Tajweed Rules

Nun Sakinah is the letter noon (ن) with sukoon, present in both speech and writing, in pausing and continuing. Tanween is an extra…

Izhar literally means clarity and clearness. Technically: pronouncing each letter from its articulation point without any ghunnah …

Idgham literally means merging one thing into another. Technically: a sukoon letter merges into a moving letter, becoming one doub…

Idgham without Ghunnah occurs before only two letters: Lam (ل) and Ra (ر) When Nun Sakinah or Tanween meets these letters, the noo…

Iqlab literally means to convert/flip something. Technically: converting Nun Sakinah or Tanween into a hidden meem with ghunnah be…

Ikhfa literally means to hide/conceal. Technically: pronouncing noon in a state between Izhar and Idgham, with ghunnah remaining a…

Comparison table of Nun Sakinah rulings: | Ruling | Letters | Ghunnah | Shaddah | |--------|---------|---------|---------| | Izhar…

Meem Sakinah is the letter Meem (م) with sukoon, whether in one word or two. Meem Sakinah has three rulings: Ikhfa Shafawi — be…

Ikhfa Shafawi occurs when Meem Sakinah meets Ba (ب) only. How to perform: Close lips for Meem without pressing hard Maintain …

Idgham Shafawi (Small Muthaleen): Occurs when a sukoon Meem meets a moving Meem — the first merges into the second with ghunnah fo…

Madd literally means extension/prolongation. Technically: extending the sound using one of the three Madd letters. Three Madd lett…

Tabi'i Madd is the basic Madd that the letter's nature cannot exist without. Duration: 2 harakaat (approximately one alif). Ruling…

Madd Wajib Muttasil occurs when Hamza comes after a Madd letter in the same word. Duration: 4 or 5 harakaat (reciter chooses and s…

Madd Arid lil-Sukoon occurs when pausing on a word ending with a Madd or Leen letter before a letter that was originally moving bu…

Sifah (characteristic) literally means a quality that exists in something. Technically: a quality a letter has when produced from …

Jahr: Airflow stops when pronouncing the letter due to strong pressure at makhraj. Voiced letters (18): memorized from "ʿaẓuma waz…

Qalqalah literally means agitation/movement. Technically: vibration of the sound when pronouncing the letter with sukoon, creating…

Waqf literally means stopping/detaining. Technically: cutting the voice at the end of a word for a breath, with the intention to c…

Types of Waqf by ruling: 1. Tam (Complete): Pausing on speech complete in meaning, disconnected from what follows in meaning and g…

Madd Lazim is the strongest and longest type of Madd — duration: 6 harakaat (obligatory). Called Lazim because the sukoon causing …

Makhraj (plural: Makhaarij) means the point of exit — where the letter originates anatomically. Purpose: Knowing the makhraj allow…

Al-Jawf (the cavity): the empty space inside mouth and throat. The three Madd letters originate here: Alif (ا after fathah), Waw s…

Al-Halq (throat) has three levels: 1. Deepest: Hamza (ء) and Ha (ه) 2. Middle: Ain (ع) and Haa (ح) 3. Nearest: Ghain (غ) and Kha (…

The tongue is the richest source — 10 makhaarij and 18 letters. Back of tongue: ق ك | Middle: ج ش ي | Edge: ض ل | Near tip: ن ر | …

Lips (2 makhaarij, 4 letters): • Fa (ف): inner lower lip + upper incisors • Ba (ب): both lips pressed together • Meem (م): lips pr…

Shiddah: Sound stops suddenly — 8 letters (أجد قطّ بكت) Rakhawah: Sound flows freely Tawassut (middle): Neither full stop nor full…

Isti'la: Tongue rises toward upper palate — 7 letters: خ ص ض غ ط ق ظ (memorized as "Khasas Daght Qath") These are always heavy (Ta…

Itbaq: Tongue presses against upper palate — produces maximum heaviness. 4 letters: ص ض ط ظ — these combine both Isti'la and Itbaq…

Ra (ر) is one of the most nuanced letters in tajweed — it alternates between Tafkhim (heavy) and Tarqeeq (light) based on context.…

Ra is heavy (Tafkhim) in 7 cases: 1. Ra with fathah | 2. Ra with dammah | 3. Ra sakinah after fathah | 4. Ra sakinah after dammah …

Ra is light (Tarqeeq) in 3 cases: 1. Ra with kasrah: "رِجَالٌ" 2. Ra sakinah after original kasrah: "فِرْعَوْنَ" 3. Ra sakinah aft…

