we recite it?

Isti’thah is required at the time of reciting the Ouran. (only once)

Manners of seeking refuge

Seeking refuge silently

1- If the reader is reading silently or alone. 2- At the beginning of the prayer.

Seeking refuge loudly

 If the reader is reading loudly and others are listening to his
 If the reading is done by turn in a classroom, the first reader seeks refuge out loud and the rest do it
Note:

lf the reading is cut off by coughing, sneezing or explaining any rules related to the Quran, then there is no
need to repeat

the seeking of refuge.

4. Sying Basmalah
5. ‫بسم هللا الرحمن الرحيم‬
         What is the meaning of Basmalah?
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

What time should we recite it?

 If you start from the beginning of any Surah, (except Surah At-Tawbah as this Surah was revealed
to cancel the peace treaty) you have to say Basmalah.
 If you start from the middle of any Surah, you have the choice to say the Basmalah or
 
The Rules of Noon and Meem Mushaddad
Method of pronunciation:
If a Meem or a Noon has a Shaddah, the reciter must make a Ghunnah (or Nasal sound) of 2 (beats) on it.

 Examples: ‫أن‬-ّ ‫أ ّم‬

Note: if the reader stops on a word ending with Noon or Meem Mushaddad, the Gunnah for the Meem or Noon
Mushadad still have to be applied.

6. The Rules of  Noon Saakin  and  Tanween

 What is the meaning of Noon Saakin  and  Tanween?
Noon Saakin: A Noon without Harakah or with a Sukoon above it.
Tanween: A Noon Saakinah which comes at the end of nouns. It is pronounced but
not written.

Noon Saakin is a letter whilst Tanween is a symbol

 
1- Izhaar
2- Idghaam
3- Iqlaab
4- Ikhfaa
7.  

1- Izhaar
What is the meaning of Izhar?
Izhaar means to make clear.

lzhaar Letters: Throat letters

‫ء–ه–ع–ح–غ–خ‬

Method of pronunciation:
 If a Noon Saakin or a Tanween is followed by any of these six throat letters, the Noon Saakin or the Tanween
is pronounced clearly without Ghunnah.

Examples of lzhaar:
‫وينئون – أنعمت – من ألف‬

2-Idghaam
What is the meaning of Idghaam?
Idghaam means to skip or to merge.

ldghaam is divided into 2 types:

1- ldghaam with Ghunnah

2- ldghaam without Ghunnah

ldghaam with Ghunnah

The Letters for ldghaam with Ghunnah: ‫و‬-‫م‬-‫ن‬-‫ي‬
Method of pronun ciation:
If the Noon Saakin or the Tanween is followed by any of these four letters, the reciter should Skip the Noon
Saakin or the Tanween and pronounce the  following letter with Ghunnah (from the nasal cavity).

Examples of ldghaam with Ghunnah: ‫من يعمل‬

ldghaam without Ghunnah
The Letters for ldghaam without Ghunnah: ‫ر‬-‫ل‬
Method of pronunciation:
If Noon Saakin or the Tanween is followed by any of these two letters, the reciter should Skip the Noon Saakin
or the Tanween and pronounce the following letter without Ghunnah.

Examples of ldghaam without Ghunnah: ‫إن لم‬

3-Iqlaab
What is the meaning of Iqlab?
Iqlaab means to convert

 Iqlaab letter: ‫ب‬

Method of pronunciation:
If a  Noon  Saakin  or  Tanween  is followed by “‫”ب‬,  it is

Converted into hidden Meem and the reciter should makea GHunnah.

Examples of Iqlab: ‫أنبئهم‬
4-Ikhfaa
What is the meaning of Ikhfaa?
Ikhfaa means to hide

Ikhfaa letters: Any letter other than the letters of Izhaar, lqlaab or ldghaam
Method of pronunciation:
If any letter other than the letters of Izhaar, lqlaab or ldghaam follows Noon Saakin or Tanween, the reciter
should hide the Noon Saakin or Tanween and make Ghunnah.

