Teaching Tajweed to kids involves simplifying rules like Laam Sakinah, Noon Saakinah, Tanween, Meem Saakinah, Shaddah emphasis, Madd rules, and Qalqalah for specific letters. Using Quranic Uthmani drawings, visuals, authentic recordings, stories, and games makes learning engaging and effective, building a solid foundation in Quranic recitation.
Whether you’re a parent or a teacher, these insights will help you guide children in mastering Tajweed, enhancing their recitation skills, and deepening their connection with the Quran. Let’s dive into these fundamental questions and provide kids with the tools they need to recite the Quran beautifully and correctly.
Teaching Tajweed to kids involves simplifying the complex rules to make them understandable and engaging. Here are some of the main Tajweed rules for kids, along with simplified explanations since there is no need to bother the children with theoretical details of rules at the beginning:
1. Iqlab Rules in Tajweed (الإقلاب)
Iqlab means to change the sound of the letter “ن” (noon) or tanween (ً ٍ ٌ) into “م” (meem) when the next letter is “ب” (ba).
Here’s what happens:
- The noon or tanween becomes a meem.
- It is pronounced with a nasal sound (ghunnah).
- The sound is hidden slightly, not clear like a normal meem.
Examples:
- From مِن بَعْدِ ➝ Read as مِمْ بَعْدِ
- From عَلِيمٌ بَصِيرٌ ➝ Read as عَلِيمٌ مْبَصِيرٌ
This rule makes recitation smoother and more natural for kids.
2. Rules of Noon Saakinah and Tanween:
This would include:
- Idhar: Pronounce the Noon or Tanween clearly without nasalization. For the Noon, this is when it has a sukoon shape over. As for Tanween, idhar happens when it has the double fatha, kasra or dhamma directly above each other.
- Ikhfaa: Pronounce the Noon or Tanween with a slight nasal sound. For the Noon, this is when it has no drawing above or under. As for Tanween, ikhfaa happens when it has the double fatha, kasra or dhamma successively above each other. Also, there is a condition that the letter is not of those for merging (Idgham).
- Idgham: Merge the Noon or Tanween with the following letter, making a combined sound. Its letters are six: ( ي, ر, م, ل, و and ن). The noon and tanween shares that of ikhfaa in the shape.
- Iqlab: Change the Noon or Tanween sound to a ‘Meem’ (م) when followed by ب.
3. Rules of Meem Saakinah:
This would include:
- Ikhfaa Shafawi: Hide the sound of Meem with nasalization when followed by ب.
- Idgham Shafawi: Merge the Meem with the following Meem (م).
- Idhar: Pronounce the Meem clearly when followed by the rest of the Arabic letters.
4. Shaddah:
A letter with a Shaddah (ّ) is pronounced with extra emphasis, as if the letter is doubled. This means the tongue or lips return to the same position twice in quick succession, causing the sound to be slightly prolonged and stronger. For example, in the word “إنَّ”, the Noon (نّ) has a Shaddah, so it is pronounced with a doubled “n” sound, showing stress and intensity.
5. Madd Letters:
This would include:
- Natural Madd (Madd Tabee’i): Extending the vowel sound for two counts. For example, the word “قال” has a natural Madd where the “ا” is extended.
- Mandatory Madd (Madd Wajib): Extending the vowel sound for four or five counts in specific situations, usually when it has a wave sign followed by a Hamzah (ء).
- Compulsory madd (madd Lazim): Extending the vowel sound for six counts when it has a wave sign followed by shaddah.
(Note: There is an exception here for the light compulsory madd found in only two words in the Quran as well as the beginning special letters of some Quranic chapters. However, this is not to be mentioned for the kids at their beginning journey except in a practical way when they face the word).
6. Qalqalah (القلقلة):
Qalqalah refers to a slight echoing or bouncing sound that occurs when one of the five Qalqalah letters—ق, ط, ب, ج, د—has a sukoon (ْ) or appears at the end of a word in a state of sukoon. This bouncing sound adds clarity to the letter’s pronunciation without turning it into a vowel. For instance, in the word “أَحَدْ”, the letter د at the end has a subtle echo, helping to distinguish it clearly.
7. Waqf and Ibtida (الوقف والابتداء)
Waqf means to pause or stop during recitation. It helps kids know where to stop and breathe without changing the meaning of the verse. There are two main types:
- Compulsory Stop (Waqf Idtirari): When the reader is forced to stop—like sneezing or coughing.
- Optional Stop (Waqf Ikhtiyari): A chosen stop, which can be:
- Perfect Stop (Waqf Taam): When the meaning is complete, like at the end of an ayah.
- Good Stop (Waqf Hassan): Pausing on a word that makes sense, but is still linked to the next part.
- Bad Stop (Waqf Qabeeh): A stop that makes the meaning confusing or wrong. For example, stopping after the word “يغفر” in “إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَغْفِرُ أَن يُشْرَكَ بِهِ…”
Ibtida means starting a new part of recitation. It should always be from a clear and complete sentence so the child doesn’t begin with a word that confuses the meaning.
- Good Start (Ibtida Hasan): Starting from a complete and clear sentence.
