Introduction
Tajweed is reciting the Quran in a slow, courteous style with proper pronunciation. An excellent Quran recitation requires learning the Tajweed rules. The Qur’an is the most complete and perfect revelation of Allah. It represents the words of Allah the Almighty. There is no other book that has the same structure and meaning as the Quran. There is a flow and rhythm in the Arabic text giving the Quran a special power and beauty. The message of the Qur’an is not only simple and clear but many verses have deep meanings, the beauty of the language of the Holy Book makes it unique and unmatched.
Why it does matter
The Quranic style of prose is organized and unique to the extent that no one could bring a piece of writing with the same beauty and power. The impact of reading and understanding the Quran is felt and experienced only when a particular style (as known as Tajweed) of recitation is carried out properly. Therefore, Tajweed rules must be followed when reciting the Qur’an.
Let us see what makes Tajweed Quran essential for Muslims and how they can benefit from learning it.
Learning the rules of Tajweed helps the Muslim with reciting the words in the proper way which we learned from the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH). Muslims can learn Arabic letters and sounds. Nevertheless, the sound patterns of their original language affect how they pronounce words, and they frequently struggle to pronounce the words correctly. In order to recite the words correctly, Muslims should benefit from learning the Tajweed rules. This subsequently enables a Muslim to get the most out of the recitation. There are many online Tajweed courses that are useful for practicing the Tajweed rules and acquiring Quran comprehension skills.
The Emphasis of Tajweed in Islam
Allah (SWT) says in the Holy Quran “Those to whom We have given the Book recite it with its true recital. They [are the ones who] believe in it. And whoever disbelieves in it – it is they who are the losers.” (Quran, 2:121)
This verse in Surat Al Baqarah states that those who believe in the truth of the Quran and the message it conveys to humanity are the ones who recite the Quran in the right way to be recited. Therefore, if someone is not reciting the Quran according to the proper way mentioned above, they should check their recitation, and learn how it should be done. So, the proper way is to recite the Quran the way it was sent to the Messenger Muhammed (PBUH), and every Muslim needs to study the Tajweed and master Quran recitation.
Tajweed means to correctly pronounce Arabic letters from their articulation points. Like the English language, the Arabic alphabet consists of sounds that require articulation, short and long vowel sounds, etc. Tajweed represents the Prophetic recitation of the Quran as it was revealed to him by the Angel Jibrael.
How Do We Recite The Quran?
Allah (SWT) also says in the Quran, “And recite the Quran in a measured rhythmic tone.” This means that the Quran must be recited in a courteous, slow, pleasant tone and style with the words pronounced correctly to ensure that the right tone is conveyed. Therefore, the correct way to recite the Quran is in a measured manner by giving each letter its rights from proper pronunciation and attributes, taking all relevant Tajweed rules into account, and applying them to the recitation to produce a courteous and beautiful recitation.
Better Tajweed, better understanding.
As mentioned above, Tajweed or the enhancement of the recitation of the Quran through applying the correct pronunciation rules is not something added to the Quran, in fact, it is something that has been derived from the practical recitation of the Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) which was purposely revealed and inspired by Allah, the Almighty. It’s also Allah who has precisely used the alphabet and words in a manner that reveals the miraculous aspect of the Quran that challenges humans of bringing a similar, which when correctly recited, delivers great effects.
For a Muslim, reciting the Quran with Tajweed is a requirement and not an option. In fact, a Muslim should not only learn how to read the Arabic alphabet but also how they are articulated with proper pronunciation and their characteristics in order to achieve the desired recitation of the Quran.