Read

with
Tajweed
This material is taken from the website
readwithtajweed.com

Pdf created by haiderdotnet@gmail.com

 Contents

1. The Etiquette of proper recitation of Qur'an -----------------------------------------------------------3

2. What is Tajweed---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5
3. Arabic Letters & Vowels -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------8
Arabic Alphabet
Letters
Vowels
Miscellaneous
4. Makhaarij of The Arabic Letters -----------------------------------------------------------------------14
Al Jawf (The Oral Cavity)
Al Halq (The Throat)
Al Lisaan (The Tongue)
Al Shafatain (The Lips)
Al Khaysoom (The Nasal Cavity)
5. Sifaat of The Arabic Letters -----------------------------------------------------------------------------21
Sifaat With Opposite (Complement)
Sifaat Without Opposite (Non-Complement)
6. The Definite Article --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------33
7. The Letter Hamza ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------40
Hazatul Wasl
Hamzatul Qat'a
8. The letter RA ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------45
Tafkheem (Rough/Thick)
Tarqeeq (Soft/Thin)
9. The letter LAAM ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------50
10. The Rules of Meem Saakina ----------------------------------------------------------------------------54
11. Noon Saakin & Tanween -------------------------------------------------------------------------------58
Idh-haar
Idghaam
Iqlaab
Ikhfaa'
12. Idghaam ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------68
13. The Rules of Madd --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------78
Madd Caused by Hamza
Madd Caused/Followed by Sukoon or Shaddah
Madd 'Aarid Li Sukoon
Madd Caused/Followed by Other Things
14. The Rules of Stopping (Waqf) ------------------------------------------------------------------------101
15. Finishing Touches --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------105
 Contents

t me ben

The Etiquette of proper recitation of Qur'an

Allah ( ) only accepts deeds that are correct and sincere. A sincere deed is

one done for Allah ( ) alone and a correct deed is one done according to
the rules of Sharia' (Islamic law). Therefore a reader should follow certain
principles when reciting. The most important rules are as follows:

1. The reader to be free of that which breaks a minor ritual ablution
(wudu) and to be free of that which breaks a major ritual ablution
(ghusl). (The reader should be in a state of ritual purity).

2. The place (in which he reads) should be legally pure (tahar)

3. The reader should begin with ta'wwuth ‫ّﻮذ‬
‫َﻌ‬
‫ﺗ‬
َ  (seeking refuge in Allah

from Shaitaan), be it at the beginning of the surah or the middle. This

is according to Allah's ( ) words:

'So when you recite the Quran, seek refuge in Allah from
Satan, the expelled.' 

(Surah Nahl ; 16:98)

4. The reader should say ﴾ ﴿ at the

beginning of each surah, except surah Tauba.

5. The reader should read with spiritual openness (khushu) out of

respect for the Qur'an. Allah ( ) says:

'If We had sent down this Qur'an upon a mountain, you would
have seen it humbled and breaking down from fear of Allah...'

(Surah Al­Hashr ; 59:21)

6. The reader should read with thoughtfulness, reflecting about the
meaning of what one reads

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'Then do they not reflect on the Qur'an...'

(Surah Muhammad ; 47:24)

7. The reader should beautify his/her voice during reading ­ without

pretence. Bara' ibn Azb said: 'the Messenger of Allah ( ) said:

"Beautify the Qur'an with your voices" (1).

And from Abu Harayra (RA):

"He is not of us, he who doesn't recite the Qur'an in a
melodious voice." (2)

The purpose of beautifying one's voice is to facilitate the
understanding of the meaning and to move anyone that might hear it
and to appreciate the beauty of the style and words. Reciting it
melodiously to entertain (as a song would) is haraam (forbidden). A
truly beautiful and melodious recital is that which depends on correct
pronunciation and perfect application of the tajweed rules.

8. It is required of anyone who hears the Qur'an recited whether from a
reader (Qari) or a radio/television/computer or other source, to listen

and think about the verses. As Allah ( ) has said:

'so when the Qur'an is read, then listen to it and pay attention
that you may receive mercy"

(Surah Al­A'raf ; 7:204)

9. The reader should read the Qur'an using tajweed and recite it in the
best way.

10. The reader should hold back the urge to yawn during reading until it is
gone.

11. The reader should attest to the truth of Allah's words and witness to

the call and testament of the Prophet ( ).

12. The reader should avoid interrupting a recitation for the purpose of
talking to people, except when necessary.

13. The reader should ask Allah ( ) for His bounty at a verse of mercy

and to seek refuge with Allah ( ) at verses of warning. 

(1) Sunan Abi Dawood, v.2. Book of Prayer; Chapter: Istihbab at'Tarteel fee
al'Qira'a. Hadeeth 1468 al­Maktaba al­Asriya Sayda, Beirut

(2) Sahih Bukhari, v. 9, The Book of Tajweed, p.188, printing Dar Ihya al­
Turath al­Arabi ­Cairo, in the year 1378h. 1958 CE

Ref: Useful Tips from the Science of Tajweed, Al'Hajjah
Hayat Ali Al Hussaini, translated by Dr Da'ad al Hussaini.
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What is Tajweed?
Introduction

Tajweed ( ‫ ) ﺗﺠﻮﯾﺪ‬is an Arabic word meaning correct pronunciation during

recitation. It is a set of rules which dictate how the Qur'an should be read. It
comes from the root word 'ja-wa-da' meaning to make well, make better or
improve.

TARTEEL

The word is used in Surah Muzammil :

'And recite the Qur'an in slow measured rhythmic

tone'

(Al Qur'an ; 73:4)

The Arabic word translated as 'slow, measured rythmic' is TARTEEL. The

tafseer of the above ayat according to Ibn Kathir is 'recite the Qur'an slowly,
making the letters clear, for this is an assistance in understanding and pondering
the meaning of the Qur'an.'

The teaching used in this website is Hafs 'An 'Aasim by the way of
Shaatibiyyah ()
For a detailed insight into the different
qiraat, here are some recommended links

http://www.abouttajweed.com/

http://islamthought.wordpress.com/2008/12/14/qirat-of-the-quran/

Why the need for tajweed rules?

When Islam was being spread (and it was done so at a very quick pace and also

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into non-Arab speaking countries) not everyone's tongue was accustomed to the
Arabic letters and sounds. Thus, when reciting the Qur'an, much error and
distortion occurred and the Muslim scholars feared (the perpetration of) that
error and distortion.

It was at this point that some of them recorded the rules and foundations that
regulate the correct pronunciation of Qur'an, and they named this the Science
of Tajweed.

The rules were not made up by these Scholars. In fact, all they did was closely
observe the perfect readers who read as they were taught by the Prophet () and
wrote down for later generations the rules of recitation of the earlier generations.

From the outset, Tajweed was a Science that cannot be learnt only from a book
and will always retain this inherent quality.

The most important part of Tajweed is learning about correct positions of the
organs of speech and the manner of articulation. The Qur'an can lose its
meaning if the letters are not pronounced correctly.

E.g ‫ﻛ ﻠﺐ‬ ‫ﻗ ﻠﺐ‬

Dog Heart

The first letters are similar in pronunciation, but if not pronounced

correctly will change the word/meaning completely

Tajweed is not intended to be about just learning rules and committing them to
memory, but rather the correct application of those rules while reciting the
Qur'an.

When 'tajweed' is observed, the reading will flow smoothly and eloquently. The
reader will also be sure he is following the holy Prophet's () example by reciting
the Qur'an just as the Prophet () did and just as it was revealed to him -
InshaAllah. Failure to adhere to those rules may result in an unacceptable
manner of reading, altering the entire meaning of the words and making one
guilty of the unintentional utterance of the words of disbelief (kufr). Incorrect
recital of the Qur'an constitutes LAHN, which may deprive the reader of any
reward in the Hereafter, and Allah () Knows Best.

Definitions

Tajweed linguistically - to improve and make better

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Tajweed technically - the correct recitation of the Qur'an that is achieved by
giving each letter its due (using the organs of speech) through:

The vowel movements - Harakaat

Prescribed point of exit (where the sound of each letter should come
from) - Makhraj
The manner of articulation (the characteristics of the letters and
recitation) - Sifa

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Letters and Vowels

www.readwithtajweed.com /tajweed_letters.htm

Introduction

The Arabic Alphabet

The table shows the letters of the alphabet in their possible states, depending
on whether they are isolated or together with other letters in a word. If it is in a
word, its form is affected by its position within the word, whether initial, middle or
final. This causes a letter to have 4 possible forms, 1 when alone, and 3 when in
a word: initial, middle and final.