If the Noon Saakin or Tanween is followed by a heavy letter, the sound of Ghunnah should also be heavy. If
the Noon Saakin or Tanween is followed by a light letter, the sound of Ghunnah should also be light.

In order to pronounce the lkhfaa correctly, place your tongue at the point of articulation of the lkhfaa
letter and pronounce the Ghunnah
Examples of Ikhfaa: ‫من جاء‬
8. The Rules of Meem Saakinah
 Ikhfaa Shafawy
 Idghaam Shafawy
 Izhaar Shafawy
1-Ikhfaa Shafawy
What is the meaning of Ikhfaa shafawy?
Ikhfaa shafawy means to hide

Ikhfaa shafawy letters: ‫ب‬
Method of pronunciation:
If meem Saakin followed by ‫ ب‬, the reciter should hide the meem Saakin and make Ghunnah.

It is called Shafawi because it is pronounced from the lips. The word Shafawi refers to lips in Arabic.
Examples of Ikhfaa Shafawy: ‫أنتم به‬
2-Idghaam Shafawy
 
What is the meaning of Idghaam shafawy?
 
Idghaam Shafawi means to merge.
Idghaam shafawy letters: ‫م‬
Method of pronunciation:
If Meem Saakin is followed by “g” then Meem  Saakin will merge with the next Meem and will be
pronounced with Ghunnah. This should be in two separate words.

Examples of Idghaam Shafawy: ‫لهم مغفرة‬

3-Izhaar Shafawy
What is the meaning of Izhaar Shafawy?
Izhaar Shafawi means to make clear.

Idghaam shafawy letters: Any letter other than the letters of Ikhfaa shafawy, or ldghaam shafawy.
Method of pronunciation:
If the Meem Saakin is followed by any letter other than “ ‫“ ب – م‬, it has to  be  pronounced  clearly  without 
Ghunnah.

Examples of Izhaar Shafawy: ‫تمسون‬

9. Laam Shamsyiah & Qamaryiah
There are two rules for ( ‫ل‬  ) when the definite  article ( is attached to an indefinite word.

 .Izhaar
 Idgaam
Izhaar means to make clear.

Izhaar letters: ‫ابغ حجك وخف عقيمه‬

Laam Qamaryiah
Method of pronunciation:
If Laam Saakin is followed by one of the letters above, then Laam is pronounced. The Alif (t) in the definite
article becomes Hamza-tul-WasI, it is pronounced with Fathah at the beginning of the word but it is not
pronounced when joining the words.

Example: ‫الحق‬

Laam shamsiyah
ldghaam which means to merge

 Idphaam Letters: The rest of the letters.

ُ ‫ َد ْع‬ *** ‫ضفْ َذا نِ َع ْم‬
َ ‫سو َء ظَـنٍّ ز ُْر‬
‫ش ِريفًـا لِ ْلكَـ َر ْم‬ ِ ‫طب ثُ َّم‬
ِ ‫ص ْل ُر ْح ًما تَفُ ْز‬
The first letter in every word in this couplet.

Method of pronunciation:
 If Laam Saakin is followed by one of these letters, then the Laam is not pronounced and the letter after Laam 
will have Shaddah. The              the definite article is called Hamza-tul-Wasl, it is pronounced with Fathah at
the beginning of the word but not pronounced when joining the words
 10. Qalqalah
Oalqalah means:
Making an echo or jerking sound at the articulation point of the letter.

It also Means vibration; it is the vibration of sound at the end of the pronunciation of a letter.

It can be stated as a state between a Saakin (letter with Sukoon sign on it) and Mutaharrik (letter with
Movement).

The letters of Oalqalah: ‫قطب جد‬

 
Method of pronunciation:
If any Qalqalah letters is Saakin (either the  letter has a Sukoon or is Saakin because of stopping), the reciter
should make Qalqalah.

