The science of Tajweed of the Holy Quran is one of the sciences that elevate a Muslim in rank before Allah Almighty. Learning the rules of Tajweed helps preserve the tongue from errors in the words of the Quran during recitation.
It also aids in pondering over the meanings of the Quran, reflecting on its verses and objectives, and is a way to correct mispronunciations, training the tongue in proper Arabic. Additionally, it assists in learning Arabic, as many aspects of Tajweed relate to language, such as the hamzahs of connection and disconnection.
Thus, we find many sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that urge the correct recitation of the Quran and explain the virtue of those who recite it as it was revealed to Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Verses of the Quran also highlight the virtue of those who recite the Quran correctly, and Allah has prepared a great reward for the people of the Quran on the Day of Judgment.
Hadith on Tajweed
‘Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
“The one who is proficient in the recitation of the Quran will be with the honorable and obedient scribes (angels), and the one who recites the Quran and finds it difficult and is struggling in it will have a double reward.”
(قال رسول الله صلّى الله عليه وسلم: «الذي يقرأ القرآن، وهو ماهر به مع السفرة الكرام البررة، والذي يقرأ القرآن، ويتتعتع فيه، وهو عليه شاق له أجران»).
The hadith indicates the virtue of those who excel in reciting the Quran and perfect their recitation, placing them among the ranks of the noble angels, and that those who struggle in their recitation will have a double reward: the reward for recitation and the reward for the struggle.
Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say:
“Allah does not listen to anything as He listens to a Prophet with a beautiful voice reciting the Quran aloud.”
(قال رسول الله صلّى الله عليه وسلم: «ما أذن الله لشيء ما أذن لنبي حسن الصوت يتغنى بالقرآن يجهر به»).
The hadith encourages beautifying the voice when reciting the Quran and reciting it in a melodious and clear manner, as this is among the reasons for receiving abundant rewards from Allah. For everything has an adornment, and the adornment of the Quran is a beautiful voice. If the reciter does not naturally have a beautiful voice, they should strive to beautify it as much as they can.
Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-As (may Allah be pleased with them) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“It will be said to the companion of the Quran: Recite and ascend (in ranks) as you used to recite when you were in the world, for your rank will be at the last verse you recite.”
(قال النبى صلّى الله عليه وسلم: «يقال لصاحب القرآن: اقرأ وارق ورتل كما كنت ترتل فى الدنيا فإن منزلتك عند آخر آية تقرؤها»).
The hadith encourages the memorization of the Quran and specifies that the term “companion” in the hadith refers to the one who has memorized it by heart, rather than the one who recites from the Mushaf (written Quran).
Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“The best among you are those who learn the Quran and teach it.”
(قال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: «خيركم من تعلم القرآن وعلمه»).
The hadith indicates that the best of people are those who learn the Quran and its associated sciences, such as the science of Tajweed, and teach it to others.
Abu Umamah al-Bahili (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that he heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say:
“Recite the Quran, for it will come on the Day of Resurrection as an intercessor for its companions.”
(قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: «اقرؤوا القرآن فإنه يأتي يوم القيامة شفيعاً لأصحابه»).
The hadith indicates that reciting the Quran with a proper, sound recitation, maintaining its study, and learning its associated sciences will cause the Quran to intercede for its companions on the Day of Judgment with Allah’s permission.
Verses From the Quran on Tajweed:
There is no doubt that the greatest act of worship and the best form of obedience by which a servant can draw closer to Allah is through the recitation of the Holy Quran, which falsehood cannot approach from before it or from behind it, a revelation from the Wise and Praiseworthy. Allah has commanded His servants to worship Him through its recitation, as He said:
“إِنَّ رَبَّكَ يَعْلَمُ أَنَّكَ تَقُومُ أَدْنَى مِنْ ثُلُثَيِ اللَّيْلِ وَنِصْفَهُ وَثُلُثَهُ وَطَائِفَةٌ مِنَ الَّذِينَ مَعَكَ وَاللَّهُ يُقَدِّرُ اللَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ عَلِمَ أَنْ لَنْ تُحْصُوهُ فَتَابَ عَلَيْكُمْ فَاقْرَءُوا مَا تَيَسَّرَ مِنَ الْقُرْآنِ” [المزمل: 20]
(“Indeed, your Lord knows, [O Muhammad], that you stand [in prayer] almost two-thirds of the night or half of it or a third of it, and [so do] a group of those with you. And Allah determines [the extent of] the night and the day. He has known that you [Muslims] will not be able to do it and has turned to you in forgiveness, so recite what is easy [for you] of the Quran.” [Al-Muzzammil: 20])
And He said:
“إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا جَمْعَهُ وَقُرْآنَهُ * فَإِذَا قَرَأْنَاهُ فَاتَّبِعْ قُرْآنَهُ * ثُمَّ إِنَّ عَلَيْنَا بَيَانَهُ” [القيامة: 17 – 19]
(“Indeed, upon Us is its collection [in your heart] and [to make possible] its recitation. So when We have recited it [through Gabriel], then follow its recitation. Then upon Us is its clarification [to you].” [Al-Qiyamah: 17-19])
When Gabriel would finish reciting what Allah revealed, the Prophet would follow what he recited and teach it to the companions, urging them to learn its recitation and perfect it. And He, the Almighty, said:
“إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَتْلُونَ كِتَابَ اللَّهِ وَأَقَامُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَأَنْفَقُوا مِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ سِرًّا وَعَلَانِيَةً يَرْجُونَ تِجَارَةً لَنْ تَبُورَ” [فاطر: 29]
(“Indeed, those who recite the Book of Allah and establish prayer and spend [in His cause] out of what We have provided them, secretly and publicly, [can] expect a profit that will never perish.” [Fatir: 29])
And He, the Almighty, said:
“وَلَقَدْ يَسَّرْنَا الْقُرْآنَ لِلذِّكْرِ فَهَلْ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍ” [القمر: 17]
(“And We have certainly made the Quran easy for remembrance, so is there any who will remember?” [Al-Qamar: 17])
All these noble verses indicate the importance of learning the Holy Quran and its sciences, foremost among them the science of Tajweed, so that we may recite the Quran as it was revealed to our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Importance of Reading Quran With Tajweed:
Reading the Quran with Tajweed ensures correct pronunciation and enhances understanding of its meanings, as emphasized in the Quran. It also improves Arabic proficiency, leading to high-quality recitation and spiritual fulfillment.