MERGED ISOLATED

Final Middle Initial

‫ـﺄ‬ ‫ـﺄ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫أ‬

‫ﺐ‬ ‫ـﺒـ‬ ‫ﺑـ‬ ‫ب‬

‫ﺖ‬ ‫ـﺘـ‬ ‫ﺗـ‬ ‫ت‬

‫ـﺚ‬ ‫ـﺜـ‬ ‫ﺛ‬ ‫ث‬

‫ـﺞ‬ ‫ـﺠـ‬ ‫ﺟـ‬ ‫ج‬

‫ـﺢ‬ ‫ـﺤـ‬ ‫ﺣـ‬ ‫ح‬

‫ـﺦ‬ ‫ـﺨـ‬ ‫ﺧـ‬ ‫خ‬

‫ـﺪ‬ ‫ـﺪ‬ ‫د‬ ‫د‬

‫ـﺬ‬ ‫ـﺬ‬ ‫ذ‬ ‫ذ‬

‫ـﺮ‬ ‫ـﺮ‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ر‬

‫ـﺰ‬ ‫ـﺰ‬ ‫ز‬ ‫ز‬

‫ـﺲ‬ ‫ـﺴـ‬ ‫ﺳـ‬ ‫س‬

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‫ـﺶ‬ ‫ـﺸـ‬ ‫ﺷـ‬ ‫ش‬

‫ـﺺ‬ ‫ـﺼـ‬ ‫ﺻـ‬ ‫ص‬

‫ـﺾ‬ ‫ـﻀـ‬ ‫ﺿـ‬ ‫ض‬

‫ـﻂ‬ ‫ﻄ‬ ‫ﻃـ‬ ‫ط‬

‫ـﻆ‬ ‫ـﻈـ‬ ‫ﻇـ‬ ‫ظ‬

‫ـﻊ‬ ‫ـﻌـ‬ ‫ﻋـ‬ ‫ع‬

‫ـﻎ‬ ‫ـﻐـ‬ ‫ﻏـ‬ ‫غ‬

‫ـﻒ‬ ‫ـﻔـ‬ ‫ﻓـ‬ ‫ف‬

‫ـﻖ‬ ‫ـﻘـ‬ ‫ﻗـ‬ ‫ق‬

‫ـﻚ‬ ‫ـﻜـ‬ ‫ﻛـ‬ ‫ك‬

‫ـﻞ‬ ‫ـﻠـ‬ ‫ﻟـ‬ ‫ل‬

‫ـﻢ‬ ‫ـﻤـ‬ ‫ﻣـ‬ ‫م‬

‫ـﻦ‬ ‫ـﻨـ‬ ‫ﻧـ‬ ‫ن‬

‫ـﻪ‬ ‫ـﻬـ‬ ‫ﻫـ‬

‫ـﻮ‬ ‫ـﻮ‬ ‫و‬ ‫و‬

‫ي‬ ‫ـﯿـ‬ ‫ﯾـ‬ ‫ي‬

‫‪NOTE :‬‬

‫‪There are 6 letters that do not allow any letter to join with them from the left.‬‬
‫‪These letters are :‬‬

‫و‬ ‫ز‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ذ‬ ‫د‬ ‫أ‬

‫‪Page 9‬‬
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Letters

The correct recitation of the Qur'an that is achieved by giving each letter its due
(using the organs of speech) through:

The vowel movements - Harakaat

Prescribed point of exit (where the sound of each letter should come
from) - Makhraj
The manner of articulation (the characteristics of the letters and
recitation) - Sifa

There are 16 letters of the Arabic alphabet which can be likened to various
letters of the English alphabet :

Arabic Closest English Arabic Word Surah : English word Audio

Letter Equivalent Example Verse example

‫ب‬ B 78:12 Bravo

‫ت‬ T 79:6 Tango

‫ج‬ J 78:9 Juliet

‫د‬ D 79:30 Delta

‫ز‬ Z 79:13 Zulu

‫س‬ S 78:4 Sierra

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‫ش‬ Sh 78:39 Shoe

‫ف‬ F 78:3 Foxtrot

‫ك‬ K 78:4 Kilo

‫ل‬ L 78:10 Leema

‫م‬ M 78:3 Mike

‫ن‬ N 78:9 November

‫ه‬ H 78:3 Hotel

‫و‬ W 78:16 Water

‫ء‬ A 78:14 Alpha

‫ي‬ Y 78:18 Yankee

The following letters do not have an English equivalent. These are :

‫ث‬ ‫خ‬ ‫ذ‬ ‫ر‬ ‫ص‬ ‫ض‬

‫ط‬ ‫ظ‬ ‫ع‬ ‫غ‬ ‫ق‬

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Vowels (Harakaat)

In the English language we use letters for vowels, whereas in the Arabic
language we use symbols, or a combination of symbols and letters. Also, the
Arabic language has short and long vowels, whereas the English language has
just the one type.

SHORT VOWELS (1 count)

LONG VOWELS (2 counts)

Symbol/ Letter Other Sound Extract from Verse Surah :Verse

aa (114:2)

‫ى‬ aa

aa (114:3)

(93:1)

ea/ee (114:5)

oo (112:3)

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MISCELLANEOUS

SHADDAH ()

The letter on which the symbol appears is read by doubling it. (e.g R would
become RR) So the first letter (R) is read as if there would be a sukoon (stop)
on the it and the second (R) with a harakat (vowel)

E.g

'Tabba' ( ) should be read as 'tab-ba' (2 ‫' ب‬s),

not as 'tab' ( )

(1 ‫) ب‬

In its original form it can be dissected as

Caution - when there are a couple or a few tashdeeds together

in one, two or three words, then utmost care should be taken to
ensure that all the tashdeeds are recited correctly. It is a common mistake to be
neglectful of these collective tashdeeds

Example

Extract from Verse Surah :Verse

(113:4)

(7:157)

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The Makhaarij of the Letters

Definition :
The correct position of the organs of speech in order to produce a letter so that it can be differentiated from others.
This is equally so whether the letter is a consonant or a vow el.

Being able to recite the letters correctly is the foundation of tajw eed, and this is achieved by know ing where the
sound originates. This can then help in practising the pronunciation of the letters correctly.

The diagram below gives a snapshot of where each letter originates :

How ever, Makhaarij must be used hand in hand w ith sifa (characteristics of the letter) in order to pronounce the
letter completely and correctly, as the Makhraj provides the origin and the Sifa provides extra information required to
pronounce the letter properly.

To achieve the correct makhraj of a letter, practise via placing a

sukoon ( ) on it, and precede it with an alif / hamzah with a kasrah ( ) .

E.g

There are 5 main categories of Makhaarij :

1. The oral cavity Al Jawf ‫َاﳉﻮف‬

2. The throat Al Halq ‫َاﳊﻠﻖ‬
3. The tongue Al Lissaan ‫ا ِّﻠﺴَ ﺎن‬
4. The lips Ash-shafatain ‫اﻟﺸ َﻔ ﺎن‬
5. The nasal cavity Al Khayshoom ‫َاﳋ ُﺸ ﻮم‬

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Al Jawf

This is all the empty space that occurs from the chest, up the throat and out through the mouth.

It is the makhraj of the long vowels sounds (also known as the elongated letters) and is elongated for 2 counts:

(Surah
Letter Description Extract from Verse
: Verse)

(1:5)
upon which

there is a
Alif
(sukoon)and is
(1:6)
preceded by a
(fathah)

(1:7)
upon which

Waw there is a
(sukoon)and is (2:3)
preceded by a
(dammah)

(1:4)
upon which

Yaa there is a
(sukoon)and is (1:7)
preceded by a
(kasrah)

These letters are also found in the Qur'an :

(11:49)

NB in the Qur'an, the sukoon may not alw ays be shown on the letter, but as a general rule, whenever a letter does not carry a vow el, it means
that it has a sukoon, even if it is not actually present.

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Al Halq
In the throat there are 3 makhaarij and each one has 2 letters:

Remember to practise pronouncing letters by placing a sukoon in front of the letter as shown.

Al Lisaan

Many letters come from the mouth: that is the tongue and its connection w ith the different areas of the
teeth and mouth
There are 4 main makhaarij that can be divided into 10 sub-categories:

1. The furthest back part of the tongue - this has 2 sub categories:

1. The furthest back part of the tongue - this has 2 sub categories:

i. is pronounced by the extreme back of the tongue touching the upper palate

to create a thick sound in the tonsils vicinity, w ith a round sound ( )

ii. The makhraj is slightly in front of the . This time the tongue should not
meet the upper palate other than what is necessary to pronounce the letter. So the sound still
comes from the back of the tongue, except this time the tongue is not elevated.( )

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2. The middle of the tongue - this single makhraj covers 3 letters:

, and
These are all pronounced when the middle part of the tongue comes in contact w ith what lies opposite to it from the
roof of the mouth

3. The side of the tongue - this has 2 specific points of articulation:

i. The rear side of the tongue touches the upper back teeth (upper molars) in

either one of 3 w ays : from the right side, from the left side OR from both sides.
The left side of the tongue is most commonly used as it is easier than the right,

and usage of both sides of the tongue is rare ( )

ii. Located behind the makhraj of the ( )

4. The tip of the tongue

i. These letters pretty much come from the same place - the difference betw een them is slight but
important. The tip of the tongue meets the base of the top front teeth (place where the gums and teeth meet):

Is most forw ard and exact at the poin t where the gums and teeth meet ( )

Is a little further back ( )

Is behind the a little. The back of the tongu e should also meet the upper palate as it is a thick

letter ( )

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ii.

The tip the tongue should meet the place where

the gums and low er teeth meet. You should allow
the flow of air in the mouth to pass from the
back to the front and exit from betw een the teeth ( )

The back of the tongue elevates to meet the the upper palate as it is

a thick letter ( )

For this letter, the teeth should be pressed together that the air

passage sounds like a buzzing sound ( )

iii. the tip of the tongue meets the edge of the front upper teeth:

is articulated by putting pressure o n the edge of the 2 upper incisor teeth ( )

is articulated by putting pressure o n the mid-section of the 2 upper

incisor teeth ( )

is articulated by putting pressure on the edge of the roots of the upper incisor teeth. The
back of the tongue elevates to meet the upper palate as it is a thick letter ( )

Ash Shafatain
This is simply the lips, and has 2 sub-categories:

1. When one lip is used

The edge of the upper front teeth meet the in side low er lip (the w et part) ( )

2. When tw o lips are used

This is not the of elongation from the jaw f. This letter w i ll carry a harakaat.

