Learner’s Handbook: Tajweed (Intermediate)

Introduction to Tajweed:
The Art of Reciting the Quran

Tajweed or, literally, “to make better” in Arabic is the rules of pronunciation of the Quran text. It may be understood as a necessity. For every Muslim who wants to read. The Quran correctly and melodiously, given the fact that Quran was revealed in tajweed Arabic.

The rules of Tajweed guarantee that every single letter of the Quran is read. How to improve on what they have been taught. As well as focus on the other aspects that are involved in Tajweed. This blog serves as a comprehensive guide, or Learner’s Handbook:

Our next course is Tajweed (Intermediate)

A course the would improve your tajweed in your reciting skills. As well as a brief explanation of the rules you are applying.

1. Why Tajweed Is Such an Essential Subject

Before going into detail about the rules, one has to understand the importance of learning Tajweed while reading the Quran. However, it doesn’t stop at referring to the Quran as a book; for Muslims it’s the word of Allah.

A single letter when spoken in a wrong manner changes the meaning of a verse. And that is where Tajweed comes into play to strictly ensure correct recitation of the verses.

Correct melodious reading effectively helps in focusing during worship. And helps in creating a much deeper bend towards religious instructions of the Quran.

Benefits of Learning Tajweed

• Clarity in Meaning:

Thus, it is appropriate to pay a special attention to the pronunciation so that distinct shades of meaning could be discerned in the literary works.

• Beautifying Recitation:

Jew Quran helps an individual to enhance the intonation of recitation making it to be more melodious.

• Spiritual Fulfillment:

It is clear from the article that if one has to recite Quran in the correct manner then the spiritual satisfaction as well as a bond with Allah is enhanced.

• Preserving the Quran:

Therefore, when you can recite the Quran with Tajweed, you help to pass the Quran in the same form in which it was given to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

2. In this brief review of the basic Tajweed rules, few of them include:

Before moving forward, let us refresh the basics of Tajweed which would be understandable to an intermediate learner. These are the basic rules from which other rules evolve as well as the set from which more complicated rules are derived.

1. Makharij al-Huruf also known as Articulation Points of Letters

Makharij for the letters are identified at articulation points which mean that articulation points for any letter is right pronunciation of the same letter. There are 17 points of articulation in the human vocal tracts ranging from the back of the throat to the lips. These points should be explained to the intermediate learners and the learners should also focus on improving their“shading” of difficult letters such as ض (Dad), ع (Ain) and غ (Ghain).

2. Sifaat Alhuruf or Sifaat al Alfaz or Sifate Alafaz or Sifaat Alfaz (characteristics of the letters).

In Arabic script there are limitations such as heaviness of a letter (Tafkheem) or lightness of a letter (Tarqeeq) that is assigned to each letter in the Arabic alphabet. This is where the understanding of these characteristics comes in helpful in trying to distinguish the letters that sound alike but has different meanings when pronounced wrong.

3. Noon Sakinah and tanween rules Al-Rahman Noon Sakinah is a term used to refer to the letters

That From the Arabic word Noon and Sakinah is originated from Al-Rahman is another term which is derived from the Arabic language From the word The rules for Noon Sakinah and Tanween include:
In regard with Noon Sakinah and Tanween, rules state how the letter ن (Noon) or the Tanween (two vowels) will be pronounced depending on the letter that comes after it. Key rules include:

• Idghaam (Merging):

Cutting two letters together but without fully pronouncing the first of them.

• Ikhfa (Concealment):

Speaking a letter with a sound that is to some extent weakened and made to come from the nostrils.

• Iqlab (Conversion):

The first change made is the transition of the sound of Noon Sakinah to a م (Meem) sound.

4. Madd (Elongation of Letters)

The Madd rules tells us how long a vowel sound should be stretched out for.

 The different types of Madd include:•

Madd Tabee’ee:

The normal elongation as counted twice.

• Madd Munfasil:

Hamza lengthening (three to five marks).

• Madd Lazim:

The regulatory elongation which is six counts.

3. Intermediate Tajweed Rules

In this level, learners are supposed to have a deeper knowledge of Tajweed and so they are made to learn more intricate rules on Tajweed. Such rules help establish the criteria by which the reciting is virtually correct, sounding melodious, and invoking advanced sentiments.1. Tafkheem and Tarqeeq from the Arabic language means Heavy and Light Sounds.
Some of the Arabic letters are pronounced with emphasis frequently referred to as Tafkheem while others are pronounced lightly known as Tarqeeq. It is therefore important to grasp when and how these characteristics should be used if one is to get the recitation right.

• Tafkheem:

This is the process of the adding density in the sound to make it more intense. Letters that are always heavy include: خ ص ض غ ط ظ and ق.