Types of Qalqalah
 Minor
This occurs when the letter of Qalqalah is in the middle of a word, or at the end of a word that you are not
stopping on.

Example: – €‫أطعمهم‬

 Medium
This occurs when the letter of Qalqalah is at the end of a word, the letter of Qalqalah doesn’t have Shaddah
and you are stopping on that word.

Example:  ‫الفلق‬          

 Major
This occurs when the letter of Qalqalah is at the end of a word, the letter of Oalqalah has Shaddah and you are
stopping on that word.

ّ ‫الح‬
Example: ‫ق‬

Note: Qalqalah is only pronounced when the letter is Saakin (either the letter has the Sukoon sign or is
assigned a sukoon because of stopping).
11. Heavy and Light Letters
There are three types of Arabic letters regarding the heaviness and lightness.

 
1 – Heavy letters: ‫خص ضغط قظ‬         
Method of pronunciation:

The reciter should raise the back of the tongue when pronouncing these letters. The heavy letters have the
quality of Isti’laa 2 “rising high”. Because while pronouncing them, a part of the tongue (mostly the back part)
rises up to the roof makes the letter sound heavy.
 
2- Light letters:
All the letters other than the heavy letters and the temporary heavy and light
letters                                                                                           

Method of pronunciation:

The reciter should lower the back of the tongue when

pronouncing these letters. The Light Letters have the quality of Istifaal  “falling down”, by lowering the tongue
when pronouncing the light letter.

 
3-Letters that are sometimes light and sometimes heavy.
 
Alif Madd
The quality of Alif Madd being heavy or light depends on the letter
preceding Alif Madd. If the letter before Alif Madd was light, so Alif Madd should accordingly take a light
sound. And if the letter before Alif Madd was heavy, so Alif Madd should accordingly take a heavy sound.

Alif Madd
 It depends on the preceding letter. If the letter before Alif Madd is light, Alif Madd should be pronounced
light.  But if the letter before Alif Madd is heavy, then Alif Madd should be prounounced heavy.

 
Laam in the word Allah
1. If there is a Fatha or a Dhamma before the word of Allah orAllahum, then laam in Allah will be
heavy.
Example: ‫ه َو هللا‬

1. If there is a kasrah before the word Allah, then the Laam inAllah or Allahum will be light.
Example: ‫هلل‬

The Ghunnah for the Ikhfaa

1- Heavy Ghunnah
2- Light Ghunnah
First: The Heavy Ghunnah

If the Noon Saakina or the Tanween is followed by one of the heavy

letters ( ),‫خ ص ض غ ط ق ظ‬the Sound of Ghunnah should also be heavy:

Example: ‫من طغى‬

Second: The Light Ghunnah  

If the Noon Saakin or the Tanween is followed by a light letter, the sound
of Ghunnah should be light.

Example: ‫من جاء‬

12. Al-Madd
  Al-Madd means: Long.
Conventionally, it may be defined as to make the Madd letters long under
some conditions.
The way of pronunciation
Al-Madd can be prolonged from two to six beats depending upon its
kind.
Types of Madd: –
• Madd Tabee’ee
• Madd Al-Badal
• Madd Ewadh
• Madd Aaridh Li-Ssukoon  
• Madd Al-Leen  
• Madd Waajib Muttasil    
• Madd Jaa’ez Munfasil  
• Madd Laazim

Madd Tabee’ee
 
Madd Tabee’ee means the natural Madd. The natural Madd is simply
one of the Madd letters ‫ا‬or ‫و‬or  ‫ى‬ not followed by a Hamzah ( )‫ء‬or a Saakin letter. The natural Madd is
prolonged two beats.
Example: – ‫ال‬
Madd Al-Badal
Madd Al-Badal can simply be defined as (every Hamza preceding a
Madd letter). Madd Al-Badal, if not followed by a Saakin letter or Hamzah, is prolonged only 2 beats.

