Introduction to the Science of Tajwīd

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First: Definition of the Science of Tajweed:

Tajweed is the science that teaches the correct pronunciation of Arabic letters by articulating each letter from its proper articulation point and giving it its permanent and temporary characteristics.

The permanent characteristics of a letter are its permanent qualities that never separate from it, such as audibility, strength, elevation, lowering, compression, and vibration. These will be explained later, InshAllah.

The temporary characteristics are those that apply in some contexts and not others, such as thickening and thinning, clarity, merging, concealment, prolongation, and shortening. These will be detailed later, InshAllah.

Second: Subject of the Science of Tajweed:

The science of Tajweed deals with the Qur'anic words in terms of correct pronunciation, articulating them from their correct points, and giving them permanent and temporary characteristics.

Third: Benefits of the Science of Tajweed:

The benefits of Tajweed appear to those who master it in two aspects:

The benefits of Tajweed appear to those who master it in two aspects:
Theoretical aspect: Knowing the rules that govern correct performance, thus preserving recitation from confusion and distortion.

Fourth: Virtue of Reciting and Perfecting the Qur’an:

The science of Tajweed is among the most honorable and best sciences, as it relates to the words of Allah and their proper performance, as taught by Gabriel (peace be upon him) to our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, and as the Prophet ﷺ taught it to his nation. Several verses and hadiths highlight the virtue of reciting the Qur'an with Tajweed, including:

In the Holy Qur’an:
- Perfecting recitation is among the best deeds, as it fulfills Allah’s command: ﴿أَوۡ زِدۡ عَلَيۡهِ وَرَتِّلِ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانَ تَرۡتِيلًا﴾ [Al-Muzzammil: 4]
- Reciting the Qur’an leads to success in this world and the Hereafter: ﴿إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَتۡلُونَ كِتَٰبَ ٱللَّهِ وَأَقَامُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَأَنفَقُواْ مِمَّا رَزَقۡنَٰهُمۡ سِرّٗا وَعَلَانِيَةٗ يَرۡجُونَ تِجَٰرَةٗ لَّن تَبُورَ﴾ [Fatir: 29]
- Reciting during night prayer (Qiyam) brings praise from Allah: ﴿مِّنۡ أَهۡلِ ٱلۡكِتَٰبِ أُمَّةٞ قَآئِمَةٞ يَتۡلُونَ ءَايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ ءَانَآءَ ٱلَّيۡلِ وَهُمۡ يَسۡجُدُونَ﴾ [Al-Imran: 113] Mastering recitation of the Quran helps the Muslim to consistently recite and review it.
In the Noble Sunnah:
- The Qur'an will intercede for its companion on the Day of Judgment. Abu Umamah reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say: “Recite the Qur’an, for it will come as an intercessor for its companions on the Day of Judgment.” (Reported by Muslim)
- The learner and teacher of the Qur'an are the best of people. Uthman ibn Affan reported: The Prophet ﷺ said: “The best among you are those who learn the Qur’an and teach it.” (Reported by Bukhari)
- The proficient reciter is with the noble angels, and the one who struggles while reciting will have a double reward. Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “The one proficient in the Qur'an is with the noble, righteous angels, and the one who recites it with difficulty and struggles receives double the reward.” (reported by Bukhari and Muslim)

Fifth: Source of the Science of Tajweed:

The scholars and reciters derived Tajweed from the exact recitational mode by which Gabriel taught the Prophet ﷺ, which the Companions passed on to the Followers and then to later generations through mass transmission.

Sixth: Famous Works in the Science of Tajweed:

The benefits of Tajweed appear to those who master it in two aspects:

1.The Epistle on Major Merging by Imam Abu Amr ibn al-Ala al-Basri (died 154 AH), followed by a poem on Qur’anic recitation by Imam Qalun al-Madani (died 220 AH), the earliest known works.
2.Al-Khaqani's Rhymed Poem (51 verses), by Abu Muzahim al-Khaqani al-Baghdadi (died 325 AH).
3.Ar-Ria’ayah for Perfecting Recitation by Imam Makki ibn Abi Talib al-Qaisi (died 437 AH).
4.At-Tahdeed on Mastery and Tajweed by Imam Abu Amr al-Dani (died 444 AH).
5.At-Tamheed in Tajweed by Imam Muhammad ibn al-Jazari (died 833 AH).
6.Al-Muqaddimah al-Jazariyyah by Imam Muhammad ibn al-Jazari (died 833 AH).
7.Tuhfat al-Atfal by Sheikh Suleiman al-Jamzuri (was alive in 1198 AH). May Allah have mercy on them all.

Lesson Content

Lesson questions

First Level

Introductions