Many people wonder how to learn Tajweed to read the Holy Quran correctly as it was revealed and as the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) recited it. Tajweed is a skill that can be learned and improved through a series of steps, which we will clarify in our article today.
What does the word Tajweed mean?
The word “Tajweed” in Arabic means improvement and perfection. In a technical sense, it means articulating each letter from its proper point of articulation and giving it its due rights and characteristics, returning each letter to its source and its original form, and connecting it with its counterpart.
Tajweed is a science that focuses on improving the recitation of the Holy Quran, ensuring it is correct and free from mistakes in pronunciation, recitation, and vocal performance. This is achieved by applying the proper phonetic rules and linguistic structure.
Why we learn Tajweed?
Learning Tajweed aids in the correct recitation of the Holy Quran, enhances the reader’s focus, and improves their linguistic and pronunciation skills. It also provides a deeper understanding of the Quranic meanings and conveys them accurately and effectively.
Additionally, it serves as a means to comprehend the meanings of the Holy Quran and reflect on its verses, as Allah Almighty said: “This is a Book We have sent down to you, blessed, that they might reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded.”
It is worth mentioning that a Muslim earns the reward of reading the entire Quran if they recite it by applying the rules of Tajweed and reciting it correctly as it was revealed and as the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to read it, thus avoiding mistakes in recitation that could alter the meaning.
Tajweed also contributes to the correct understanding of the meanings of the Quran and helps avoid confusion between similarly pronounced words that differ in meaning. Moreover, it improves the reader’s vocal performance, making the recitation more impactful, leading to more people being inclined to listen to the Quran.
Learning Tajweed is also a way of adhering to and following the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him), who recited the Quran with Tajweed. Additionally, it enhances the presence of mind and heart during recitation, increases the reader’s humility, and contributes to the fulfillment of worship in the best manner.
Steps to learn Tajweed
Know the basics of Tajweed
To Learn Tajweed, it is essential to understand the basics of Tajweed, familiarize yourself with its fundamental rules, and know the points of articulation and characteristics of letters, while also having a theoretical grasp of the main concepts. After this, practical application should begin.
Listen to proficient reciters and Imitate them
Listening to reference recitations by proficient reciters and mimicking them helps in learning faster and improving sound skills and proper patterns, as well as knowing the correct pronunciation of letters and words. This can be done by listening to them, repeating their recitations, and trying to imitate their pronunciation and recitation style.
Join Courses to learn Tajweed
You can enroll in Tajweed courses under the supervision of qualified instructors to assist you in learning correctly and providing guidance. This can be done by joining Islamic centers or Tajweed courses held in mosques. Learning from a qualified Tajweed teacher greatly aids in correcting mistakes promptly and answering your questions personally, facilitating the learning process and making it faster until you reach a level of proficiency.
Daily practice to learn Tajweed
Daily practice is necessary, focusing on reading the Quran and applying the Tajweed rules you learn in your recitation. During practice, you can record yourself and listen to the recording afterward, comparing it to the recitation of proficient reciters to assess your progress, strengths, areas for improvement, and weaknesses to focus on overcoming.
Repetition and review
You must know that learning Tajweed is a journey that requires patience, perseverance, and continuity. It may take time to master all the rules, and to reach a level of proficiency, continuous repetition and review are essential to help solidify the rules in your mind and ensure you do not forget them.
Utilize applications and online resources
Making use of modern technology is important; there are many applications and websites that offer numerous lessons on Tajweed, which will help you listen to the correct Tajweed and pronunciation and practice recitation interactively.
To learn Tajweed, do not forget the reading aspect, as reading is something many neglect despite its benefits and importance in learning. You can read specialized books on Tajweed to help you understand the rules more deeply, and references will assist you in answering detailed questions and theoretical details.
In conclusion, we can say that learning Tajweed is a continuous journey that requires patience and practice to achieve mastery in the correct recitation of the Holy Quran.
Written by: Esraa Shehta