Example:- ‫ءامنوا‬

Madd ‘Ewadh
‘Ewadh means: compensation. Madd ‘Ewadh is the replacement of a
Tanween Fathah present at the end of a word while stopping at it, with an Alif
Madd. Madd ‘Ewadh is prolonged two beats.
Example:- ً‫غفورا‬

Madd ‘Aridh Li-Ssukoon

Madd Aridh Li-Ssukoon means “temporary Madd for stopping ”.
If a Madd Tabee’ee is followed by a letter at the end of a word, which has been
made Saakin temporarily because the reader has to stop at the word, the reader
should prolong the Madd Tabee’ee to be Madd Aridh Li-Ssukoon.
Madd Aridh Li-Ssukoon can be prolonged 2,4 or 6 beats.
Example: – ‫العالمين‬

Note: This Madd only exists if the reader stops on that word. If the
reader does not stop on it, it should be considered as a Madd Tabee’ee
(2 beats).
Madd Al-leen
Leen means “easy”.
The Leen letters:- A Waaoo ( )‫و‬or Yaa’ ( )‫ى‬Saakin preceded by a letter with a
Fathah.
When should we do this Madd?
If one of the Leen letters is followed by a letter at the end of a word, which has
been Saakin due to stop, the reader should prolong the Leen letter. The reader
can choose to prolong it 2,4 or 6 beats.

Example:- ‫بيت‬

 
Madd Waajib Muttasil

Waajib means “Mandatory” and the Muttasil means “Joined”.

If a Madd letter [ ‫ا‬or ‫و‬or ] ‫ى‬is followed by a Hamzah ( ),‫ء‬which is
present in the same word, the reader should prolong it 4-5 beats.
Example:- ‫جاء‬

Madd Jaa’ez Munfasil

Jaa’ez Means “permitted”. Munfasil means “Seperated”.
If a Madd Letter [ ‫ا‬or ‫و‬or ] ‫ى‬present at the end of a word is followed
by a Hamzah ( )‫ء‬which is present in the beginning of the next word, the reader is supposed to prolong the
Madd letter 4-5 beats which is Madd Jaa’ez Munfasil.

Examples:- ‫لما ءامنوا‬

Madd Lazim Kalimee Muthaqqal

 If a Madd Letter is followed by a Mushaddad letter, the reader is
required to prolong the Madd letter.
It must be prolonged for 6 beats.
Example:- ‫الصاخَة‬

Madd Laazim Kalimee Mukhaffaf

If a Madd letter is followed by a Saakin letter, which is present in the
same word, the reader is required to prolong the Madd letter.
It Must also be prolonged no less than 6 beats.

Examples:- this is the only case in the Quran

َ‫آآلن‬

Madd Laazim Harfee Muthaqqal

 If a Madd letter is followed by a Mushaddad letter, the reader is
required to prolong the Madd letter.
This Madd must be prolonged for 6 beats.
Examples:- ‫عسق‬

Madd Laazim Harfee Mukhaffaf  

If a Madd letter is followed by a Saakin letter, both of them being present in the same letter, the reader is
required to prolong the Madd letter.
This Madd must be prolonged 6 beats.
Examples:- ‫حم عسق‬

Tajweed Rules Part Two

13. Hamzah Al wasl + Hamzah Al Qatua
Hamzah Al Qatua
There are two types of Hamzah in the Ouran. They

have different forms and rules.

The letter Hamzah appears in many different forms  in the Arabic language, but it is pronounced according to
the Harakah above or below the Hamza.

Example: ‫ ء‬-‫ ئ‬-‫ ؤ‬-‫ أ‬-‫إ‬

Hamza-tul Oata’ can either be at the beginning, or in the middle, or at the end of a word.

