THE BEST ARE THOSE WHO LEARN QURAN AND TEACH OTHERS
To recite the holy Quran correctly each one of us must learn “TAJWEED” because if we don’t care about it then there are high chances of making mistakes and meaning could be changed. So it is very important to learn proper “TAJWEED” to recite the holy Quran as well as offer Prayer (Salat) correctly. Here I am trying to teach some points which may help you to learn proper “TAJWEED”.
1. Air/Sound coming from our mouth is called ORAL CAVITY
2. Air/Sound coming from our nose is called NASAL CAVITY
3. There are four parts of upper TOUNGE: (From point to back)
i) TIP
ii) Blade
iii) Back
iv) Root
4. There are four parts of upper portion of inside MOUTH:
i) In our mouth front two upper central teeth are called
CENTRAL INCISORS
ii). Just behind the Central Incisors (touching the teeth) part is called ALVEOLAR RIDGE
iii). After Alveolar Ridge the part is called HARD PALATE
iv). After Hard Palate the last part is called SOFT PALATE
5. There are three parts of THROAT: (From up to down)
i) Part one FIRST THROAT
ii) Part two MIDDLE THROAT
iii) Part three LAST THROAT
These are the basic tools/parts which are used while reciting with proper TAJWEED.
LESSON ONE
Now we will learn how to pronounce letters.
ALIF
Open oral cavity, sound coming directly from lungs without any construction.
(Makhraj: Aaaaaa (with open mouth)
WAO
Open oral cavity. Lips are rounded without any construction, sound coming directly from lungs.
(Makhraj: Ooooo (with round lips)
YAA
Blade (second part) of tongue forms construction with hard Palate. Tongue is initially far forward and high in the mouth subsequently moves towards the position for the YAA sound.
(Makhraj: Eeeeeee (with slight open mouth)
(Always join Alif zabar with any letter to find correct pronunciation. Like Alif Waw zabar “Aoooooo”, Alif Yaa zabar “Ayeeee”)
In our 2nd lesson we will continue to see how other letters are pronounced using above tools. Please don’t hesitate to write me if there is any confusion.
Please forward this to as many muslims as possible.
LESSON TWO
BAA
Closed jaw position. Lips closed from wet side. Tongue unconstrained. Lips come together, make a complete closure completely blocking the passage of air. Air pressure builds up behind the closure and when closure is released burst of air escapes.
(Makhraj: Baa(with closed lips from wet side)
MEEM
Lips closed from dry side. Same as BAA except port is open thus air escapes through port into nasal cavity giving the nasal quality.
(Makhraj: Mmm (with closed lips from dry side giving nasal activity)
FAA
Inner boarder of lower lips joins with lower boarder of upper incisors. Friction noise is generated by forcing air through the construction formed by the lower lips & upper teeth. The noise will be quite weak.
(Makhraj: Ffff)
SAA
Tongue tip touches edge of upper incisors. Friction noise is generated as air flows through the narrow construction created by the tongue tip and edge of the incisors. Weak intensity sound
(Makhraj: Ssss)
ZAAL
Same as SAA except a little behind the tip touches with more pressure of tongue because there is blockage of air flow at the time of construction. Weak intensity sound.
(Makhraj: Zzz)
ZHAA
Same as SAA and ZAAL except there is more pressure and the tongue is rounded and thickened.
(Makhraj: Zhaa)
LESSON THREE
ZAA
Tip of tongue touches the edges of upper & lower central incisors when they meet approximately but without touching. Somewhat more towards the lower incisors. Friction noise is generated as air flows through narrow constriction created by the tongue tip behind the incisors. Weak intensity sound, light contact of tongue & teeth.
(Makhraj using Alif zabar before letter: A’Zzz)
SEEN
Tip of tongue behind the edges of upper & lower central incisors when they meet approximately but not touching. Same as ZAA but tongue tip is flat. Light contact of tongue & teeth. Sharp whistling sound.
(Makhraj using Alif zabar before letter : A’sss)
SUAAD
Same as SEEN but tongue tip is thickened and rounded (same as ZHAA). Very light contact of tongue & teeth.
(Makhraj using Alif zabar before letter : A’ss) (with round and thick tongue)
DHUAAD
Side of tongue (either left or right) touches back upper teeth on the top (upper jaw).
OR
Both sides of tongue make contact with back upper teeth on the top upper jaws
(Makhraj using Alif zabar before letter : A’dhh)
THAA
Tip of tongue touches the alveolar ridge. Constriction created at the alveolar ridge by the tongue, pressure builds up behind the tip and when constriction is released sound bursts out from the oral cavity. Clear & sharp flow of air is felt.
(Makhraj using Alif zabar before letter : A’ttt)
DHAAL
More part behind the tip of tongue touches alveolar ridge. Constriction created at the alveolar ridge by tongue but with more pressure than THAA. Pressure builds up behind the tongue and when constriction is released sound bursts out from the oral cavity. Flow of air is not felt.
(Makhraj using Alif zabar before letter : A’dhh)
THUAA
Tip of tongue touches alveolar ridge. Sides of tongue are rounded. Mechanism same as above except tongue is rounded and thickened.