It is pronounced by the incomplete joining of both lips ( )

Pronounced by the meeting of the dry outer parts of the lips, and pushing air

through the nasal passage ( )

Pronounced by pressing the lips together firmly and quickly. Similar to the letter but there is
more of a bounce as you press the lips then quickly release them again. ( )

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Al Khayshoom

The nasal cavity is located at the furthest point of the nose (the bridge of the nose). It is the opening that connects the mouth w ith the
nose. This connection is where the ghunnah exits. The ghunnah is a sound that is resonated and the tongue is not used to produce it .
The duration of the ghunnah sound is for 2 counts.

The ghunnah is produced in the follow ing cases:

When the has a shaddah ( )

When the has a shaddah ( )

Rules of / tanween

Rules of
Example

Extract from
Letter Extract from Verse Surah :Verse Surah:Verse
Verse

(78:1) (78:5)

(78:16) (78:17)

Quick Tip..
Ensure that the follow ing letters are differentiated and pronounced correctly.

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The Sifaat of the letters (‫)ِﺻَﻔﺎت اﻟﺤﺮوف‬

www.readwithtajweed.com /tajweed_Sifaat.htm

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)

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Shiddah Rakhaawa

(explosive) (softness)

INBETWEEN Tawassut

Itbaaq Infitaah

(closed) (opened)

Ithlaaq Ismaat

(flowing, ease of exit) (sharply pronounced)

Istalaa / Tafkheem Istifaal /Tarqeeq

(elevated) (depressed, low)

Hems (whispered)

Definition: weak or slight continuation of breath (whispering, expulsion of air)

upon pronunciation of the letter when it carries a SUKOON

The quality of hems is found in the following 10 letters which are called
mahmuusah ‫ﻣﻬُﻣﻮَﺳﺔ‬

Examples of Hems

The whispering is also present when the letter has a harakaat (other than

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sukoon), but it is not as strong (it is more of a natural hems whereas
when it carries a sukoon you have to emphasize the hems more)

E.g ‫ُفِفَف‬ () E.g ‫ُثِثَث‬ ()

However, the letters and ONLY have hems when they carry a
sukoon (as they carry another characteristic, shiddah)

E.g ‫)( ُتِتَت‬ E.g ‫ُكِكَك‬ ()

ALWAYS has strong hems, whatever the harakaat

E.g ‫) ( ُسِسَس‬

Jahr (Opposite of Hems)

Definition: the stoppage of breath upon pronunciation of a letter when it carries
a SUKOON

This is achieved by stopping the air flow at the makhraj of the letter
The quality of jahr are found in the remaining letters which are called
majhuurah (‫)َﻣْﺠُﻬﻮَرة‬

Shiddah (Explosive/Strength)

This category has an in-between as well as an opposite

Definition: strong stoppage of the sound upon pronunciation of the letter when

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it carries a SAKOON

This is achieved by relying strongly on the makhraj or by constricting it

The quality of shiddah is found in the following letters which are called
shadiidah (‫)َﺷِﺪْﯾَﺪة‬

the quality of shiddah is to pronounce forcefully, that when pronounced,

the sound of the letter will be HARD, and the sound of the letter will end
off in the makhraj

Rakhaawa (Opposite of Shiddah)

Definition: the continuation of sound upon pronunciation of the letter when it

carries a SAKOON, in a soft and gentle manner

these letters are neither shiddah nor tawassut

rakhaawa is the continuation of SOUND whereas hems is the

continuation of BREATH

Tawassut (in-between Rakhaawa and Shiddah)

Definition: this is moderation between the previous two. The sound of the letter
is not cut off nor allowed to continue.

The quality of tawassut is found in the following 5 letters which are called
mutawassitah (‫)ُﻣﺘََﻮﱠِﺳﻄﺔ‬

E.g (97:1) E.g (1:7)

Itbaaq (closed)
Definition: contact between the back of the tongue and the upper palate of the
mouth.

This characteristic is necessary no matter what harakaat (not just when it

carries a sakoon)
The quality of itbaaq is to pronounce in a closed and covered manner.
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That is, during pronunciation, the tongue is elevated to such an extent
that it covers the palate and the mouth remains nearly closed
The quality of itbaaq is found in the following letters which are called
mutbaqah (‫)ُﻣْﻄَﺒّﻘﺔ‬

E.g ‫ص‬
َ ‫ص‬
ِ ‫ص‬
ُ () E.g ‫ُطِطَط‬ ()

Infitaah (Opposite to Itbaaq)

Definition: separation of the tongue from the upper palate, thus pronouncing in
an opened manner.

The quality of infitaah is to pronounce in an opened manner. That is,

during pronunciation, the tongue does not cover the palate and the mouth
remains open
The quality of infitaah are found in the remaining letters and are called
munfatihah (‫)ُﻣْﻨَﻔِﺘَﺤﺔ‬

E.g ‫) ( ُبِبَب‬ E.g ‫ُنِنَن‬ ()

for some of these letters, the tongue may be raised, but actual contact
will not occur (refer to ista'ala)

Ithlaaq
Definition: the speed of which the letters are pronounced because of the ease
of the makhraj.

The quality of ithlaaq is to pronounce in a smooth and easy manner

The quality of ithlaaq is found in the following letters which are called
mudhlaqah (‫)ُﻣْﺬﻟََﻘﺔ‬

The area of pronunciation of these letters, that is, the edge of the tongue
or the edge of the mouth namely the lips, can be considered as factors
contributing to the smooth and easy manner of pronunciation

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Ismaat (opposite to ithlaaq)

Definition: to pronounce in a heavy manner.

During pronunciation, a certain amount of effort is required.

The quality of ismaat is found in the remaining letters which are called
musmatah (‫)ُﻣﺼَﻤﺘَﺔ‬

Ista'ala / tafkheem (elevated)

Definition: the elevation of the back of the tongue to the back roof of the mouth
upon pronunciation of the letter, no matter what harakaat.

During pronunciation, the back of the tongue is raised towards the upper
palate. This will produce a thick, round sound
These are known as full mouth / thick letters and are thus pronounced
with a full mouth
The quality of ist'ala is found in the following seven letters which are
called musta'liyah (‫)ُﻣْﺴَﺘْﻌِﻠَﯿﺔ‬

For ista'ala the tongue is just RAISED, whereas for itbaaq it actually
makes CONTACT
The elevation is less when these letters carry a

E.g ‫) ( ُق ِق َق‬ E.g ‫ُغ ِغ َغ‬ ()

Tarqeeq (opposite to Tafkheem)

Definition: the lowering or depressing of the back of the tongue away from the
roof of the mouth upon pronunciation of the letter.

During pronunciation, the tongue is not raised, but kept downward in its
normal position. This downward position will cause a flat sound
These are also known as empty-mouth / thin letters and are thus
pronounced with an empty mouth
The quality of istifaal is found in the remaining letters which are called
mustafilah (‫)ُﻣْﺴﺘَِﻔﻠَﺔ‬

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SIFAAT WITHOUT OPPOSITES

1 Safeer (whistling sound) (‫ﺻِﻔﯿﺮ‬

َ)

2 Qalqalah (echoing / bouncing sound) (‫)َﻗﻠَﻘﻠﺔ‬

3 Leen (soft sound) (‫)ِﻟْﯿﻦ‬

4 Inhiraaf (inclined sound) (‫)إِْﻧِﺤﺮاف‬

5 Takreer (repeated sound) (‫)َﺗْﻜِﺮﯾﺮ‬

6 Tafsh-shee (spreading sound) (‫)ﺗََﻔِّﺸﻲ‬

7 Istitaalah (elongated sound) (‫)ِإْﺳﺘِﻄﺎﻟﺔ‬

Safeer (whistling sound)

Definition: It is a sound similar to that of a bird, bee which can be described as

either a buzzing or whistling sound

The letter always has this sound no matter what harakaat, though the
safeer becomes stronger when it carries a SAKOON
The quality of safeer is found in the following 3 letters which are called
safeerah (‫ﺻِﻔﯿﺮة‬
َ)

Qalqalah (bouncing / echoing sound)

Definition: to pronounce with an echoing or bouncing sound when the letter

carries a SUKOON only.

A characteristic of this sifa is the quick movement of the tongue or lips

upon articulation
The quality of qalqalah is found in the five following letters when they
carry a sukoon and are called muqalqalah (‫)ُﻣَﻘﻠَﻘﻠﺔ‬

E.g (111:1)

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The qalqalah is necessary for these letters because they have the
attributes of jahr (stoppage of the flow of breath) and shiddah (stoppage
of the flow of sound), so without qalqalah, there would be no sound!

There are 2 types :

1. Sughrah (minor)
2. Kubrah (major)

Sughrah (minor)

The qalqalah letter will appear either in the middle or end of a word, but the
reader will continue the recitation and will not stop on it

E.g (108:3)

Kubrah (major)

If the qalaqalah letter appears at the end of a word and the reader stops on it
(for whatever reason), the qalqalah sound is at its clearest / strongest

E.g (109:3)

Leen (dipthong / easiness)

Definition: A manner of articulation that seeks an easy pronunciation.

The quality of leen is found in the following 2 letters when they carry a
sakoon and the letter before it carries a fathah. They are called layyinah
(‫)ﻟﯿﱠِﻨﺔ‬

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'Ay' sound 'Ow' sound

The pronunciation has to be for the duration of 2 counts

Inhiraaf (inclined sound)

Definition: the leaning of the tongue away from its makhraj until it nears another
makhraj.

This quality is found in 2 letters and are called munharifah (‫)ُﻣْﻨَﺤِﺮَﻓﺔ‬

Therefore, the is pronounced with an inclination towards the

makhraj of the and vice versa
This is more of a caution than a rule

Takreer (to repeat)

Definition: the quality of takreer is to pronounce in a repeated manner

Tafash-shee (spreading sound)

Definition: to pronounce a letter with the filling of the mouth with air allowing the
sound to spread greatly over the mouth.

