How To Read Quran With Tajweed

How to Read Quran with Tajweed: A Step-by-Step Guide to Beautiful and Accurate Recitation

This comprehensive guide will walk you through the essential steps and fundamental rules on how to read Quran with Tajweed, helping you transform your recitation into a truly beautiful and rewarding experience.

If you are a beginner looking for a clear path, or an advanced student seeking to refine your recitation, the journey to mastering Tajweed starts here.

At Buruj Academy, we dedicate ourselves to providing accessible, high-quality online Tajweed courses. These courses guide you from the very basics to professional-level fluency.

 

Contact Us For More Details

 

How to Read Quran with Tajweed

The Quran is not just a book to be read; it is a divine message to be recited, revered, and understood. For Muslims worldwide, the act of reciting the Holy Quran is a profound spiritual experience, a direct conversation with the Creator. To truly fulfill the sanctity and beauty of this act, one must adhere to the rules of Tajweed.

 

How to Read Quran with Tajweed?

Tajweed, an Arabic word literally meaning “to perfect” or “to beautify,” is the science of reciting the Quran correctly. It is a set of rules that governs the pronunciation of every letter, the points of articulation, the duration of vowels, and the proper stops and starts. Without Tajweed, the meaning of a word can inadvertently change, which is why mastering these rules is an obligation (Fard Kifayah) for the Muslim Ummah and a highly virtuous act for every individual reciter.

 

Check out Buruj Academy’s Quran courses today!

 

How to Read Quran with Tajweed: Why Tajweed is Not Optional

Many new learners wonder if Tajweed is too complicated or only for advanced reciters. The truth is, the Quran requires recitation in this fundamental way, a practice based directly on the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

• Preserving the Revelation: The rules of Tajweed ensure the Quran is recited exactly as it was revealed to the Prophet. It preserves the Arabic language and prevents linguistic errors.
• Preventing Errors in Meaning: Even a slight mispronunciation of a single letter or a change in a short vowel’s length (Madd) can dramatically change the meaning of a word, which is why accuracy is paramount.
• Spiritual Reward: When you recite the Quran with correct Tajweed, Allah ($\text{SWT}$) rewards you immensely, as your effort demonstrates reverence and diligence toward His word.

Our Tajweed for Beginners course is the perfect starting point to build this crucial foundation.

 

Step 1: Mastering the Arabic Alphabet and Makharij al-Huruf

Before attempting to connect words, you must first master the building blocks: the individual letters and their precise exit points.

 

A. Learn the Arabic Alphabet (Alif to Yaa)

The Arabic alphabet consists of 28 letters. While most of them are relatively easy, there are a few that have no direct equivalent in English and require careful attention.

 

B. The Science of Makharij al-Huruf (Points of Articulation)

This is the most critical foundation of Tajweed. Makharij (singular: Makhraj) are the exact points in the mouth, throat, or nose where the sound of an Arabic letter is produced. There are five main areas of articulation, which include 17 specific points:

1. Al-Jawf (The Empty Space): This includes the empty space of the mouth and throat and is where the letters of Madd (prolongation) originate.
2. Al-Halq (The Throat): Divided into three parts (deep, middle, and top), this is the articulation point for six letters, including:
   • From the deepest part: $\text{ء}$ (Hamzah) and $\text{ه}$ (Haa’)
   • From the middle part: $\text{ع}$ (‘Ayn) and $\text{ح}$ (Haa)
   • From the nearest part: $\text{غ}$ (Ghayn) and $\text{خ}$ (Khaa’)
3. Al-Lisan (The Tongue): This is the most complex area, home to 10 articulation points for 18 letters. For example, letters like $\text{ق}$ (Qaf – the deepest part of the tongue) and $\text{ل}$ (Lam – the sides of the tongue) are produced here.
4. Ash-Shafataan (The Two Lips): This is the point for $\text{ب}$ (Baa’), $\text{م}$ (Meem), $\text{و}$ (Waw), and $\text{ف}$ (Faa’).
5. Al-Khayshoom (The Nasal Cavity): This is the place for all the nasal sounds, known as Ghunnah, which we will discuss later.

Practical Tip: To feel the Makhraj, pronounce the letter with a Sukoon (silent) preceded by an Alif with a Fatha. For example, say “أَبْ” (ab) to feel the Makhraj of the letter $\text{ب}$ (Baa’) on your lips.

 

Step 2: Understanding Sifaat al-Huruf (Qualities of the Letters)

Once you know where a letter comes from, you need to know how it sounds. Sifaat (singular: Sifah) are the specific qualities or characteristics of the letters. These qualities distinguish letters that share the same Makhraj (e.g., $\text{ت}$ Taa’ and $\text{ط}$ Taa’, which both use the tongue).

The Sifaat are broadly divided into two categories:

 

A. Sifaat that have Opposites:

These include qualities like:

• Hams (Whispering) vs. Jahr (Clarity): Determines whether the breath flows freely (Hams) or is restricted (Jahr).
• Shiddah (Strength/Stoppage of Sound) vs. Rakhawah (Softness/Flow of Sound): Determines how quickly the sound stops when the letter is pronounced.
• Isti’la (Elevation) vs. Istifal (Lowering): This is crucial. Isti’la letters, known as the Heavy Letters (like $\text{خ, ص, ض, غ, ط, ق, ظ}$), are pronounced with the back of the tongue raised towards the palate, giving them a full, heavy sound. All other letters are Istifal (light). Correctly applying tafkheem (heaviness) and tarqeeq (lightness) is essential for accurate recitation.

 

B. Sifaat that have No Opposites:

These are unique qualities like Safir (whistle sound, for $\text{ص, ز, س}$), Qalqalah (echoing/vibration sound, for $\text{ق, ط, ب, ج, د}$), and Inhiraf (slanting, for $\text{ل, ر}$).