Muthaalan: Two identical letters (same makhraj and sifaat), first sakinah, second moving. Types: • Sagheer (small): first sakinah …

Mutajaanisaan: Two letters sharing the same makhraj but different sifaat — first sakinah, second moving. Famous Hafs examples: • D…

Mutaqaaribaan: Two letters close in makhraj or sifaat. Hafs examples: • Lam+Ra: "قُل رَّبِّ" — Lam merges into Ra • Noon+Lam: "مِن…

Complete guide to Waqf signs in the King Fahd Mushaf: م = Must stop | لا = Must continue | ج = Either OK | ز = Stop OK, continue p…

Changes at word endings when pausing: 1. Tanween: substituted with Alif in accusative: "عَلِيماً" → "عَلِيمَا" 2. Ta Marbutah (ة):…

Ghunnah: A melodic nasal resonance from the nasal passage (Khayshoom), lasting 2 counts at full strength. 5 levels (strongest to w…

Three accepted reading paces: 1. Tahqeeq (slowest): full rights of each letter — for teaching 2. Tadweer (moderate): balanced — be…

Isti'adhah: "A'udhu billahi minash-shaytan ir-rajeem" — recommended (Sunnah Mu'akkadah) before reading. Basmalah: Obligatory in Al…

Disconnected letters (Fawatih): Opening letters of some surahs like "الم" and "يس". Read by their letter names: Alif-Lam-Meem, Ya-…

Definition: Complete Stop (Waqf Taam): pausing where the meaning is complete with no grammatical or semantic connection to what fo…

Definition: Sufficient Stop (Waqf Kaafi): pausing where the meaning is grammatically complete but has a semantic connection to wha…

Definition: Good Stop (Hasan): Pausing where the meaning is conveyed, even if grammatically connected to what follows — restarting…

Definition: Voluntary Restart (Ikhtiyari): Starting recitation from a chosen position — either at the beginning, or after a Taam o…

Definition: Sakt: a brief pause (without breathing) on a letter, then continuing. This is one of the unique features of Hafs's nar…

Definition: Major Assimilation (Idgham Kabeer): merging a voweled letter into an identical or similar voweled letter following it.…

Definition: Minor Assimilation (Idgham Sagheer): merging a sukoon (non-voweled) letter into the following voweled letter in the ne…

Definition: Labial Concealment (Ikhfa Shafawi): concealing the Meem Saakinah before the letter Ba, while maintaining the nasal res…

Definition: The word "Allah" has two forms: emphasis (Tafkhim/Takhleez) or thinning (Tarqeeq), determined by the vowel that preced…

Definition: Letters of elevation (Huroof Al-Isti'la): seven letters pronounced with heaviness because the tongue rises toward the …

Definition: Tarqeeq of Ra: pronouncing Ra without raising the tongue — no heaviness or emphasis is heard. Ra can be thin, heavy, o…

Definition: Tafkhim of Ra: pronouncing Ra with heaviness, tongue raised toward the upper palate. The default for Ra is Tafkhim unl…

Definition: Solar Lam (Shamsiyya): the Lam of "Al" (the definite article) that assimilates into the following letter and is not pr…

Definition: Hamzat Al-Qat'a (Cutting Hamza): A Hamza always pronounced — whether starting speech or continuing. Written with Hamza…

Definition: Stopping at verse endings: pausing at the end of each verse (ayah marker) even when the meaning flows into the next ve…

Definition: Nabr (stress) linguistically means elevation or raising. Technically, it refers to raising the voice on a syllable bey…

Definition: Quranic recitation has three recognized modes, all permissible as long as they do not violate the rights of each lette…

Definition: Al-Mutashaabih Al-Lafzhi refers to verses or phrases that are similar in sound or structure to other verses, potential…

Definition: Al-Madd Al-Laazim Al-Kalimi Al-Muthaqal is when a madd or leen letter is followed by a doubled (shaddah) letter within…

Definition: Al-Madd Al-Laazim Al-Kalimi Al-Mukhaffaf is when a madd letter is followed by a genuinely sukoon letter (no shaddah) w…

Definition: Madd Al-Leen is the extension of the two leen letters (sukoon waaw and sukoon yaa, each preceded by a fatha) when foll…

Definition: Al-Madd Al-Aarid Lil-Sukoon is when a madd letter is followed by a letter that is originally voweled but becomes silen…

Definition of Inherent Attributes: These are the intrinsic, permanent qualities of each letter that remain constant in all conditi…