(Makhraj using Alif zabar before letter : A’thu)
LESSON FOUR
JEEM
Blade/body of tongue makes constriction with the Palate area behind the Alveolar Ridge. Air stream is first interrupted behind the constriction and then released with friction immediately after.
(Makhraj using Alif zabar before letter : A’jj)
SHEEN
Blade of tongue forms constriction with front Palate. Noise is generated as air moves rapidly through a constriction formed between the blade of the tongue and the front palate. Flow of air at place of constriction is very clear.
(Makhraj using Alif zabar before letter : A’shh)
QAAF
Back of tongue touches soft Palate above. Constriction made by back of tongue & soft Palate above. Pressure builds behind constriction, when released burst of air released.
(Makhraj using Alif zabar before letter : A’qq)
KHAAF
Back of tongue touches Hard Palate above. Same as QAAF but with lesser intensity. Release of air with the sound is very clear.
(Makhraj using Alif zabar before letter : A’kkh)
LESSON 5
RAA
Tongue tip points upward & slightly backward in the oral cavity towards Alveolar Ridge. Sides of tongue are raised preventing air escapes from the centre. Slight vibration (rolling) is felt.
(Makhraj using Alif zabar before letter : A’rr)
LAAM
Tongue tip plus a little of Blade of tongue makes contact with Alveolar Ridge. Tongue makes midline closure, sound energy escapes through the sides of the oral cavity.
(Makhraj using Alif zabar before letter : A’ll)
NOON
Tongue tip plus a little side makes contact with Alveolar Ridge. Airtight chamber is created as tongue tip and sides close firmly against the Alveolar Ridge. The Port is open thus the Nasal sound comes. Air escapes into the Nasal Cavity through the Port.
(Makhraj using Alif zabar before letter : A’nn)
AS I SAID EARLIER THRE ARE THREE PARTS OF THROAT. FIRST THROAT, MIDDLE THROAT & LAST THROAT (From up to down). THERE ARE SIX LETTERS PRONOUNCED BY THROAT (THROAT LETTERS) WHICH ARE AS FOLLOWS:
FIRST THROAT
GHAIN
KHAA
MIDDLE THROAT
AIN
HAA
LAST THROAT
HAMZA
HA (Round or with Two Eyes shape)
Though it is difficult to learn TAJWEED through reading material but I hope by seeing attachments regarding proper placing of mouth parts you will be able to learn it easily. Please contact some expert for understanding clear Makhraj of letters. Suggestions/comments are most welcome. Alhamdulillah now letters have been completed. In our next lesson we will learn some basic rules of reciting holy Quran InshAllah.
LESSON SIX
RULES FOR RECITING HOLY QURAN WITH TAJWEED
HARAKAT
Signs on letters are called Harakat. The Letter which has Haraka is called MUTAHARRIK. There are three Harakat.
FATTAH (Zabar)
KASARA (Zer)
DHAMMA (Pesh)
FATTAH & DHAMMA always come on the letter and KASARA comes under the letter. Letter which has FATTAH on it is called MAFTOH, Letter which has DHAMMA on it is called MADHMOOM & Letter which has KASARA under it is called MAKSOOR.
We will pronounce HARAKAT without prolonging and without jerking.
ALIF which has HARAKA is called HAMZA which is pronounced through last throat.
We see sign of small Alif on a letter, this is called Standing Fattah and will be pronounced as a two Haraka (sound will come double than a single Fattah). Similar is the case when it comes under a letter (sound will become double than a single Kasara). Same procedure for Reverse Dhamma (sound will come double than a single Dhamma). These standing signs will also be pronounced without jerk.
TANWEEN
Two Fattah, Two Dhamma & Two Kasara when come together are called TANWEEN. If we are reciting a sentence which is ending with TANWEEN and we have to do Waqaf (stop there) then in case there are two Fattah then it will be changed into single Fattah. But in case of Kasara & Dhamma we will treat it as having no sign (Sakin) in case of doing Waqaf (stop).
MUSTA’LIA LETTERS (Huroof)
There are seven letters which are called Huroof Musta’lia. These are: Khaa, Suaad, Dhuaad, Ghain, Thuaa, Qaaf, Zhaa. These letters are always pronounced with Heavy sound. Lips should not become round while pronouncing these letters. In case ALIF comes after these letters, sound of Alif will also be heavy. (for example: Qaal).
RAA which has sign on it as Fattah or Dhamma will be pronounced as heavy. RAA which have Kasara under it will be pronounced as light. Similar treatment will be done with Standing Fattah, Reverse Dhamma & Standing Kasara if comes with RAA. If Fattah or Dhamma comes before the word ALLAH then ALLAH will be pronounced as Heavy and if Kasara comes before the world ALLAH then ALLAH will be pronounced as light. Same position will be with the word ALLAHUMMA.
TASHDEED
You will find a mark in the shape similar to tiny “w” with round walls. This is called TASHDEED and the Huroof is called MUSHADAD which have TASHDEED on it. Mushadad Huroof will be pronounced with little strength and not soft & fast and it will be prolonged as two Non-Mushadad Huroof.