The quality o tafash-shee is found in the letter and it is called

mutafash-shiyah (‫)ُﻣَﺘَﻔﱠِﺸﯿﺔ‬

This is actually a natural characteristic of the , and the filling of the

mouth with air applies whatever the harakaat. However, it is stronger
when it carries a sukoon

Istitaalah (elongated sound or to seek something)

Definition: the quality of istitaalah is to pronounce a letter in a slow and
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elongated manner. When pronounced, the sound of the letter will remain from
the beginning of the makhraj till the end (the extension of the sound covers the
entire sound of the tongue)

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Sifaat with Opposites Qualities

ALL
Hems ‫فحثه شخص سكت‬ REMAINING Jahr
LETTERS

Weak/slight continuation Stoppage of breath

of breath
In between
ALL
Shiddah REMAINING Rakhaawa
‫أجد قط بكت‬ ‫لن عمر‬ LETTERS
Stoppage of sound Continuation of sound

ALL
Itbaaq ‫طظصض‬ REMAINING Infitaah
LETTERS
Contact between back of
Separation of tongue from
tongue and upper palate
upper palate(empty mouth)
(full mouth)

ALL
Ithlaaq ‫فر من لب‬ REMAINING Ismaat
LETTERS

These letters come out Pronouncing these letters is

very easily difficult

‫خص ضغط قظ‬ ALL

Tafkheem
REMAINING Tarqeeq
LETTERS
Elevation of the back of
the tongue (full mouth) Lowering of the tongue
(empty mouth)

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Sifaat without Opposite Qualities

Whistle/ ‫الصفير‬
‫صزس‬
Elongated/ ‫االستطالة‬
Bouncing/ ‫القلقلة‬
‫ض‬ ‫قطب جد‬

Spray/ ‫التفشي‬ Soft/ ‫اللين‬

‫ش‬ ‫َو‬

Repeat/ ‫التكرار‬ Inclined/‫االنحراف‬

‫ر‬ ‫رل‬

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Rules of the Definite Article

www.readwithtajweed.com /tajweed_theDefArt.htm

Of the 28 letters of the Arabic alphabet,

14 of the letters are known as solar (sun) letters. These are :

‫تثدذرزسشصضطظلن‬

14 of the letters are known as lunar (moon) letters. These are :

‫ءب ج ح خ ع غ ف ق ك م ه و ي‬

the Arabic letters ‫ ال‬means 'The' in English

E.g ‫ﺑﺎ ب‬ door

‫ال‬ the

‫ال‬ + ‫ﺑﺎ ب‬ = ‫ا ﻟ ﺒﺎ ب‬

The + Door = The Door

The 1st letter of the word that follows ‫ ال‬would determine the pronunciation
depending on whether it is a sun or moon letter

SOLAR (SUN) LETTERS (shamsiyyah) ‫ﺷﻤﺴﯿﻪ‬

EXAMPLE 1

Requirements :

Presence of ‫ال‬
followed by a sun letter

Effect:

the letter alif of the ‫ ال‬is assimilated with the sun letter
the letter laam of the ‫ ال‬is ignored

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the sun letter carries a shaddah

‫َﺷﻤﺲ‬ Sun

‫ال‬ The

‫ال‬ + ‫َﺷﻤﺲ‬ = ‫اَﻟ َّﺸﻤﺲ‬

The + Sun = The Sun

This is pronounced as 'ash-shams' and not 'al-shams'

If you want to join the preceding word onto the ‫ ال‬word, then you ignore the ‫ال‬
completely

EXAMPLE 2

Requirements :

Presence of‫ال‬
followed by a sun letter
and preceded by another word

Effect :

the last letter of this word joins straight onto the sun letter
so the ‫ ال‬is ignored completely

Examples of Solar Letters

Sun Definite article Definite article preceded by Surah :

Letter attached to word letter / word Verse

(95:1)

(3:195)

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(1:3)

(51:1)

(2:143)

(2:277)

(2:22)

(25:29)

(112:2)

(9:91)

(2:260)

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(4:75)

(2:274)

(75:2)

Lunar (MOON) Letters (Qamariyyah)‫ﻗﻤﺮﯾﻪ‬

EXAMPLE 1

Requirements :

Presence of ‫ال‬
followed by a moon letter

Effect :

the ‫ ال‬is pronounced

‫َﻗﻤﺮ‬ Moon

‫ال‬ The

‫ال‬ + ‫َﻗﻤﺮ‬ = ‫اْﻟَﻘﻤﺮ‬

The + Moon = The Moon

This is pronounced as 'al-qamr' and not 'aq-qamr'

If you want to join the preceding word onto the ‫ ال‬word, you only ignore the letter
alif of the ‫ال‬

EXAMPLE 2

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Requirements :

Presence of ‫ال‬
followed by a moon letter
and preceded by another word

Effect :

the last letter of this word joins straight onto the letter laam of the alif
therefore ignoring the letter alif only

(1:7)

The letter joins straight onto the and only the alif is ignored

This is pronounced as 'ghair-ril-magh-dhoo-be'

Examples of Lunar Letters

Lunar Definite article Definite article preceded by Surah :

Letter attached to word letter / word Verse

(12:6)

(2:127)

(7:40)

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(69:2)

(52:35)

(10:88)

(10:90)

(2:191)

(16:107)

(18:9)

(1:7)

(56:1)

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(56:55)

(15:99)

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The letter Hamzah (‫)ء‬

www.readwithtajweed.com /tajweed_letterHamza.htm

There are two types of hamzah that appear in the Qur'an. Both are read and
treated differently

Sign in Qur'an is ‫ء‬ Sign in the Qur'an is ‫ٱ‬

May appear anywhere Appears only at the beginning of
within a word. a word.
It is always pronounced Pronounced only if there is no
letter before it.

Hamza tul Wasl ( ‫) ﺰة اﻟﻮﺻﻞ‬

It occurs only at the beginning of the word.

It occurs without any harakah (vowel) on it.
It is written as ‫ٱ‬
It can be pronounced or skipped

Pronounced Skipped

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If the reader starts reading If the reader connects the word which
from the word starting with begins with hamza tul wasl with the letter
hamza tul wasl, then it preceding it, this letter is directly connected
should be pronounced. to the letter following hamza tul wasl.

Hamza tul wasl will be assigned with a dammah, if the 3rd letter of the
verb carries a dammah.

3rd Letter Hamza tul Wasl Extract from Verse Surah : Verse

Dammah Dammah 7:55

Dammah Dammah 12:9

Exceptional cases. The following words are the only verbs in the Qur'an
where the 3rd letter carries a dammah but a kasrah is assigned to the
hamza tul wasl (if he starts reading with it) :

‫ٱ ﻣ ﻀ ﻮا‬

‫ٱ ﻣ ﺸ ﻮا‬

‫ٱﺑﻨ ﻮا‬

‫ٱ ﻗ ﻀ ﻮا‬

‫ٱْﺋُﺘﻮا‬

Hamza tul wasl will be assigned with a kasrah, if the 3rd letter of the verb
carries a fathah or kasrah.

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3rd Hamza tul Extract from Verse Surah :

Letter Wasl Verse

fathah Kasrah 9:9

Kasrah Kasrah 1:6

Hamza tul Qat'a (‫) ﺰة اﻟﻘﻄﻊ‬

The letter Hamzah appears in many different forms in the Arabic language, but
pronounced the same

E.g ‫إ‬ ‫أ‬ ‫ئ‬ ‫ء‬

Note that the Alif and Hamzah are 2 different letters. The letter Alif in the Arabic
language is always free from any type of harakah. If an Alif seems to have a
harakah, then in actual fact it is a Hamzah

Points relating to the letter Hamzah

E.g (104:8) may sound as

E.g (2:58) may sound as

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E.g (21:61) may sound as

1. When there appear 2 Hamzahs together, ensure both are pronounced

distinctively

E.g (79:27)

E.g (21:62)

1. Where the letters Hamzah and Aeyn appear together, ensure that
both are differentiated clearly

E.g (114:1)

E.g (99:6)

E.g (21.81)

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Pronouncing Hamza Tul Wasl

At the beginning of nouns. At the beginning of verbs.

Nouns with Nouns If the third If the third

definite without letter of the letter of the
article (‫) ال‬ definite article verb carries a verb carries a
dammah fattah or
kasrah
Examples:
Examples: Examples: Examples:

َ ‫ٱلﱠ ِذ‬
‫ين‬ ‫ۡٱب ُن‬
‫ٱد ُخلوا‬ ‫ٱھ ِدنا‬

َ ‫ٱۡل َما ُع‬

‫ون‬ ‫ٱمرة‬ ‫ٱقتُلوا‬ ‫ٱقرٲ‬
َ

Hamza tul wasl Hamza tul wasl Hamza tul wasl Hamza tul wasl
will be will be will be will be
assigned assigned assigned assigned
with with with with
FATTAH KASRAH DAMMAH KASRAH

EXCEPTIO!

The reader should assign KASRAH if he

starts reading with it.
ْ ُ‫ۡٱئت‬
‫ٱمضوا‬, ‫ٱمشوا‬, ‫ٱبنوا‬, ‫ ٱقضوا‬, ‫وا‬

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The Rules of the letter ‫'( ر‬RA')

www.readwithtajweed.com /tajweed_letterRa.htm

There are 2 categories as the letter can either be:

1. Tafkheem (rough / thick) ‫ﺗَْﻔِﺨْﯿﻢ‬

2. Tarqeeq (soft / thin) ‫ﺗَْﺮِﻗْﯿﻖ‬

Tafkheem

To produce this sound the back of the tongue rises in the mouth. This elevation
of the tongue produces a thick or heavy sound.