Example: ‫أنتم – سماء‬

Note:
The Alif and Hamzah are 2 different letters. For Uthmani script, the letter Alif will never have Harakah
whilst for Indo Pak script, the letter Alif may have Harakahs. In the latter case, the Alif is pronounced
as Hamzah.
 
 
 
Hamzah Al wasl
Hamzah-tul  Wasl  is  pronounced  when starting the words, and dropped when continuing.

Hamzah-tul Wasl appears only at the beginning of a word. It has a little saad written on top of Alif ( ). If the
reciter starts reciting from a word that begins with Hamza-tul Wasl, then it should be pronounced with
Harakah. However, it is not pronounced when joining the word that starts with Hamzah-tul Wasl with the
previous word.

Hamzah-tul Wasl can be pronounced with i) Fathah,

1. ii) Kasrah or iii) Dhammah according to the following letter.

It is pronounced with a Fathah when it is at the beginning of a noun and is followed
by Laam Shamseeyah or Laam Oamareeyah.

Examples: ‫الحمدهلل رب العالمين‬

it is pronounced with a Kasrah when it is at the beginning of a verb and the third letter of the verb has a Fathah
or a Kasrah.

Examples: ‫إال ابليس استكبر‬

It is also pronounced with a Kasrah in seven nouns in the

Ouran.
 

 For example: ‫إن ابني‬

It is pronounced with a Dhammah when it is at the beginning of a verb and the third letter of
the verb has a Dhammah.

Examples: ‫فمن اضطر‬

Tajweed Rules Part Two

14. The Silent & Pronounced Alif

Have you ever noticed some people who seem to be present, can also seem to be
invisible? Or sometimes they’re loud, and at other times they’re so quiet, they’re
not even noticed…? Alif can do the same. Did you ever know? Find out below..
There are seven “alifs” in the Quran that that are sounded when stopping and
silenced when continuing through in recitation. These alifs are signalled by the
round sukoon-like shape above them: ( o )

These seven alifs are as follows:

– All occurrences of the word anaa ( ) ‫أنا‬which have this symbol. When stopping,
the alif is sounded for two counts (madd tabee’ee), but when continuing
recitation, the alif is just sounded as a fat-ha. Example,
Read as:
when continuing: ana lakum () ‫أن لكم‬
when stopping: anaa .. lakum ( )‫ لكم‬.. ‫أنا‬
– This rule applies for the following words, in its own respective manner:
[Kahf 38] Read as:

when continuing: laakinna huwa ()‫الكن هو‬

when stopping: laakinnaa .. huwa ( ) ‫ هو‬.. ‫الك ّنا‬
[Al-Ahzaab 10] Read as:
 when continuing: al-thunoona hunaalika ( )‫الظنون هنالك‬
when stopping: al-thunoonaa .. hunaalika ( ) ‫ هنالك‬.. ‫الظنونا‬
[Al-Ahzaab 66] Read as:

when continuing: al-rasoola wa qaaloo ( ) ‫الرسول و قالوا‬

when stopping: al-rasoolaa .. wa qaaloo ( ) ‫ و قالوا‬.. ‫الرسوال‬
[Al-Ahzaab 67] Read as:

when continuing: al-sabeela rabbanaa ( ) ‫السبيل ر ّبنا‬

when stopping: al-sabeelaa .. rabbanaa ( ) ‫ ر ّبنا‬.. ‫السبيال‬
Let’s note this case. Scholars of the Quran have noted that it is permissible to
stop on the word salaasilaa with a sukoon, or to stop on it with two counts on
the alif:
[Al-Insaan 4] Read as:

when continuing: salaasila wa aghlaalan ( ) ‫سالسل و أغالالا‬

when stopping: salaasilaa .. wa aghlaalan ( ) ‫ و أغالالا‬.. ‫سالسال‬
when stopping: salaasil .. wa aghlaalan ( ) ‫ و أغالالا‬.. ‫سالسل‬
Now let’s note two special cases.

