A Guide to the Principles of Tajwid

Tajwid literally means 'to improve or do better' and is the knowledge and application of the rules of recitation practised by the Prophet as Jibril had taught him. The rules of the science of tajwid in Islam are obligatory on every conscientious reader of the Qur'an as Allah mentions in the Qur'an itself, '...And recite the Qur'an distinctly."' (73:3).

While learning the science of tajwid is best done with the aid of a teacher, this book provides an invaluable aid for the student of the Qur'an. It contains seven chapters covering the principles and rules of tajwid, including diagrams and tables to facilitate learning.

Khalifa Ezzat is Imam and head of religious affairs at the Islamic Cultural Centre and London Central Mosque. He was born in Egypt and memorised the Qur'an at an early age. Following his graduation from Al-Azhar University, he studied MA [Islamic studies] in the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), London. He has translated over twenty books about Islam into English.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

• History of the Science of Tajwid
• Imam 'Äsim
• Imam Hafs
• The Excellence of Reciting the Qur'an
• The Reward for the Reciter of the Qur'an
• The Excellence of the Teacher and the Student
• The Ruling on Studying Tajwid
• The Importance of Learning the Qur'an by Listening
• Courtesies of Reciting the Qur'an
• Helpful Steps in Learning Recitation of the Qur'an

Chapter 2

• Introduction
• The Pace of Recitation
• The Isti’adhah
• The Basmalah

Chapter 3

• The Harakat [vowels] and Arabic Alphabet
• Makharij al-Huruf [The Articulation Points of the Letters]
• Sifat al-Huruf [The Characteristics of the Letters]

Chapter 4

• Rules Governing the Un-vowelled Nun and Tanwin
• Rules Governing the Un-vowelled Mim
• Ghunnah
• Rules of the Un-vowelled Lam
• Rules Governing the Letter Ra'
• The Two Alike, the Two Similar, the Two Close and the Two Far

Chapter 5

• Madd (Lengthening) and Qasr (Shortening)
• Tafkhim and Tarqiq [Heaviness and Lightness]
• Qalqalah [Vibration]

Chapter 6

• Ithbat and Hadhf [Affirmation and Dropping]
• Ta' for the Female Gender

CHAPTER 7

• The Hamzah
• Rules of Waqf [Stop] and Ibtida [Beginning]
• Sakt [Pause]
• Sujud at-Tilawah [Prostration of the Qur'an Recitation]