1- Preserving the reciters from errors
Learning the Quran With Tajweed Preserves the tongue from errors in the words of the Quran during recitation helps in contemplating the meanings of the Quran and reflecting on its verses and objectives, as Allah says:
“كِتابٌ أَنْزَلْناهُ إِلَيْكَ مُبارَكٌ لِيَدَّبَّرُوا آياتِهِ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ أُولُوا الْأَلْبابِ”
(“[This is] a blessed Book which We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], that they might reflect upon its verses and that those of understanding would be reminded.” [Sad: 29])
2- Correcting Mispronunciations
Reading the Quran With Tajweed corrects mispronunciations and trains the tongue in proper Arabic, which also helps in learning the Arabic language.
3- Quality Recitation
It enables the reciter to achieve quality in recitation, and excellent performance and preserves the tongue from mistakes during the recitation of the Quran, which leads to gaining Allah’s pleasure and achieving happiness in this world and the Hereafter.
Reading the Quran With Tajweed enables the Quran reciter to recite it freshly as it was revealed by Allah, which leads to excellent performance and quality recitation.
Do I have to Learn Tajweed?
Scholars have different opinions on the rules of learning Tajweed: Some say that the rules of Tajweed are recommended but not obligatory. If a person recites the Quran in the language of the Arabs, that suffices, and praise be to Allah.
However, it is recommended to recite it to someone more knowledgeable to perfect it well. If one reads it with Tajweed to someone who knows it, it is considered a completion, an excellence, and a care for perfecting the Quran, and reading it in a satisfactory manner. Otherwise, it is not a condition, nor is it obligatory.
Other scholars say that theoretically learning the rules of Tajweed is a communal obligation (Fard Kifaya), while practically applying the rules during recitation is an individual obligation (Fard Ayn). The Encyclopedia of Islamic Jurisprudence states: There is no disagreement that engaging in the science of Tajweed is a communal obligation.
However, practically applying it, the early scholars of Quranic recitation and Tajweed have said that adhering to all the principles of Tajweed is obligatory, and neglecting it is sinful.
The Virtues of Learning Tajweed:
The virtues of learning Tajweed are numerous, including:
1- Emulating the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the noble companions, as Allah revealed the Quran with Tajweed to Gabriel, who recited it with Tajweed to the Prophet (peace be upon him), and the Prophet recited it to the noble companions.
2- Achieving servitude to Allah and following His commands, as He says:
“وَرَتِّلِ الْقُرْآنَ تَرْتِيلًا”
(“And recite the Quran with measured recitation.” [Al-Muzzammil: 4])
3- Attaining Allah’s love through excelling in learning the Quran, Tajweed, and understanding its rules, as He says:
“إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُحْسِنِينَ”
(“Indeed, Allah loves the doers of good.” [Al-Baqarah: 195])
4- Learning is one of the best and most honorable sciences because it is related to the most honorable book, the Book of Allah Almighty.
Is Tajweed Obligatory in Salah?
It is obligatory for a Muslim to correctly memorize Surah Al-Fatiha in its entirety, ensuring not to replace one letter with another, not to change a vowel that would alter the meaning, which is known as clear errors (Lahn Jali), including lightening a doubled consonant or doubling a light consonant.
As for the rules of Tajweed, such as nasal sounds (Ghunnat), elongations (Madd), and other enhancements of recitation, leaving them does not invalidate the prayer (salah).
Learn the Quran With Tajweed at Home:
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Conclusion:
Reciting the Holy Quran is one of the most significant acts of worship that bring a Muslim closer to his Lord. In this article, I have read many Hadiths of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and numerous noble verses from the Quran, the words of our Lord Almighty, which highlight and explain the importance of reciting and understanding the Quran correctly.
There is no way to understand it except by learning the rules of Tajweed, which clarifies the meaning and explains the intent of the verses and the meaning of the words.
So do not spare any effort or waste any time in learning the Quran and its sciences, so that we, together with you, may be among those for whom the Quran will intercede with their Lord on the Day of Judgment, God willing.