The word qawaareeraa in surat Al-Insaan, verse 16 is never pronounced as a

long vowel when stopping. And it is always pronounced with a fat-ha when
continuing. This also applies for all the occurrences of the word “thamood” (that
contain this silent alif).
[Al-Insaan 15] Read as:

when continuing (after both words): qawaareera qawaareera ( ‫قوارير‬

) ‫قوارير‬
when stopping (after the first word): qawaareeraa .. qawaareera ( ‫قواريرا‬
) .. ‫قوارير‬
when stopping (after both words): qawaareeraa .. qawareer ( .. ‫قواريرا‬
) ‫قوارير‬
Read as:

when continuing: wa thamooda ( ) ‫و ثمود‬

when stopping: wa thamood ( ) ‫و ثمود‬
Be careful to never mistake these alifs for the other “normal” ones…
That’s all for this tajweed rule. Too easy.

Tajweed Rules Part Two

15.  

16. The Sifaat of the letters

Sifaat refers to the characteristic(s) of the letter
Definition: the way in which a letter is articulated that differentiates it from others. The purpose of these
characteristics is to distinguish the letters that share the same articulation points (makhaarij).
But why do we need sifaat when we already know the origin of the letter (makhraj)?
Makhaarij only provides information as to where the sound of the letter comes from, whereas sifaat provides
extra information with regards to the characteristics of the letter in order to produce the correct sound.

This section will further explain this :

Sifaat is of two types:

1.Sifaat WITH opposite (complement)

2. Sifaat WITHOUT opposites (non-complement)
SIFAAT WITH OPPOSITES
Opposite  

Hems Jahr
(whispered) (voiced)

Shiddah Rakhaawa
(explosive) (softness)
INBETWEEN Tawassut

Itbaaq Infitaah
(closed) (opened)

Ithlaaq Ismaat
(flowing, ease of exit) (sharply pronounced)

Hams
 Literally means concealment
• Technically means the
continuation of the breath when
pronouncing the letter due to
weakness in its origin, causing
weakness in its reliance on its
makhraj.
 The following letters have this
quality:
‫ت‬-‫ك‬-‫س‬-‫ص‬-‫خ‬-‫ش‬-‫ه‬-‫ث‬-‫ح‬-‫ف‬
Jahr
 Literally means to be apparent
• Technically means the
discontinuation of the breath when
pronouncing the letter due to
strength in its origin, causing it to
rely greatly on its makhraj
• The rest of the letters have this
quality:
Isti’laa
 Literally means elevation.
• Technically means the elevation of
the back tongue towards the roof of the
mouth when pronouncing a letter.
• The letters that have this quality are:
‫ظ‬-‫ق‬-‫ط‬-‫غ‬-‫ض‬-‫ص‬-‫خ‬
Istifaal –  
 Literally means lowering or
dropping
• Technically means keeping the
tongue lowered from the roof of the
mouth while pronouncing a letter.
• All letters besides the letters of
Isti’laa have the quality of Istifaal.
Itbaaq –
• Literally means adhesion
• Technically means adhesion of the
tongue to the roof of the mouth while
pronouncing a letter.
• The following letters contain this
quality:
‫ظ‬-‫ط‬-‫ض‬-‫ص‬
 Note: these letters also have Isti’laa.
Infitaah –
 Literally means separation
• Technically means keeping the
tongue separated from the roof of the
mouth while pronouncing a letter.
• All letters besides the letters of
Itbaaq contain the quality of Infitaah.
Idhlaq –
• Literally means fluency, purity in
speech
• Technically means the articulation of
the letters with utmost ease from the
sides of the tongue or lips as if they are
slipping away.
• The following letters contain this
quality:
‫ب‬-‫ل‬-‫ن‬-‫م‬-‫ر‬-‫ف‬
Ismaat –  
• Literally means desistance
• Technically means the articulation
of the letters with utmost strength and
stability from their makhraj,
without which the letter will not be
articulated.
• All other letters contain this quality
 17. Second: The Permanent Qualities
Without Opposites