There are 5 categories for when the produces a thick, round sound:

1. When it carries a fathah or dammah

E.g (91:13)

(91:14)

1. When it carries a sukoon and the letter before it carries a fathah

or dammah

E.g (91:6)

(102:2)

1. When it carries a sukoon and the letter before it carries a kasrah

, and the letter after the is a rough letter (ista'ala) that doesn't
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carry a kasrah

E.g (78:21)

1. When it carries a sukoon and the letter before it carries a 'helping'

kasra (not an original kasra)

E.g (89:28)

E.g (103:1)

(103:2)

Tarqeeq
To produce this sound, the back of the tongue lowers so that a flat sound
is produced.

There are 4 categories for when the produces a thin sound:

1. When it carries a kasrah

E.g (79:36)

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(80:37)

1. When it carries a sukoon and the letter before it carries an original

kasra in the same word and a letter of ista'ala (thick) doesn't follow it

E.g (79:17)

E.g (100:11)

(85:11)

1. When it carries a sukoon (due to stopping either in the middle or

end of an ayah), and the letter before it is a letter of istifaal (thin) which
carries a sukoon , and the letter before this carries a kasrah

E.g (89:5)

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RULES OF THE LETTER ‘RA’

TAFKHEEM

Rule Example

(110:2)
﴾ ﴿
When it carries
1 a fattah
or a dammah (110:1)
﴾ ﴿

(108:2)
﴾ ﴿
When it carries a sukoon and is preceded by
2 a fattah
or a dammah (102:2)
﴾ ﴿

When it carries a sukoon and is preceded by a

3 (78:21)
﴾ ﴿
kasrah, and the letter after the ‘Ra’ is a rough
letter (ista’ala) which doesn’t carry a kasrah

4 When it carries a sukoon and is preceded by ﴾ ﴿

(89:28)
a ‘helping’ kasrah

When it carries a sukoon (as a result of

stopping), and is preceded by a letter that is not a

5
‫ي‬
‘ ’ and carries a , and the letter before that
carries either
(103:3)
﴾ ﴿
a fattah
or a dammah
(77:33)
﴾ ﴿

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TARQEEQ

Rule Example

1 When it carries a kasrah (101:2)

﴾ ﴿

When it carries a sukoon and is preceded by a

letter that carries an original kasrah in the ﴾ ﴿
2 (7:103)
same word, and a thick letter (ista’ala) doesn’t
follow it

When it carries a sukoon (as a result of

3 stopping) and is preceded by a ‫ي‬ (elongated or (100:11)

﴾ ﴿

otherwise), and the ‫ ي‬carries a sukoon

When it carries a sukoon (as a result of

stopping) and is preceded by a thin letter (89:5)
﴾ ﴿
4
(istifaal) that carries a sukoon, and the letter
before this carries a kasrah

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The Letter ‫'( ل‬Laam')

www.readwithtajweed.com /tajweed_letterLaam.htm

Like the letter 'ra', the letter 'laam' can also be pronounced as a thick / full mouth
(tafkheem) or thin (tarqeeq) letter.

Tafkheem

To produce this sound, the tongue elevates in the mouth producing a thick/
heavy sound.

2 categories:

1. The in the pronunciation of the name 'Allah' ‫ ﷲ‬, when it is preceded

by a fathah or Dammah

Examples

Extract from Verse Surah : Verse

fathah (112:1)

Dammah (110:1)

1. The in the pronunciation of the name 'Allah' ‫ ; ﷲ‬when it is preceded by a

sukoon , and the letter before that carries a fathah or
Dammah

Extract from Verse Surah : Verse

Dammah (2:185)

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Dammah (2:189)

CAUTION!

If the letter preceding the name 'Allah' ‫ ﷲ‬is a thin one, be careful not to
pronounce it thick as this can easily be done due to the letter laam being
pronounced thick

E.g (2:7)

The letter should be pronounced thin even though the laam is

being pronounced thick

Tarqeeq
To produce this sound, the back of the tongue lowers so that a flat sound
is produced

3 categories:

1. The in the pronunciation of the name 'Allah' ‫ ﷲ‬when it is preceded

by a kasra

E.g (85:8)

(82:19)

1. The in the pronunciation of the name 'Allah' ‫ ﷲ‬when it is preceded

by a sukoon, and this is preceded by a kasra
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E.g (3:144)

1. In all other instances

E.g (111:1)

(111:2)

(108:2)

Miscellaneous

When the letter preceding the name 'Allah' is a , the harakaat of the
letter preceding the will determine if the in Allah's name is pronounced
thick or thin

Extract from Verse Surah : Verse

Tafkheem (thick) (2:143)

Tarqeeq (thin) (3:86)

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The rules of the letter ‫ل‬

‫ﷲ‬ ‫) ل( لفظ الجالل‬

Heavy ‫تفخيم‬ Light ‫ترقيق‬

The letter ‫ ل‬in the word ‫ﷲ‬ The letter ‫ ل‬in the
is read heavily whenever word ‫ ﷲ‬is read lightly
we start with ‫ ﷲ‬or when it whenever it is
is preceded by dammah or preceded by kasrah.
fattah.

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The Rules of Meem Saakina

www.readwithtajweed.com /tajweed_letterMeem.htm

The rules of are called shafawee ( ‫ ) َﺷﻔﻮي‬as the makhraj of the is the lips
(shafatain = pair of lips)

Idghaam Shafawee
Example

Extract from Verse Surah : Verse Audio

(104:8)

(106:4)

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Ikhfaa Shafawee

Another opinion in which this particular ghunnah is recited, is that the lips should
remain slightly open, just enough as to allow a sheet of paper to pass through

Example

Extract from Verse Surah : Verse Audio

(105:4)

(88:22)

Ith-haar Shafawee

Example

Extract from Verse Surah : Verse Audio

(98:8)

(98:8)

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SUMMARY

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Three rules of ‫ْم‬

Idghaam Ith’haar
Shafawee Ikhfaa Shafawee
Shafawee

‫ْم‬ ‫م‬ ‫ْم‬ ‫ب‬ ‫ْم‬ All

• Always read • Read with letters except ‫م‬

with ghunnah ghunnah
and ‫ب‬
• Keep lips
slightly apart (as • Letters
narrow as the pronounced
width of a piece clearly(no
of paper) when ghunnah)
pronouncing ‫م‬ • Extra care must
be taken for
ith’haar of ‫ف‬, ‫و‬
as they belong
to the same or
very close
makhraj as ‫م‬

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Noon Saakin and Tanween

www.readwithtajweed.com /tajweed_noonSaakin.htm

A noon saakin ( ) and tanween are considered the same because the sound of
a tanween sounds just like a noon saakin. Because of this similarity, the two
take the same rules

Example

Ith'haar

To pronounce the letters from their makhraj, clearly and distinctly, without any
changes

Presence of or tanween
followed by any letter of the throat ‫ء ه ح خ ع غ‬

or tanween is pronounced clearly, there is no ghunnah

Examples
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Letter Extract from Verse Surah : Verse

(108:2)

(79:40)

(79:33)

(7:43)

(80:18)

(80:10)

TANWEEN

Letter Extract from Verse Surah : Verse

(101:11)

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(99:7)

(102:8)

(95:6)

(113:3)

(97:5)

Idghaam
The 6 letters of Idghaam are collected in the following word :

‫)ي ر م ل و ن( َﯾْﺮَﻣُﻠْﻮن‬

Two types of Idghaam :

1. Without ghunnah
2. With ghunnah

Idghaam without ghunnah

It is called the complete idghaam and its determining letters are and

Examples

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TANWEEN

Extract from Verse Surah : Extract from Verse Surah:

Verse Verse

(79:26) (104:1)

(101:7)

(81:25)

Idghaam with ghunnah

It is called the incomplete idghaam, and its four determining letters are collected
in the word

‫)ي م و ن( َﯾُﻣْﻮن‬

Presence of or tanween
followed by any of the following : ‫ي م و ن‬
ghunnah is pronounced, 2 counts

(this means that some of the sound will be heard as it is

incomplete blending or assimilation)

Examples

Letter Extract from Surah : Extract from Surah:

Verse Verse Verse Verse

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(99:7) (90:5)

(13:11) (13:34)

(111:5) (86:6)

(92:19) (14:11)

TANWEEN

Letter Extract from Surah : Extract from Surah:

Verse Verse Verse Verse

(89:23) (78:40)

(111:1) (106:4)

(111:5) (105:4)

(14:44) (2:58)

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NOTE

The rule of idghaam will be applied on a provided it is the last letter of the word.
If it appears in the middle of a word, then there will be no idghaam

There are only 4 such words in the entire Qur'an to which this rule applies

NB :

Tanween cannot appear in the middle of a word

Iqlaab
The changing of a sound from its original makhraj, in this case changing the or
tanween into a

Extract from Verse Surah : Verse

(98:4)

(104:4)

Ikhfaa
The concealment of the sound

Presence of or tanween
followed by any of the 15 remaining letters of the alphabet
These are

ghunnah is pronounced, 2 counts

(this ghunnah is slight, not too deep, unlike the idghaam and or)

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Method for pronouncing Ikhfaa

When an ikhfaa occurs, the makhraj of the or tanween is ignored and instead it
is pronounced at or near the makhraj of the letter of ikhfaa. Therefore, the
reader should make his tongue distant from the makhraj of the and close to the
makhraj of the letter of ikhfaa during ghunnah, ready to pronounce the letter of
Ikhfaa.