Key Takeaway: Correctly pronouncing the Heavy Letters is a major step on how to read Quran with Tajweed proficiently.

 

Step 3: Mastering the Rules of Noon Sakinah and Tanween

The most elaborate set of rules in Tajweed revolves around the Noon Sakinah (a $\text{ن}$ with a Sukoon) and Tanween (the double vowel signs: $ـٌ$, $ـٍ$, $ـً$). These rules determine how the sound of $\text{ن}$ is pronounced when followed by different letters, often involving the nasal sound (Ghunnah).

There are four primary rules:

1. Izhar Halqi (Clear Pronunciation): Occurs when Noon Sakinah or Tanween is followed by one of the six Throat Letters ($\text{ء, ه, ع, ح, غ, خ}$). The $\text{ن}$ sound is pronounced clearly with no Ghunnah (nasal sound).
2. Idgham (Merging): Occurs when followed by one of the six letters of Yarmaloon ($\text{ي, ر, م, ل, و, ن}$). The $\text{ن}$ sound is merged with the following letter. It is divided into two types:
   • With Ghunnah: Merging with a nasal sound for $\text{ي, م, و, ن}$ (letters of Yumna).
   • Without Ghunnah: Merging without a nasal sound for $\text{ر, ل}$.
3. Iqlab (Conversion): Occurs when followed by the letter $\text{ب}$ (Baa’). The $\text{ن}$ sound is converted into a light $\text{م}$ (Meem) sound, accompanied by a two-harakah Ghunnah.
4. Ikhfa Haqiqi (True Concealment): Occurs when followed by one of the remaining 15 letters. The $\text{ن}$ sound is concealed or hidden, and a two-harakah Ghunnah is made. The concealment must be made at the Makhraj of the following letter.

Important Note on Ghunnah: Ghunnah is a nasal sound that is obligatory for Ikhfa, Iqlab, and Idgham with Ghunnah. The length of the Ghunnah is always two harakah.

 

Step 4: The Art of Madd (Elongation) – How to Read Quran with Tajweed

We discussed Madd briefly in the SEO article, but its correct application is crucial for the rhythm and beauty of Quranic recitation. Madd is the elongation of a vowel sound (Fatha, Dammah, or Kasrah) by two, four, or six harakah.

The primary rules of Madd include:

• Madd Asli (Natural Madd): The fundamental elongation of two harakah.
• Madd Far’i (Secondary Madd): The longer elongations (four, five, or six harakah) caused by a Hamzah or a Sukoon. Mastering the difference between Madd Muttasil (obligatory, same word) and Madd Munfasil (permissible, separate words) is key to professional recitation.
• Madd Lazim (Compulsory Madd): The longest elongation of six harakah, essential for a few specific words in the Quran.

Learning to maintain a consistent harakah count for all these rules requires practice and supervision from a certified teacher. Our Quran Recitation courses focus heavily on applying these rhythm rules correctly.

 

Step 5: Advanced Tajweed Rules and Application

Once the foundational rules are solid, you can move on to more advanced and nuanced areas:

• Rules of Ra’ (ر): Knowing when the letter $\text{ر}$ is pronounced heavy (tafkheem) or light (tarqeeq). This is determined by the vowel on the $\text{ر}$ itself or the vowel on the letter preceding it.
• Rules of Laam in Allah’s Name (ل): The $\text{ل}$ in the name of Allah ($\text{الله}$) is pronounced heavy if it is preceded by a Fatha ($ـَ$) or a Dammah ($ـُ$), and light if preceded by a Kasrah ($ـِ$).
• Waqf and Ibtida (Stopping and Starting): Knowing where to pause (Waqf) and where to resume (Ibtida) is vital. There are specific signs in the Quran that indicate permissible, obligatory, or recommended stopping points. Stopping at the wrong place can break the meaning of the verse.

 

The Path to Mastery: Practice and Personal Guidance

Understanding the rules on paper is only half the battle. The true mastery of how to read Quran with Tajweed comes through consistent practice and receiving feedback from a qualified teacher.

1. Listen and Imitate: Listen to renowned Qur’an reciters (like Shaykh Al-Husary, Shaykh Minshawi, or Shaykh Abdul Basit). Focus not just on their voice, but on the precision of their pronunciation, the length of their Madd, and the clarity of their Ghunnah.
2. Practice Slowly and Consistently: Recite slowly, focusing on one rule at a time. Speed comes naturally after accuracy is achieved. Dedicate a fixed amount of time every day, even if it’s only 15 minutes.
3. Seek a Certified Teacher: Tajweed is an oral tradition. You must have a teacher correct your mistakes, as you cannot hear your own errors. At Buruj Academy, our one-on-one online Tajweed classes provide the dedicated, personalized attention you need. Our instructors have Ijazah (certification) and years of experience guiding students globally.

 

Start Your Journey with Buruj Academy – How to Read Quran with Tajweed

Are you ready to truly elevate your connection with the Quran? Buruj Academy offers a range of specialized courses designed to meet you at every level of your journey:

• For those new to the Arabic alphabet: Explore our Arabic Online Lessons for Kids and adults.
• For those memorizing the Quran: Our structured Online Hifz Program is guided by expert Huffaz.
• For those seeking deeper understanding: Enroll in our Quran Tafsir Online courses, including the comprehensive Surah Al-Baqarah Tafseer course.

 

Join our growing community of learners and stay connected for valuable insights and updates.

Follow us on Facebook, subscribe to our educational videos on YouTube, and get daily inspiration on Instagram.

 

Don’t let the complexity of Tajweed hold you back. The journey of a thousand recitations begins with a single correct letter. Contact Us today to schedule your first class and take the most important step in your spiritual life.