1. Qalqalah
: click here
1. As-Safeer
• Literally means the whistle
• Technically it is the natural occurrence of a whistle like sound emitted while pronouncing the
letters.
• The following letters contain this quality:

‫ز‬-‫ص‬-‫س‬

3. Al-Leen
• Literally, it means softness
• Technically, it means the articulation of the letter from its makhraj with a
natural ease and softness present in the letter.
• The following letters have this quality:
• Waw sakinah (‫ )و‬with a fatha on the letter before it
• Yaa sakinah (‫ )ي‬with a fathah on the letter before it.

4. Al-Inhiraf
• Literally it means to deviate.
• Technically it is the slight deviation of the tongue towards the makhraj of raa while pronouncing
laam and towards laam while pronouncing raa.
• This quality is found in only the following two letters:

‫ل‬-‫ر‬

5. At-Takreer
• Literally means repetition
• Technically means the trilling of the tongue while pronouncing a letter that causes the letter to be
pronounced more than once.
• This is found only in ‫ر‬

Note: – Unlike other qualities, we must abstain from this quality while
pronouncing this letter.

6. At-Tafasshy
• Literally means to spread around
• Technically, it is the spreading around of the sound of the letter in the mouth while pronouncing
it.
• This quality is found only in: ‫ش‬

7. Istitaalah
 Literally means prolongation
• Technically, it is the prolongation of the sound throughout its makhraj ‫ ض‬from its beginning till
 the end (1.5 to 1.75 beat).
• This is found only in the status of Sukoon or Shaddah for the letter: ‫ض‬

Tajweed Rules Part Two

18. Articulations points of Arabic alphabet

Arabic is a unique language in which each letter has a certain point of articulations from where it is
pronounced and cannot be pronounced from any other point of articulation. If the letter is not pronounced from
the correct points of articulation     then the sound  of  the letter is incorrect. It can then be confused with one
of the other letters.

This is why we should be careful when it comes to reciting the Quran, as changing the letter changes the
meaning of the Ayah.

Example:

The word ‫قلب‬   means heart, the word   ‫كلب‬  means dog. So if you change ‫ ق‬to ‫ك‬  the meaning will change.

What is the purpose of learing the  Mal‹haarij  of  the Arabic language?

The purpose of learning the Makhaarij of the Arabic language is to make the reciter proficient in reciting the
Qur’an by observing the correct pronunciation of every letter, without any exaggeration or deficiency. Through
this, the reciter can recite the Qur’an according to the way of the prophet peace be upon him who received it
from Jibreel who received it from Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’la in the classical Arabic language.

The articulation points

It is the place from where a letter is pronounced, making its sound different from the sound of other letters.
Using the right articulation point of a letter is necessary to utter the letter correctly.

The sound:

It is a group of vibrations and waves carried in the air to the human ears.

The letter:

It is a sound that is pronounced from a specific articulation point.

To know the point of articulation of any letter, put a hamzah before the letter. For example if you want to know
the point of articulation of the letter ‫ب‬, put hamzah before it ‫ أب‬.

if the Ouran reader pronounces each letter from its proper articulation point, with all of the letter’s
characteristics, and can read each letter properly by itself, and in conjunction with other words, he has then
achieved high quality in reading the Ouran.

How do humans produce 28 different sounds in the

 Arabic alphabet, using only 2 vocal chords?
The speech system is divided into five major areas. Each letter has one articulation point, which is used to
produce the sound of the letter.

Some articulation points have more than one spot which produces different sounds. There are 17 different
articulation points to pronounce the 28 Arabic letters and the Madd letters.