TANWEEN

Extract from Surah : Extract from Verse Surah:

Verse Verse Verse

(78:40) (92:14)

(101:6) (78:14)

(80:2) (89:20)

(91:10) (89:21)

(78:40) (90:14)

(78:14) (18:74)

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(79:35) (18:22)

(78:39) (78:12)

(94:7) (89:22)

(88:6) (30:54)

(79:37) (34:15)

(78:40) (4:57)

(78:18) (90:14)

(94:3) (78:40)

(81:28) (79:12)

NOTE

ghunnah can be pronounced as thick or thin depending on whether a thick or

thin letter follows.
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or tanween followed by thick letter = thick ghunnah

or tanween followed by thin letter = thin ghunnah

To pronounce the ghunnah thick, the mouth should be positioned as a dome

shape, and then ready to pronounce the thick letter

Example

Letter Type Extract from Verse Surah : Verse

Tafkheem (107:5)

(thick)

Tafkheem (98:3)

(thick)

Tarqeeq (2:9)

(thin)

Tarqeeq (2:10)

(thin)

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Idghaam
www.readwithtajweed.com /tajweed_Idghaam.htm

Idghaam (‫)ِإدﻏﺎم‬
Outside the rules of or Tanween, Idghaam can also occur in the Qur'an due to
certain circumstances as will be mentioned now in this section

Idghaam can be separated into 3 different categories:

Idghaam Mutamaathilain (Idghaam of 2 identical letters)

This occurs when 2 same letters are found together, the first is saakina and the
second is mutaharrik

As the 2 letters are the same, they therefore share the same makhraj and
sifaat
So the first letter is blended into the second, hence the second letter
takes a shaddah ( )

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This applies whether it is in one or two words (whether both letters fall
into the same word, or one letter falls at the end of the first word, and the
second letter falls into the start of the second word)

ghunnah is NOT pronounced (except for the letters and ,as

ghunnah is ALWAYS pronounced for these 2 letters when they carry a
shaddah)

Examples

(Surah:Verse) Extract from Verse

(24:33)

(2:16)

If the saakin letter is a letter of prolongation and is the last letter of a

word, then this letter will NOT be assimilated into the following same
letter (the mutahaarik one)

Examples

(Surah:Verse) Extract from Verse

(90:14)

Please note, Idghaam can either be complete or incomplete:

Complete – when there is absolutely NO trace of the saakin letter during

pronunciation, as is in this category of Idghaam Mutamaathilain.

Incomplete – when there is SOME trace of the saakin letter during

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pronunciation, as you can see in the examples below, and later.

Idghaam Mutajaanisain (Idghaam of Similarity)

Requirement :

This occurs when 2 letters have the same makhaarij, but different sifaat
The 1st letter is saakina, the 2nd is mutaharrik

Effect :

The 2nd letter takes a shaddah

Incomplete Idghaam or Complete Idghaam depending on the order of the
2 letters
The saakined letter is blended into the mutaharrik letter

Further Notes :

This idghaam occurs at 3 makhaarij:

1. The makhraj of

Complete Idghaam (no trace of the saakined letter)

1. The blended into the

2 letters of the SAME makhraj ( and is tip of tongue)

But DIFFERENT sifaat
1st letter is saakina
2nd letter is mutaharrik

Therefore, is not pronounced

(Surah:Verse) Extract from Verse

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(2:256)

1. The blended into the

2 letters of the SAME makhraj

But DIFFERENT sifaat
1st letter is saakina
2nd letter is mutaharrik

Therefore, is not pronounced

Example

(Surah:Verse) Extract from Verse

(10:89)

1. The blended into the

2 letters of the SAME makhraj (from the tip of the tongue)

But DIFFERENT sifaat
1st letter is saakina
2nd letter is mutaharrik

Therefore, is not pronounced

Example

(Surah:Verse) Extract from Verse

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(3:122)

Incomplete Idghaam

There is emergence of some of the sifaat of the first (saakined) letter

1. The blended into the

2 letters of the SAME makhraj

But DIFFERENT sifaat
1st letter is saakina
2nd letter is mutaharrik

The is incomplete so it will have some trace of its characteristics.

The thickness will remain but the qalqalah will go
These rules apply whether they are in the same word (as in this
example), or in two different words (as in the previous 2 examples)

Example

(Surah:Verse) Extract from Verse

(5:28)

2 letters of the SAME makhraj (tip of the tongue)

But DIFFERENT sifaat
1st letter is saakina
2nd letter is mutaharrik

Therefore, is not pronounced

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Example

(Surah:Verse) Extract from Verse

(4:64)

1. The blended into the

2 letters of the SAME makhraj (tip of tongue)

But DIFFERENT sifaat
1st letter is saakina
2nd letter is mutaharrik

Therefore, is not pronounced

Example

(Surah:Verse) Extract from Verse

(7:176)

1. The makhraj of

Complete Idghaam

1. The blended into the

2 letters of the SAME makhraj (lips)

But DIFFERENT sifaat
1st letter is saakina
2nd letter is mutaharrik
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Ghunnah is pronounced for 2 counts

Therefore, is not pronounced

Example

(Surah:Verse) Extract from Verse

(11:42)

Idghaam Mutaqaaribain (near, close)

This idghaam occurs when 2 letters have a makhraj that are close together
(whereas the previous 2 idghaam shared the same makhaarij)

This Idghaam occurs at 2 makhaarij, but carry different sifaat

1. The makhraj of

Complete Idghaam

1. the blended into the

2 letters of a CLOSE makhraj (side and tip of tongue)

And carry DIFFERENT sifaat
1st letter is saakina
2nd letter is mutaharrik

Therefore, is not pronounced

Example

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(Surah:Verse) Extract from Verse

(18:22)

1. The makhraj of the

The following example can be pronounced either way, incomplete

or complete

Incomplete Idghaam

1. The blended into the

the possesses 2 main sifaat, but the ista'ala remains

and the qalqalah qoes

Example

(Surah:Verse) Extract from Verse

(77:20)

Complete Idghaam

1. The blended into the

the is blended completely (nothing remains of it), and

the gets a shaddah
this is an exception of a thick letter being blended into a
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thin letter, which is why it can be pronounced either way
although both ways of recitation are correct, the complete
idghaam is preferred

Example

(Surah:Verse) Extract from Verse

(77:20)

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The Rules of Madd

www.readwithtajweed.com /tajweed_RulesOfMadd.htm

Madd means to prolong the sound of a vowel. The minimum prolongation of a

vowel is to the measure of two vowels (2 counts), which is equal to the measure
of one alif.

NATURAL MADD (‫)ﻣﺪ ﻃﺒﯿﻌﻲ‬

This is pronounced from the jawf, for two counts

Madd Letter (Surah:Verse) Extract from Verse

(79:8)

(79:15)

(79:15)

ALL THE OTHER MADD ARE BUILT ON THIS BASIC / NATURAL MADD
RULE, DEPENDING ON WHAT COMES AFTER IT

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Madd Caused by Hamza

www.readwithtajweed.com /tajweed_MaddHamza.htm

These are of two types :

Mutasil Waajib ‫( ﻣﺪ ﻣﺘﺼﻞ واﺟﺐ‬Obligatory connected Madd)

Munfasil Jaa'iz ‫( ﻣﺪ ﻣﻨﻔﺼﻞ ﺟﺎﺋﺰ‬Permitted separate Madd)

Mutasil Waajib
Requirements :

Natural Madd letter

Followed by a hamza (‫ )ء‬in the same (‫ )ﻣﺘﺼﻞ‬word

Effect :

The sound is elongated by 4 or 5 counts obligatory (‫)واﺟﺐ‬

Further Notes :

If recitation is stopped , it is elongated 4, 5 or 6 counts

Examples

Madd Letter (Surah:Verse) Extract from Verse

(110:1)

(13:25)

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(89:23)

Munfasil Jaa'iz

Requirements :

Natural Madd letter

Followed by a hamza (‫ )ء‬in the next/separate (‫ )ﻣﻨﻔﺼﻞ‬word

Effect :

The sound is elongated by 4 or 5 counts

However, according to the way of Tayyibah outlined by Imam Ibn Al-
Jazaree in An-Nashr, it is permissable to shorten it to 2 counts, hence its
name 'jaa'iz'
( ‫) ﺟﺎ ﺋ ﺰ‬

Examples

Madd Letter (Surah:Verse) Extract from Verse

(108:1)

(66:6)

(106:4)

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Exercise - Identify the Munfasil Jaa'iz Madd, then click on 'answer'

NB :

For non-arabic speaking people, it may not always be clear as to whether the
hamzah is part of the first word, or the second

E.g.
(2:21)

The right hand side is how it will appear in the Qur'an, the left hand side is the
make-up of this.

It seems that the hamzah is part of the first word, when actually it is part of the
second. Therefore, as a general rule, it may be safer for such people who are
not 100% sure to remain consistent with their counts for both mutasil and
munfasil - i.e choose the same length of elongation for both, either the 4 or 5
counts.

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Madd caused / followed by a sukoon () or shaddah ()

www.readwithtajweed.com /tajweed_MaddSukoon.htm

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MADD 'AARID LI SUKOON

This occurs when there is a sukoon placed on a letter by the reader due to
stopping in the recitation (whether in the middle or end of an ayah)

Requirement :

Natural madd letter

Followed by a sukoon (as the reader has chosen to stop on it)

Although this will not be actually visible in the Qur'an, but is

implied as the reader has chosen to stop on it.

Effect :

Elongate 2, 4 or 6 counts
Preferred 4 or 6

Examples

Madd Letter (Surah:Verse) Extract from Verse

(89:11)

(95:6)

(95:7)

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Madd Leen

This occurs when a word contains a dipthong, and the reader chooses to stop
on it (whether in the middle or end of an ayah), therefore placing a sukoon () on
the last letter

Requirement :

Madd letter
Followed by a sukoon (and the reader has chosen to stop on it)

Although this will not be actually visible in the Qur'an, but is

implied as the reader has chosen to stop on it.