Definition of Incidental Attributes: These are qualities that arise from a letter's position or neighboring context, affecting whe…

Definition: Ghunna is a resonant nasal sound that emerges from the nasal passage (khayshoom), with no involvement of the tongue. I…

Definition of Pausing Modes: When pausing on a word-final voweled letter, three options exist: 1. Sukoon (Full Stop): The final vo…

Definition: Qalqala literally means vibration or agitation. Technically, it is the vibration of the articulation point when pronou…

Definition: Al-Jawf (the cavity) is the internal empty space of the mouth and throat combined. It is not a specific point but an e…

Definition: The throat (halq) is the passage extending between the larynx and the mouth. It has three subdivisions, each producing…

Definition: The seven elevated (Isti'la) letters (خ ص ض غ ط ق ظ) are always pronounced with heaviness (tafkheem) in every conditio…

Definition of Imala: Linguistically: inclination. Technically: pronouncing the alif or fatha with a lean toward the yaa and kasra.…

Definition of Tasheel: Technically: pronouncing the second of two consecutive hamzas with a sound between a full hamza and the lon…

Definition of Ibdal: Ibdal: converting a sukoon hamza into a long vowel matching the movement of the letter before it. If preceded…

Definition of Shaddah: The shaddah sign indicates doubling of a letter: merging two identical letters, the first with sukoon and t…

Definition of Pronoun Haa: The pronoun haa refers to the third-person masculine singular (he) in words like "minhu," "bihi," and "…

Definition of Separated and Joined: Maqtoo (separated): written in the Mushaf as two separate words even though pronounced as one …

The Issue of "Al-Dhaf" / "Al-Dhuf": In Surah Al-Rum (verses 54) the word appears three times. Hafs has two readings: "Al-Dhaf" wit…

Types of Stopping (Brief): Stopping divides into: Taam (preferred), Kaafi (permissible), Hasan (permissible with care), and Qabeeh…

Definition of Ghunna: Ghunna: a nasal sound coming from the nasal cavity — not the mouth — that accompanies noon and meem in speci…

Origin of the Issue: Baa is an Istifaal (non-elevated) letter and is by default lightly pronounced — but scholars of Tajweed discu…

Homorganic Letters (Mutajaanisaan): Two letters sharing the same articulation point but differing in attributes. Example: daal, ta…

The Issue: Neither "nastaeen" nor "narham" has a final noon that drops — the verb ends with dhamma or another letter. This card ad…

Definition of "Al": "Al" is the definite article in Arabic and the Quran. It consists of a connecting alif + laam. Solar Letters (…

Subject: After finishing a surah and starting another (other than Al-Tawbah) — how does the reader handle "Bismillah Al-Rahman Al-…

Definition of Idhhar: Idhhar: pronouncing the letter clearly from its articulation point without merging, hiding, or conversion. F…

Definition of Hams: Linguistically: a hidden sound. Technically: the flow of breath when pronouncing the letter due to weakness of…

Definition of Jahr: Linguistically: appearance and declaration. Technically: the holding back of breath flow when pronouncing the …

Key principle: Alif is a dependent letter — it has no inherent tafkheem or tarqeeq of its own. Its heaviness or lightness follows …

Definition of Sakt: Sakt: a momentary pause of the voice without breathing — shorter than waqf and not considered a full stop. The…

Definition of Al-Mutamathhilayn: Two identical letters: sharing the same articulation point and attributes — i.e., the same letter…

Definition of Fari Mad: Fari Mad: any extension beyond the natural mad (two counts) due to hamza or sukoon — there are seven main …

The phonetic syllable in Arabic: The phonetic syllable is a pronunciation unit beginning with a consonant followed by a vowel. In …

Definition of Takrir: Takrir: the trembling of the tip of the tongue when pronouncing the letter ra — the possibility of the vibra…

Definition of Infitah: Infitah: the space between the tongue and the upper palate remains open when pronouncing the letter — the t…

Definition of Istifal: Istifal: the lowering of the tongue to the floor of the mouth when pronouncing the letter — the opposite of…

Definition: Linguistically: Beautification and mastery. Technically: A science that teaches giving each letter its rights (essenti…

Lahn linguistically means deviation from correctness. Technically: error in reciting Qur'anic words. 1. Lahn Jali (Obvious Error):…

Tafkhim (heaviness): a fullness entering the letter's sound, filling the mouth. Tarqeeq (lightness): a thinness so the mouth isn't…

The definite article "Al" (ال): A sukoon lam added to nouns. The following 28 letters split equally: Shamsi Lam (Solar Lam) — 14 l…