For a letter to be pronounced, there has to be a collision of two parts of the speech system. However, this is not
the case for the Madd letters, where you will have to create a distance to the colliding parts.

the speech system

The following are the five major areas of the speech system:

 The empty space in the mouth and throat: It has one articulation point for the three letters of
 The Throat: It has three articulation points for six different letters which are pronounced from the
deepest, middle, and closest part of the
 The Tongue: It has ten articulation points for eighteen letters.
 The Two Lips: The lips have two articulation points for four
 The Nasal Cavity: It is a large air-filled space above and behind the nose, in the middle of the It is
the continuation of both nostrils. There is one articulation point, that of the Ghunnah.
 

The empty space in the throat and mouth (Al-Jawf)

The Throat
the Tongue
The Lips
The Nasal Cavity
The empty space in the throat and mouth (Al-Jawf)

The empty space in the mouth and throat is a major area and an articulation point at the same time. The three
Madd (lengthened) letters originate from this general area, these letters are:

 Waaw Sak inah preceded by a Dhammah

 Yaa Sakinah preceded by a Kasrah
 Alif preceded  by a Fathah.
These three Madd letters do not have a specific place that they are pronounced from, unlike all the other letters.
Their sound is produced from the point of articulation of the previous letter.

When pronouncing the Alif, the sound should be rising. If the Alif is preceded by a heavy letter, the Alif
should be heavy, whilst if preceded by a light letter, it will be

light. Example: ‫باب‬

When pronouncing the Waaw, the sound should be straight (neither falling nor
rising), in addition to circling of the lips.

Example: ‫يفعلون‬

When pronouncing the Yaa, the sound should be falling, in addition to raising of the middle part of the tongue.

Example: ‫عليم‬

The Throat

There are three points of articulation in the throat and each point has two letters
emitted from therein. Each point of articulation has two spots which produce
diHerent sounds.

 The deepest part of the throat

 2- The middle part of the throat
3- The closest part of the throat (closest to the mouth)
 
The deepest part of the throat:
‫ه–ء‬

These letters are pronounced from the deepest part of the throat which is the furthest away from the mouth and
the closest to the chest.

The middle part of the throat:

‫ع–ح‬

These letters are pronounced from the middle part of the throat which lies half way in between the beginning
and the end of the throat.

The closest part of the throat:

‫غ–خ‬

These letters are pronounced from the closest part of the throat which is the beginning of the throat, or the
closest to the mouth.

the Tongue

There are ten articulation points for eighteen letters. These ten articulation
points are distributed over four areas of the tongue:

1- The deepest part of the tongue:

‫ك‬-‫ق‬

 2- The middle of the tongue.

‫ي‬-‫ش‬-‫ج‬

3- The edges (sides) of the tongue.

‫ض‬-‫ل‬

 4- The tip of the tongue.

‫ظ‬-‫ذ‬-‫ث‬-‫ص‬-‫ز‬-‫س‬-‫ط‬-‫د‬-‫ت‬-‫ر‬-‫ن‬

The roof of the mouth is divided into 2 parts:

 The hard palate; the top roof area, near the

 The soft palate; deepest part of the roof, near the The tongue touches the gums or the hard or the
soft palates to produce different letters.
                      The Lips
There are two articulation points for four letters.

The first point of articulation  is for the ‫ف‬, the other  one is for the ‫و‬-‫م‬-‫ب‬.

The bottom edge of the front two upper incisors touches the inner bottom lip.

‫ف‬

Circling of the two lips without meeting completely. This Waaw is not the Waaw
Madd. ‫و‬

‫و‬

Closing the two lips together.

When pronouncing the ‫م‬, part of the sound comes from the mouth whilst the other part comes from the nose.

‫ب‬

The Nasal Cavity

‫ن–م‬

It is a large air-filled space above and behind the nose in the middle of the face. Each cavity is the continuation
of one of the two nostrils. There is one articulation point, that of the Ghunnah.

Ghunnah is a characteristic, not a letter. It is a characteristic of Meem and Noon

letters.