Levels of Recitation

Modes of Recitation:

The recitation of the Noble Qur'an has three Modes in terms of speed. The reciter may choose any of them depending on the context—whether in prayer, in the presence of listeners, or in solitude. These modes are:

First mode: **At-Taḥqīq** – This is slow-paced recitation, with full mastery of tajweed, without elongation of letters or compromising the measures of nasal sounds (ghunnah) and prolongations (madd). This mode is typically used by beginning students to train their tongues to pronounce the letters correctly from their articulation points, to master the characteristics —both permanent and temporary—of the letters and to balance the measures of ghunnah and madd.

Second mode: **Al-Ḥadr** – This is a rapid style of recitation, without merging letters or running them into one another, and without violating tajwīd rules. It is primarily employed by those who have mastered the recitation.

Third mode: **At-Tadwīr** – This is a moderate pace between At-Taḥqīq and Al-Ḥadr, and it is the most used style of recitation.

Note:

The reader must observe all tajwīd rules across the various modes of recitation, as expressed in the concept of *Tartīl*. Tartīl is not a separate mode on its own, but rather a description of proper and accurate recitation, which is essential regardless of speed. As narrated from ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib (may Allah be pleased with him), when asked about the interpretation of Allah’s saying: ﴿وَرَتِّلِ ٱلۡقُرۡءَانَ تَرۡتِيلًا﴾ *[Al-Muzzammil: 4]*, he replied: “Tartīl is the precision in articulating letters and the knowledge of stopping points” Thus, Tartīl applies to all the recitation modes, as previously explained.