SIMPLE WAY OF TAJWEED

REALLY IMPORTANT

• You must find a Qur'an teacher who has studied Tajweed to listen to your
recitation and correct you. Tajweed cannot merely be learnt from books,
because the movements of your mouth as well as the sounds are important
and only a teacher can correct you and make sure you are applying the rules
correctly. Sometimes local Mosques will run classes. Qur'an recitation is a
science which was passed down generation by generation through teachers
not just books, with a direct line to the Prophet (peace be upon him)

• Find a book containing the rules of Tajweed and learn each rule little by
little, applying it as you go along with the help of your teacher. There are
many concise Arabic books and in English there are some books as well as
tapes to help. Look for books with some drawings showing you how to
pronounce each letter.

• Listen to Qur'an tapes of reciters who recite very clearly, at a medium or
slow speed (like Sheikh Hudhaify or Sheikh Muhammad Hosary) and try
and notice them applying the different rules of Tajweed. Repeat after them
while trying to apply the rules you've learnt. Try to copy their tone and
melody as well and see how it changes as the meaning of what they're
reciting changes.

• Tajweed Mus-haf: You can get a new Mus-haf (copy of the Qur'an), called
Mus-haf at-Tajweed, which has the rules of Tajweed incorporated in the text
of the Qur'an in colour coding! This is very helpful as it prompts you as you
go along. There is also a computer program you can buy with it which
highlights Tajweed rules with recitation.

• Try and apply the rules you learn to the Surahs you have already
memorised and don't become lazy about reciting correctly. You might have
to revise the surahs by looking back at them.

• Practice and repetition will make perfect insha Allah: As Ibn al-Jazaree
says in his poem about acquiring Tajweed: 'And there is no obstacle between
it (learning Tajweed) and leaving it, except that a person must exercise his
mouth with it!'