Basic
Introduction
Introduction to Tajweed — Definition, Ruling & Virtue
Definition:
Linguistically: Beautification and mastery.
Technically: A science that teaches giving each letter its rights (essential qualities) and due rights (contextual qualities) — articulation, characteristics, lengthening, lightening, and heaviness.
Subject: The Qur'anic words from the perspective of their pronunciation.
Goal: Protecting the tongue from error in Allah's Book, achieving perfection in recitation as received from the Prophet ﷺ.
Founder: Imams of recitation, taken from the Prophet ﷺ by audition. First independent author: Abu Muzahim Al-Khaqani (d. 325H) in his famed "Ra'iyyah" poem.
Ruling:
Linguistically: Beautification and mastery.
Technically: A science that teaches giving each letter its rights (essential qualities) and due rights (contextual qualities) — articulation, characteristics, lengthening, lightening, and heaviness.
Subject: The Qur'anic words from the perspective of their pronunciation.
Goal: Protecting the tongue from error in Allah's Book, achieving perfection in recitation as received from the Prophet ﷺ.
Founder: Imams of recitation, taken from the Prophet ﷺ by audition. First independent author: Abu Muzahim Al-Khaqani (d. 325H) in his famed "Ra'iyyah" poem.
Ruling:
- Learning the theory: collective obligation (fard kifayah)
- Applying it in recitation: individual obligation (fard 'ayn) on every sane adult Muslim reciter
Source: Matn Al-Jazariyyah by Ibn Al-Jazari (d. 833H), verses 1-3 | An-Nashr (1/210)
Test Yourself
What is the ruling on learning Tajweed theoretically and applying it practically?
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