Effect :

Elongate 2, 4 or 6 counts
Preferred is 4

Examples

Madd Letter (Surah:Verse) Extract from Verse

(106:1)

(106:4)

Madd Laazim

Requirement :

Natural madd letter

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Followed by sukoon or shaddah

Effect :

Shaddah is included as it represents a doubled letter: the 1st letter is

saakin; and the 2nd is mutaharrik
Elongate 6 counts
Laazim means 'obligatory', so it must be elongated for 6 counts

Madd Laazim is of two types : Kalimee (word) and Harfee (letter)

Madd Laazim Kalimee

The obligatory (laazim) madd that is present in a word (kalimee)

Requirement :

Natural madd letter

Followed by sukoon or shaddah
In a word

Heavy : When a SHADDAH () follows the madd letter in a word

Examples

(Surah:Verse) Extract from Verse

(1:7)

(80:33)

Light : when a SUKOON () follows the madd letter in a word

Example

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(Surah:Verse) Extract from Verse

(10:51)

Madd Laazim Harfee

The obligatory (laazim) madd that is present in a letter (harfee)

This occurs in some of the letters that are present at the beginning of
certain surahs
These surahs begin with some independent letters from the Arabic
alphabet, which are attached to each other like ordinary words. The
individual letters have to be pronounced by reading out their respective
names.

E.g.

The length of each letters' prolongation will be determined by the Madd

rule inherent within the spelling of it
The difference of the length of its prolongation is determined by the
number of letters that are used to spell the name of that particular letter
So these madd can contain either three, two or one letter

The three lettered Madd laazim harfee

Requirement :

These letters are the ones that are spelt with 3 letters and their middle
letters are either madd or leen letters

Effect :

Elongate 6 counts
These letters are:

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Madd Spelling Surah Madd Spelling Surah

Letter (Madd/Leen) No. Letter (Madd/Leen) No.

68

26

50 2

38 19

19 26

Further Notes :

The letter that has a dipthong (leen) is the spelling of the word ()

This occurs in the 2 surahs

Surah Maryam (19)

Surah Ash-shura (42)

According to the Shaatibiyyah way it is lengthened 4 or 6 counts

Imam Shatabi said 'the has 2 possible pronunciations and

the longer is preferred' - 6 counts

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However, according to the way of Tayyaba, it would be only 2
counts

Heavy : when there is a letter of Idghaam after one of the 3 lettered words

EXAMPLE 1

(Surah 2)

Pronounce Ghunnah

In this example, we can see :

EXAMPLE 2

(Surah 26)

Pronounce Gunnah

In this example, we can see :

Light : when there is NO letter of idghaam after one of the 3 lettered words, but
the letter is still elongated for 6 counts

The two lettered Madd laazim harfee

The letters that are spelt with 2 letters (occur in the opening verses of
some surahs) produce the natural prolongation of 2 counts

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These letters are:

Letter Spelling Surah No.

20

19

10

40

19

One lettered Madd Laazim Harfee

One letter that doesn't take a madd at all is the alif, and this is due to
there being no madd letters in the spelling of it

(Surah 2)

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Madd caused / followed by other things

www.readwithtajweed.com /tajweed_MaddOthers.htm

Madd Sila
This occurs when the possessive pronoun (shown as when attached to the
previous letter), which denotes the 3rd person singular masculine, falls between
2 letters that carry a vowel.

Two types: Major (‫ )ﮐﺒﺮى‬and Minor (‫)ﺻﻐﺮى‬

MAJOR

Requirements :

The possessive pronoun

Followed by hamzah ( ) mutaharrik

Effect :

Elongate 2, 4 or 5 counts
Preferred 4 or 5

Further Notes :

Preferred elongation is 4 or 5 to illustrate that it is not the natural madd of

just 2 counts

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Those who have no or little knowledge of the Arabic language may not
understand the usage of the possessive pronoun which basically
refers to the third person singular masculine. A tiny / will be
present to indicate this rule

The presence of a squiggly line indicates that it is preferred that the reader
elongates it for more than 2 counts

If the carries a dammah ( ), will be present

If the carries a kasra ( ), will be present

Examples

(Surah: Extract from Verse (Surah: Extract from Verse

Verse) Verse)

(104:3)

(90:7)

(83:12) (12:54)

MINOR

Requirements :

The possessive pronoun

Followed by any letter other than hamzah ( )

Effect :

Elongate 2 counts only

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Further Notes :

A tiny / will be present , but this time there will be no squiggly

line as its elongation is for only 2 counts, which is the same as the natural
madd

Examples

(Surah: Extract from Verse Extract from Verse

Verse)

(92:18)

(92:19)

(100:4) (100:5)

EXCEPTIONS TO THE RULE OF MADD SILA

There are 4 instances in the Qur'an where the rules of MADD SILA will not
apply.

1. Surah Al Furqan (25:69)

Hafs lengthens it even though the letter preceding the

'ha' is saakin, and not mutaharrik

2. Surah Zumar (39:7)

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﴾﴿

The 'ha' is not elongated, even though it is

between 2 letters that are mutaharrik

3. Surah Naml (27:28)

﴾﴿

Hafs reads it with a sukoon ( ) on the 'ha'. As it

carries a , it would probably be read this way
anyway

4. Surah Ash-Shura (26:36)

﴾﴿

Hafs reads it with a sukoon ( ) on the 'ha'.

As it carries a , it would probably be read
this way anyway

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Madd Badal

This Madd follows the same principal as a normal madd; the difference being
that the madd letter is a substitute for what was originally a hamzah.

Requirements :

It occurs when the letter preceding it is also hamzah

Effect :

Elongate 2 counts

Further Notes :

The original form of these words was but a long vowel replaced the second
hamzah for ease in pronunciation.

Examples

‫ ِإْإﻣﺎن‬- (3:193)

‫أَْأدم‬ - (2:31)

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Madd 'Ewad

An alif which carries 2 fathahs ,is called fathahtain, and is written as ً‫ا‬

Requirements :

This madd occurs when the reader stops on the fathahtain ( )

(For further information on stopping at tanween, refer to 'Rules of Waqf')

Effect :

Instead of pronouncing nunnation, the reader stops as though there is a

natural madd with a
So it is like taking one of the off and being left with 1 fathah and an
alif i.e. Natural madd
Elongate 2 counts

Further Notes :

This applies whether stopping in the middle or end of an ayah

However, if the letter is a ta marbutta ( ) , then the rule of madd 'ewad
will not apply. Instead, it is pronounced like carrying a , in
which case the sifa of hems (continuation of breath) will be applied

E.g

‫ﺔ‬َ‫َﺟﻨ‬ pronounced as ‫َﺟﻨَّْﻪ‬

Examples

(Surah: Extract from Verse (Surah: Extract from Verse

Verse) Verse)

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(100:1)

(100:2)

Madd Al-Farq

This occurs in only 3 words in the Qur'an, each word appearing in 2

different places as the table below shows
Elongate 6 counts

(Surah:Verse) Extract from Verse

(10:59)

(27:59)

(6:143)

(6:144)

(10:51)

(10:90)

NB It is actually a madd laazim kalimee, yet it is called farq as it differentiates

between the word and the question indicator

Madd Tamkeen

Requirements :

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When there is a carrying a and

Followed by 'Yaa' of elongation

Effect :

This will tighten the kasra ( ) on the

Elongate 2 counts

Examples

(Surah:Verse) Extract from Verse

(4:86)

(2:61)

the replaces the 2nd Yaa

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The Rules of Stopping (Waqf)

Definition

'To stop on the last letter of a complete w ord, which is disconnected from the w ord after it, and giving the last
letter a sukoon and by breaking the breath, then taking a new breath to read the next w ord.'

(Jami-ul-w aqaf)

The proper way to stop in a word is by putting a on the last

letter of the word. If there is a harakah ( ) or tanween (

) on the last letter of a word before a stop, that letter is made into a sukoon

E.g

will be
(112:1) read
as

The last word will be read 'ahad' and not 'ahadun'

If it is a tanween then the last word is pronounced as an alif

E.g

(78:16) will be read as

W ill be read 'al faa faa' and not 'al faa fan'

If the last letter is a 'taa marbutah' ( ), it is read as 'ha' ( )

E.g

(88:5) will be read as

W ill be read 'aa-niah' and not 'aa-niatin'

If the last letter of a word contains a 'hamzah' ( ), the harakah on

the hamzah is changed into a sukoon ( ), and the hamzah is read clearly. A common mistake
when stopping at a hamzah is not to indicate the presence of the hamzah at all

E.g

will be
(14:24)
read as

will be
(7:156)
read as

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If the last letter of a word contains a 'tashdeed' ( ), the mashaddad letter is changed into a saakin letter, BUT making
sure the tashdeed is still read i.e. by spending more time on the letter

(refer to Shaddah )

will be read
(111:1)
as

(but without the

qalqalah)

(78:39)

(but without the

qalqalah)

NB remember to tighten / emphasize the saakin letter so to differentiate from an ordinary saakin letter

A waqf is only correct if breath is taken before reading the

following word. To read the last letter as sukoon ( ) and not to renew the breath is incorrect.
The opposite of waqf is known as 'wasl'. Wasl means to join verses / sentences without stopping.

Different letters / symbols are placed to indicate compulsory stops, recommended stops, better to read on, and other such
commands:

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NB remember to tighten / emphasize the saakin letter so to differentiate from an ordinary saakin letter

A waqf is only correct if breath is taken before reading the

following word. To read the last letter as sukoon ( ) and not to renew the breath is incorrect.
The opposite of waqf is known as 'wasl'. Wasl means to join verses / sentences without stopping.