- Bad Start (Ibtida Qabeeh): Starting from a word that changes the meaning or doesn’t make sense on its own.
8. Harakat in Tajweed (الحركات في التجويد)
Harakat are the short vowels in Arabic: Fatha ( َ ), Kasra ( ِ ), and Damma ( ُ ). They guide how long a sound should be held.
- One harakah equals half the time of a long “Alif.”
- Two harakat = one full Alif.
- These are used to measure madd (elongation) and ghunnah (nasal sounds).
9. Hamzat Al-Wasl (همزة الوصل)
Hamzat al-Wasl is a special kind of hamza that is only pronounced when starting a word, not when connecting it to the word before.
How It Works:
- In Nouns:
- With “Al” (the): Always starts with Fatha, e.g., الْحَمْدُ.
- Without “Al”: Starts with Kasra, like in special words: ابن، ابنة، امرؤ، اثنان، امرأة، اسم، اثنتا عشرة.
- In Verbs:
- Depends on the third letter’s vowel:
- If Kasra or Fatha: Start with Kasra (e.g., اضرب، اذهبوا).
- If Damma: Start with Damma.
- Depends on the third letter’s vowel:
Difference Between Hamzat Al-Wasl and Hamzat Al-Qat’:
| Feature | Hamzat Al-Wasl | Hamzat Al-Qat’ |
|---|---|---|
| Position in word | Only at start | Start, middle, or end |
| Pronounced when linking? | No | Yes |
| Vowelized? | Always | Sometimes |
10. Rules of Raa in Tajweed (أحكام الراء)
The letter ر (Raa) can be pronounced in two different ways depending on its surroundings:
A. Tafkhim (Heavy Sound – تفخيم)
The Raa is pronounced thick and full when:
- It has a Fatha or Damma.
- It is silent (sukoon) after a Fatha or Damma.
- It’s after a Kasra but followed by an emphatic letter, e.g., قِرْطاس.
B. Tarqiq (Light Sound – ترقيق)
The Raa is soft and light when:
- It has a Kasra.
- It’s silent after a Kasra and not followed by an emphatic letter.
- It follows a Ya (soft letter), e.g., خَيْرْ.
C. When Both Are Allowed:
In some rare cases, like in the word مصر, both Tafkhim and Tarqiq are allowed depending on the context.
What Is The Importance Of Learning Tajweed For Kids?
Learning Tajweed in its correct context during childhood is crucial, as this period is considered the golden age for effective learning, deep understanding, solid memory, and a pure sense of perception. Here are some key reasons why you should encourage your kids to learn Tajweed:
1. Creating an early Quranic Environment:
Introducing Tajweed in an effective way to children while teaching them the Quran creates a Quranic environment from an early age. This foundation sets the stage for a better future both in this life and the afterlife, as children grow up with a strong connection to the Quran.
2. Better Understanding of the Quran:
Learning Tajweed helps children understand the Quran more accurately and deeply. This foundational knowledge enhances their comprehension and practice of the Quran–the ultimate goal of learning any Quranic science including Tajweed.
3. Fostering Spiritual Growth:
Tajweed deepens children’s spiritual connection to the Quran, enhancing their faith and devotion from a young age.
4. Boosts Confidence of Allah’s Grace:
Mastering the rules of Tajweed can significantly boost kids confidence of what Allah Almighty has granted them. Also, teachers should teach the kids to thank Allah for the skills they acquire and not to feel pride in its rejected sense.
5. Enhancing Islamic Identity:
Learning Tajweed preserves the Arabic tongue and strengthens Islamic identity. Prioritizing Arabic learning alongside Tajweed ensures children grasp the essence of the Quran and the beauty of the language.
6. Impact on Personality and Behavior:
Mastering Tajweed shapes children’s personalities and behaviors, making them exemplary representatives of the Muslim community.
7. Boosting Cognitive Skills:
The practice of Tajweed enhances cognitive skills such as memory, attention, and analytical thinking, contributing to overall intellectual development.
8. Instilling Discipline and Patience:
The meticulous nature of Tajweed instills discipline and patience in children, traits that are beneficial in all aspects of life.
9. Encouraging a Love for Learning:
Making Tajweed education fun and interactive fosters a love for learning and encourages a lifelong pursuit of knowledge.
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Conclusion:
Teaching Tajweed to children involves simplifying complex rules into understandable concepts through practical examples and engaging activities. Key rules include:
- Recognizing when to merge or pronounce Laam Sakinah based on its markings,
- Distinguishing between different modes of Noon Saakinah and Tanween pronunciation (Idhar, Ikhfaa, Idgham, Iqlab),
- Understanding the nuances of Meem Saakinah (Ikhfaa Shafawi, Idgham Shafawi, Idhar),
- Emphasizing letters with Shaddah for clarity,
- applying Madd rules (Natural Madd, Mandatory Madd, Compulsory Madd).
- And Qalqalah that adds a bouncing sound to specific letters in certain conditions.
By presenting these rules with Quranic Uthmani drawings, visual aids, authentic recordings, storytelling, interactive games, and consistent practice, children can grasp Tajweed effectively and enjoyably, fostering a strong foundation in Quranic recitation from an early age.