• Tarqeeq:

This refers to theVBoxLayout of sound in which it is either softened or lightened. Most of the times Tarqeeq is used while pronouncing the letters, but there are some letters like ‘ر’(Ra) and ‘ل’(Laam) which can use both Tafkheem and Tarqeeq based on word position as well as surrounding letters.

2. Now we are ready to learn Rules for the Letter Ra (ر)

The letter ر has Tafkheem and Tarqeeq though they are pronounced according to the situation that a person finds himself or herself in. As mentioned, to avoid a dramatic difference in the tones and the tenor of the recitation, intermediate learners specifically have to be cautious when using this letter. The general rule is:
• When ra is followed by a Fatha or a Dammah it is pronounced with Tafkheem.
• When the letter ra is followed by a Kasrah it should be pronounced with Tarqeeq.

3. Qalqalah (Echoing Sound)

As for the Qalqalah rule it is applicable only to those letters that appear in the state of Sukoon, that is, when no vowel is pronounced on the said letter. These letters are: Re: ق, ط, ب, ج, and د In pronunciation these letters make a metallic sound which echoes slightly.
There are three levels of Qalqalah:There are three levels of Qalqalah:

• Qalqalah Kubra (Strongest):

If one of the Qalqalah letters is found at the end of a verse or a sentence.

• Qalqalah Wusta (Medium):

When a Qalqalah is somewhere in the middle of a word but the word ends with a letter that doesn’t make any sound.

• Qalqalah Sughra (Lightest):

the effects of qalqalah in the middle of a word and qalqalah followed by vowel.

4. Its very important REPRE, Function of Ghunna:

Ghunna or nasalization is very important in quranic reading which is done by blocking the throat and the air is allowed to pass down through the nose.
Plosive means the stop of a sound made by blocking of airflow, whereas ‘Ghunna’ is one that is made through the nose. It takes place in the sounds of the letters: ن (Noon) and م (Meem) when they are pronounced at the end of a word and after the certain letters or when the letter is in Shaddah. It therefore holds that Ghunna must last for two counts and and to recite accurately the Quran one must really understand where Ghunna is placed.

5. Application of Intermediate Tajweed: Useful Suggestions
To be able to learn Tajweed at an intermediate level we has to practice, and it must be made a routine activity and done diligently.

 Here are some tips to improve your recitation skills:

1. Listen to Skilled Reciters
It is also most advisable to listen to Quron reciters who have good Tajweed in order to have a feel of the correct way to recite the Quran. Ponder on how they use the rules and attempt to emulate the way they read it out. Currently, there are so many famous reciters consisting of Sheikh Abdul Basit, Mishary Al-Afasy, and Sudais whose recitation observes the rules of Tajweed properly.

2. Make and assess your recitation Administration, Record and Evaluate Your Recitation

The ability to record one’s own recitation is helpful in correcting mistakes such as improper pronunciation or in decision to elongate a particular sound. Play your recording and compare it with that of professional reciters so that you can easily determine where you went wrong.

3. Take Tajweed Classes

However, attempting to learn and master Tajweed through self-study is possible but going for a Tajweed class with a teacher help a lot in mastering Tajweed rules. Students can get personalised feedback and observances made by the teachers regarding mistakes that may even go unnoticed or unobserved.

4. Tajweed Apps and Resources Should be used

Now in the contemporary society there are many softwares and applications that can used while learning Tajweed online. Examples of such app are “Learn Tajweed”, furthermore examples of such site are Quran. com provide lessons, quizzes, and recitation. Misconceptions should not be Practiced in Intermediate Tajweed
Whenever you advance in Tajweed learning, there are some mistakes that learners make that you need to avert.

 Here are a few to be mindful of:

1. Mispronouncing Heaviness and Lightness

Among the common mistakes, the failure to distinguish between the thickness of the letters is common. While reading, if a learner reads ص (Sad) as س (Seen) it alters the word entirely and as such it requires being corrected.

2. Over-Elongating or Under-Elongating Madd

The second failure is the tendencies of improper use of Madd rules. Vowel elongation that goes to the extreme or its vice versa affects the recitation flow and also alters the verses’ meaning.

3. Neglecting Ghunna

Some of the learners tend to omit the use of Ghunna during recitation or else they count it for less than two times. It disrupts the flow and the rhythm of the singing.

7. Conclusion:

Continuing the Journey of Tajweed’

The understanding of Tajweed is a process that a reciter partakes throughout his life time To sum up no one can master it in a day.

The Learner’s Handbook:

Tajweed (Intermediate) is aimed at helping you by offering you the tools. For improving the pronunciation. Also in this way, with constant practice, asking for other people’s feedback. And with the continuation of your studies, it is possible to fulfil the dream of reading the Quran. With the correct expressive and sincere intention.
When advancing in the course it is important to note that Tajweed is not just a set of rules. Accompanied by pertinent guidelines.

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