Different letters / symbols are placed to indicate compulsory stops, recommended stops, better to
read on, and other such commands:

ۢ The compulsory stop ­ we have to stop, wasl is prohibited

ۙ The prohibited stop ­ we can not stop

ۖ The good stop ­ it is better to continue, but stopping is
allowed

ۗ The sufficient stop ­ it is better to stop

ۚ The quality stop ­ it is the same to stop or continue

ۜ The subtle stop/pause ­ stop vocal sound for a brief time,
without taking breath

‫۝‬ Necessary stop ­ denotes end of sentence

Stopping at either of the points but not at both

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Finishing Touches
www.readwithtajweed.com /tajweed_finishing.htm

Supplication to begin reading

At-ta'awwuth (‫)َﺗَﻌّﻮذ‬
You must always begin a recitation with the ta'awwuth

'I seek refuge in Allah from the rejected

shaitaan'

Allah ( ) says in the Qur'an

'So when you recite the Quran, seek

refuge with Allah from the shaitaan,
the outcast (cursed one)'

Surah An Nahl (16:98)

It can be said quietly or aloud when one is reading alone, but if reading
in a group, the first will say it aloud and then the other readers should say
it quietly before their recitation

Basmala (‫)َﺑْﺴَﻤﻠَﻪ‬
'In the Name of Allah, Most Beneficient, Most
Merciful'

If one begins the recitation at the beginning of a

surah, the reader should say the Basmala (as part of the surah), but if the
reader starts in the middle of the surah, the reader has a choice of saying
the Basmala after the ta'awwuth or just saying the ta'awwuth
It is obligatory in Surah Al- Fatihah according to the Shafi'i school
According to all, it is not said in the beginning of Surah At-Taubah - Surah
9 (it is not written)

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Rules of reciting the Basmala between two surahs

COMPLETE SEPARATION

Not joining the end of the previous surah with the basmala of the next surah and
not joining the basmala with the words of that surah. The reader would not stop
at each of these points

PARTIAL SEPARATION

Stopping at the end of the surah, but then joining the basmala with the
beginning of the next surah

The opposite of this: joining the end of the surah with the basmala of the next
surah and then stopping, and then beginning the next surah by itself, is
FORBIDDEN

COMPLETE CONNECTION

Connecting everything together, the end of the previous surah with the basmala
and also the basmala with the beginning of the following surah

NB For Surah Taubah, you either stop at the end of the previous surah or join
onto the first ayah of Surah Taubah. There is no partial connection option as
there is no basmala

The seven kinds of Alif

This applies only when the alif is the last letter of the word
The following uses of Alif are affirmed upon stopping and omitted upon a
continuous reading :

1. Alif in ‫أَﻧْﺎ‬

This means 'I' in the English language. The alif is always omitted due to
not stressing the individual but focussing on Allah the Most High, and not
ones self or nafs

Therefore, the alif in ‫ ْأَﻧﺎ‬is never recited whether continuing to recite, or if

stopping

For the following 6 Alifs, the Alif is again omitted when continuing to recite, but
when stopping it is elongated 2 counts. This applies whether stopping in the

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middle or end of an ayah.

1. Alif in Surah Al-Kahf (18:38)

﴾﴿

2. Alif in Surah Al-Ahzab (33:10)

﴾﴿

3. Alif in Surah Al-Ahzab (33:66)

﴾﴿

4. Alif in Surah Al-Ahzab (33:67)

﴾﴿

5. Alif in Suratul Insaan (76:16)

﴾﴿

6. Alif in Suratul Insaan (76:4)

﴾﴿

It is permissible in the case of stopping on the word to stop

on the , which then takes a .

Omit the Alif / Madd and say

Thus there are 2 possibilities in the case of stopping :

1. To stop at the laam saakina without an alif after it

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2. To stop on the alif after the laam

above / below the letter

The following should help :

In both the verses below, the reader should read the letter . The
letter should NOT be read even though it is written there

1. ﴾﴿
2. ﴾﴿

In the following verse, the reader has the OPTION of reading

either the or

﴾﴿

In the verse below the reader should only read

the letter . The should NOT be read

﴾﴿

Note: It is advisable that a note be made of this in your

personal Qur'an so the correct letter is read whilst
reciting these verses without any unnecessary confusion.

(source: Ahsan-ut-Tajweed. Mufti Muhammad Noman Daji (Al-Qaasmi)

Moulana Ilyas Kola)

Prostration during Recitation

There are fourteen verses in the Qur'aan where prostration is to be performed

during recitation. These verses are :

No. Extract from Verse Surah : Verse

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1 (7:206)

2 (13:15)

3 (16:49)

4 (17:107)

5 (19:58)

6 (22:18)

7 (25:60)

8 (27:25)

9 (32:15)

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10 (38:24)

11 (41:37)

12 (53:62)

13 (84:21)

14 (96:19)

LAHN

What is Lahn ( ‫?)ﻟﺤﻦ‬

The word lahn literally means 'incorrect pronunciation'. In the Science of

Tajweed, lahn can be described as:

'Failing to adhere to the rules of Tajweed whilst reciting the

Qur'an'

There are 2 types of lahn:

1. Jalee (‫)ﺟﻠﻲ‬- major or obvious

2. Khafee (‫)ﺧﻔﻲ‬- minor or not obvious

To recite the Qur'an whilst being guilty of Lahney Jalee is haraam and to do so

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intentionally can plunge into the act of a major in, so much that it can lead one to
the brink of kufr. Whereas to commit Lahney Khafee is makrooh (undesirable,
not commendable).

Lahney Jalee

1. Not to pronounce the letters from their correct origins and their respective
qualities

E.g

To recite ‫أَْﻟَﺤْﻤُﺪ‬ as ‫أَْﻟَﻬْﻤُﺪ‬

To recite ‫ﯾَِﺮُث‬ as ‫ﯾَِﺮُس‬

To recite ‫َﻃْﯿًﺮ‬ as ‫ﺗَْﯿًﺮ‬

To recite ‫ﺻَﺪَق‬
َ as ‫ﺻَﺪَك‬
َ

To recite ‫أَْﻧَﻌْﻤَﺖ‬ as ‫أَْﻧﺌَْﻤَﺖ‬

1. To make any addition to the words

E.g

To recite ‫إَِﯾﱠﺎك‬ as ‫إِﱠﯾﺎﻛﺎ‬

To recite ‫أَْﻋُﺒُﺪ‬ as ‫أَْﻋُﺒُﺪْو‬

To recite ‫َر ِّب‬ as ‫رِﺑّْﻲ‬

1. To make omissions

E.g

To recite ‫إَِﻧّﺎ‬ as ‫إِ َّن‬

To recite ‫اَﻟﱢﺬْي‬ as ‫اَﻟﱢﺬ‬

To recite ‫َﻓُﻘْﻮﻻ‬ as ‫َﻓُﻘَﻼ‬

1. To replace a Harakah (dammah, fathah, kasrah) with a sukoon

E.g
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To recite ‫َﺧﻠََﻘَﻚ‬ as ‫َﺧﻠَْﻘَﻚ‬

To recite ‫َﺳَﺮَق‬ as ‫َﺳْﺮَق‬

To recite ‫ﻟََﻬٍﺐ‬ as ‫ﻟَْﻬٍﺐ‬

1. To replace a sukoon with a harakah

E.g

To recite ‫أَْوﺣﻰ‬ as ‫أََوﺣﻰ‬

To recite ‫َواْﻟَﻔْﺠِﺮ‬ as ‫َواْﻟَﻔَﺠِﺮ‬

To recite ‫ﺗَْﺠِﺮْي‬ as ‫ﺗََﺠِﺮْي‬

Lahney Khafee

Reading the Qur'an whilst being guilty of Lahney Khafee is makrooh. It does not
necessarily alter the meaning of the Qur'an. However, it does deprive the Holy
Qur'an of its real elegance and beauty.

EXAMPLES OF LAHNEY KHAFEE:

1. To overlook the rules of the thick / full mouth (tafkheem) letters and the
thin / empty mouth (tarqeeq) letters.
2. Not to adhere to the rules of ith'har, idghaam and ikhfaa in their
respective places whilst reciting the Qur'an.
3. Not to prolong a letter when a Madd is present

(soure: Basic Tajweed for Primary Madris. Shaykh Hasib Ahmed Ibn Yusuf
Mayet)

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Rules of reciting Basmala between two surahs

Complete connection

Surah Basmala Surah

An- Al-
Naas Falaq

Partial separation

Basmala
Surah
Surah
Al-
An-
Falaq
Naas

Complete separation

Surah Basmala Surah

An- Al-
Naas Falaq

NOTE: NOT ALLOWED

Basmala
Surah Surah
An- Al-
Naas Falaq

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Mistakes in Qura’nic Recitation

‫لحن‬

‫خفي‬
‫جلي‬

• Means that the error is clear and Means hidden error. For instance,
obvious like the sun. This error this refers to errors, which may
can be caught both by the occur in Ikhfaa ‫إخفاء‬, Iqlaab
listener and reader. It is sinful to ‫إقالب‬, Idghaam ‫ إدغام‬etc. This
commit such an error. error is not very obvious and may
For example: be caught only by those who have
knowledge in Tajweed.

The reader changes the actual
vowel ( ‫ )حركة‬in reading, such
as reading fattah as dammah
or vice versa;

The reader does not pronounce

the letter from its proper
makhraj, such as reading ‫ ز‬as
‫;ظ‬

The reader does not give the

Madd its complete right (i.e.
does not stretch the word
appropriately).

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