Lafdh Al-Jalalah: The name "Allah". Its Lam has two states: (1) Heavy (Tafkhim): When preceded by Fathah or Dammah. After Fathah: …

After Lam at-Ta'reef and Lam Al-Jalalah, other lams are categorized by word type: (1) Lam of Verb: Sakinah lam in verbs. Generally…

Izhar Halqi: Pronouncing nun sakinah or tanween clearly without ghunnah when followed by one of the six throat letters. The six le…

Iqlab: Converting Nun Sakinah or Tanween into a hidden Meem with ghunnah, before the letter Ba (ب). Only letter: Ba (ب) — making I…

Rule: Idgham (with or without ghunnah) only occurs when the noon sakinah is at the end of one word and the merging letter starts t…

Ikhfa Haqiqi: Pronouncing noon/tanween in a state between Izhar and Idgham, without shaddah, retaining ghunnah for 2 counts. 15 Le…

Meem Sakinah has three rulings: (1) Ikhfa Shafawi (before Ba): hide meem with ghunnah. Examples: وَمَا هُمْ بِمُؤْمِنِينَ، تَرْمِي…

Meem Al-Jam' (Plural Meem): The sukoon meem ending nouns/verbs referring to masculine plural — هُمْ، أَنْتُمْ، عَلَيْهِمْ. In Hafs…

Ha' Al-Kinayah (Pronoun Ha): The extra Ha at word ending referring to singular masculine third person: إِنَّهُ، بِهِ، لَهُ. Rule i…

(1) Madd Al-Badal (Substitute Madd): Hamza precedes a Madd letter in one word. Originally two hamzas — second silenced and replace…

Madd Al-Sillah: Extension of the pronoun Ha (هـ) when between two moving letters. Rule: Dammah Ha → extends to small waw (ۥ) Kasra…

(1) Madd Al-Tamkeen: Clarifying a doubled or adjacent Madd-letter so it isn't shortened in speech. Forms: - Doubled kasrah ya befo…

Madd Al-Munfasil (Separated): Madd letter at end of one word, hamza at beginning of next word. Why "separated": The Madd letter an…

Madd Lazim Kalimi: Madd letter meets original sukoon in one word. "Lazim" because sukoon is constant (in wasl and waqf). "Kalimi" …

Madd Lazim Harfi: The Madd in disconnected letters at surah openings. "Harfi" because it occurs in a letter (not a word). Duration…

Seven Characteristics without Opposites: (1) Safir (Whistling): A whistling sound. Letters: ص ز س. Examples: الصَّمَدُ، زُلْفَى، ا…

(1) Idhlaq: Ease of letter production from tongue tip or lip. 6 letters in mnemonic "Firra min lubb" (فِرَّ مِن لُبٍّ): ف ر م ن ل …

The Ten Tongue Makhaarij (10 articulation points, 18 letters): Back of tongue + roof: ق — Examples: الْقُرْآنُ، الْقَدْرِ Bac…

(1) Hamzat Al-Qat' (Cutting Hamza): Permanent in writing and pronunciation (start, middle, pause). Signs: أ، إ، آ، ؤ، ئ Places: Al…

(1) Starting with Wasl Hamza (Hafs): "Al" article → Fathah: الْحَمْدُ starts as أَلْحَمْدُ Ten nouns → Kasrah: ابْن starts as…

Hafs Exceptions: (1) Imalah (single place): "مَجْرَاهَا" in Hud 41 — Ra and following Alif are inclined toward kasrah/ya. (2) Ishm…

Sakt: A brief interruption of voice (about 2 counts) without breathing, with intent to continue. Difference from Waqf: Sakt has no…

Idgham by First Letter's State: (1) Small Idgham: First letter sukoon, second moving. Examples: قَالَت طَّائِفَةٌ، ارْكَب مَّعَنَا…

Permissible Cases for Ra: (1) "فِرْقٍ" (Shu'ara 63): Both modes permitted — preferred: light. (2) "الْقِطْرِ" (Saba' 12, when paus…

Three Ways of Pausing: (1) Plain Sukoon: Silencing the last letter completely. Most common. Applies to all vowels. (2) Rawm: Prono…

(1) Maqtu' & Mawsul (Separated vs. Joined Words in Mushaf Spelling): "أن لا" separated in 10 places (Hud 2, Isra 23, A'raf 105, An…

Ha' Al-Sakt: A silent Ha written in the Mushaf at the end of certain words to indicate a dropped vowel or pause letter. Not to be …