The word Tajweed (تجويد) linguistically means "proficiency" or "beautification". In Quranic sciences, it is the sacred discipline of reciting every letter of the Quran from its correct point of articulation (Makhraj) while giving it its due phonetic characteristics (Sifat).
Allah ﷻ commands in Surah Al-Muzzammil (73:4):
1. The 4 Rules of Noon Sakinah & Tanween (نْ / ً ٍ ٌ)
Whenever a Noon Sakinah (Noon with sukoon) or Tanween (double fathah, kasrah, or dammah) occurs, it must be recited in one of four ways depending on the letter that follows:
1. Izhar (إظهار) — Clarity
Pronounce the Noon clearly without nasalization (Ghunnah). Followed by throat letters: ء هـ ع ح غ خ.
Example: مَنْ آمَنَ2. Idgham (إدغام) — Merging
Merge the Noon into the next letter. Followed by the letters in يَرْمَلُون (Yaa, Raa, Meem, Laam, Waw, Noon).
Example: مَن يَقُولُ3. Iqlab (إقلاب) — Conversion
Convert the Noon into a hidden Meem with Ghunnah when followed by the letter ب (Baa).
Example: مِن بَعْدِ4. Ikhfa (إخفاء) — Concealment
Conceal the sound of the Noon with light Ghunnah before the remaining 15 letters (ت ث ج د ذ ز س ش ص ض ط ظ ف ق ك).
Example: مَن كَانَ2. The 3 Rules of Meem Sakinah (مْ)
When a Meem has a sukoon, it follows three straightforward rules:
- Ikhfa Shafawi (إخفاء شفوي): If followed by ب, conceal the Meem with Ghunnah (e.g., تَرْمِيهِم بِحِجَارَةٍ).
- Idgham Shafawi (إدغام شفوي): If followed by another م, merge them with Ghunnah (e.g., لَهُم مَّا يَشَاءُونَ).
- Izhar Shafawi (إظهار شفوي): If followed by any other letter, pronounce clearly without extra nasalization.
3. Points of Articulation (Makharij al-Huruf)
Arabic letters originate from five principal areas of the speech apparatus:
- Al-Jawf (The Oral & Throat Cavity): Letters of elongation (Alif, Waw, Yaa).
- Al-Halq (The Throat): Six throat letters categorized into bottom (ء هـ), middle (ع ح), and top (غ خ).
- Al-Lisan (The Tongue): The source of 18 letters from the back, middle, edges, and tip.
- Ash-Shafatan (The Lips): Four letters (ب, م, و, ف).
- Al-Khayshum (The Nasal Passage): The sound of Ghunnah.
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