Tajwid
Rules for correct Quranic pronunciation, derived from the Prophet Muhammad's recitation.
Tajwid (Arabic: تجويد, romanized: tajwīd, lit. 'elocution') is a set of rules for the correct pronunciation of the letters of the Quran with all their qualities, applying various traditional methods of recitation known as qira'at. The system began in the third century of Hijra (9th century) under the Abbasid Caliphate, when errors in pronunciation increased due to the entry of many non-Arab Muslims into Islam, leading scholars to write the rules of intonation.
- field
- Quranic recitation and phonetics
- known_for
- Systematizing rules for correct pronunciation of the Quran
- central_verse
- Quran 73:4: '...and recite the Qur'an with measured recitation'
Lore & Background
The history of Quranic recitation is tied to the history of qira'at, as each reciter had their own set of tajwid rules, with much overlap between them.
Reader's Guide
Tajwid is significant as a system that preserves the pronunciation of Quranic words as pronounced by the Islamic prophet Muhammad, ensuring accuracy in recitation. Knowledge of the actual tajwid rules is a community duty (farḍ al-kifāya), with a difference of opinion on individual obligation: Sheikh Zakariyya al-Ansari stated that reciting in a way that changes meaning or grammar is sinful, but clear errors that do not change these are not sinful. The central Quranic verse (73:4) commands measured recitation (tartīl), and hadith emphasize careful articulation and prolongation. The system includes rules for emission points (17 makhārij al-ḥurūf), thickness and thinness of consonants (tafkhīm and tarqīq), prolongation (madd), and the treatment of nūn sākinah and tanwīn (iẓhār, iqlāb, idghām, ikhfāʼ). These rules have been transmitted through generations of reciters, with key scholars like Abu Ubaid, Ibn Mujāhid, Al-Shatibi, and Ibn al-Jazari codifying them into written works that remain major references.
Did You Know?
- The Arabic definite article al- is pronounced differently depending on whether the following letter is 'solar' (assimilated) or 'lunar' (pronounced).
- There are 17 emission points (makhārij al-ḥurūf) for the letters, located in the throat, tongue, lips, nose, and mouth.
- The word tartīl in Quran 73:4 means to articulate slowly, carefully, and precisely.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tajwid?
Tajwid is a codified system of phonetic rules governing how the Quran should be recited, covering letter articulation, elongation, and intonation. It organizes the traditional methods of recitation known as qira'at into a teachable framework.
Why was Tajwid developed in the first place?
During the Abbasid Caliphate, a wave of non-Arab converts joined the Muslim community, and mispronunciations of Quranic text became increasingly common. Scholars responded by formalizing intonation and articulation rules to safeguard accurate recitation.
What verse anchors the Tajwid tradition?
The foundational scriptural basis is Quran 73:4, which calls on believers to recite the Quran with a measured, deliberate pace. This verse is widely cited as the divine mandate underlying the entire discipline.
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