If NOON & MEEM are MUSHADAD then it is essential to do GHUNNA (Hide the voice into nose and tongue should touch Alveolar Ridge).
IDGHAM
These Letters are called (YARMALOON) Yaa, Raa, Meem Laam, Wao, Noon. If these letters come after “Noon Sakin” or “Tanween” then there will be IDGHAM which means joining. In case of ‘Laam” & “Raa” there will be joining without Ghunna and with rest of the letters there will be Idgham with Ghunna. (For example “Limannyyara” with Ghunna and “Mata’allakum without Ghunna.
IZHAR
As I said there are six letters from throat (Huroof Halqi) i.e. Hamza, Ha, Ain, Haa, Ghain & Khaa. If Huroof Halqi comes after “Noon Sakin” (no sign) or “Tnaween” then we will do IZHAR. Izhar means to show. Tongue will be touching at the proper place while pronouncing and sound will be complete and clear. (For example: Walianaamikum & Wajannatin Alfafa.)
IKHFA
If we exclude Huroof Halqi, Huroof Yarmalon & Letter BAA, the remaining 15 letters are called Huroof Ikhfa. These are THAA, SAA, JEEM, DHAAL, ZAAL, ZAA, SEEN, SHEEN, SUAAD, DHUAAD, THUAA, ZHAA, FAA, QAAF & KHAAF. If these letters come after “Noon Sakin” or “Tanween” then we will do IKHFA. Ikhfa means to hide sound in the nose and tongue will not touch Makhraj of NOON. Tongue will remain straight not at the Makhraj of Noon nor down. (For example: “Anntazakka” “Izannkarratun”.
HUROOF MADDAH
There are three letters which are called Huroof Maddah these are ALIF, WAO & YAA.
1) If there is FATTAH (Zabar) before ALIF it will be called ALIF MADDAH
2) If there is DHAMMA (Pesh) before WAO sakin, it will be called WAO MADDAH
3) If there is KASARA (Zer) before YAA sakin, it will be called YAA MADDAH
Huroof MADDAH will be prolonged till two HARAKA. For Example:
“Afwaja” ( in this case WAO has Fattah and after that ALIF is sakin.
So we will prolong ALIF for two harakat).
“Yarjoona” (in this case JEEM has DHAMMA on it and WAO is sakin.
So we will prolong WAO for two harakat).
“Qareeban” (in this case RAA has KASARA under it and YAA is sakin.
So we will prolong YAA for two harakat).
Huroof Maddah will be read without jerk. Huroof Maddah will also be read in case of WAQAF (stop) like. “Jannati”, or “Hayati”.
HUROOF LEEN
These are two letters YAA LEEN and WAO LEEN. If there is FATTAH (Zabar) before YAA Sakin and WAO Sakin . Huroof Leen will be read with soft and quick sound without any jerk. For example “Waraayeta” & “Khauf”.
LESSON SEVEN
RULES FOR RECITING HOLY QURAN WITH TAJWEED
HUROOF QALQALA
When following FIVE letters appear SAKIN or read SAKIN due to WAQAF then we will do QALQALA. QALQALA means to give Haraka: (Equal to half Fattah).
QAAF, THUAA, BAA, JEEM & DHAAL
If Huroof QALQALA is sakin with MUSHADAD then QALQALA will be more than normal.
IQLAB
When BAA will come after NOON Sakin then we will replace NOON into MEEM.
MISC. RULES
Hamza Sakin will be read with jerck.
If Meem comes after Meem sakin. We will do IDGHAM of Meem and this is called Idgham-e-Mislain e.g. “laikum Mursaloon” First Meem should be Sakin and other will be Mutaharrik.
If BAA comes after Meem sakin then we will do IKHFA e.g. “Wama Hum Bimomineen” this IKHFA is called IKHFA-E-SHAFWI.
If any letter other than MEEM and BAA comes after MEEM Sakin then there will be IZHAR-E-SHAFWI e.g. “Anamta”
There are four words where we will not do GHUNNA on NOON but we will do IZHAR. These are: Dunya, Qinwan, Sinwan & Bunyan.
There are Four Words which are written in Holy Quran with SUAAD but there is small SEEN on it
1) “YAQBIZ WA YABSIT (Sura Baqara)
2) “ Filqalqe Bast (Sura Al-A’araf)
3) “Almusaitron” ((Sura Toor) &
4) “Bimusaitir” (Sura Ghashia)
&nbs p;
In above two SEEN will be read and in No.3 either Suaad or Seen but on No.4 only Suaad will be read.
MADD
There are two types of MADD, MADD MUTTASIL (Big) and MADD MUNFASIL (Small). If after Huroof Maddah Hamza comes in the same Kalma then we will prolong MADD MUTTASIL for three to five Haraka. e.g. “Iza Jaa’a Nasrullah”
If after Huroof Maddah Hamza comes in next Kalma then we will prolongs MADD MUNFASIL for three to four Haraka. e.g. “Inna Aa’tainaka”
