By Asma bint Shameem
Tajweed is the science of proper recitation of the Qur’aan with the right articulations and pronunciations, and the correct length and emphasis given to the vowels under different circumstances.
The rules of Tajweed came from Allaah Subhaanahu Wa Ta'ala Himself.
We all know that the Qur'aan is the Word of Allaah.
Allaah Subhaanahu Wa Ta'ala SPOKE this Qur'aan to Jibreel with Tajweed rules applied to it and Jibreel alayhissalaam brought these Words down to the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam and recited them in a certain way and he showed the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam the ways in which it was permissible to recite the Qur'aan.
The Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam in turn, taught this Qur'aan to his noble Companions with Tajweed, and they taught to the next generation and so on until it came to us as we have it today.
Since the Qur'aan is the Word of Allaah and it was revealed with Tajweed rules applied to it, it becomes *obligatory* upon us to observe those rules so that we recite it in the way it was revealed.
Also, not pronouncing the words and letters the way that they are supposed to be pronounced may also *change the meanings* of those words.
And of course that a *big sin*.
Now I'm not talking about someone who simply can't pronounce the letters because of old age, race etc.
In fact the one who truly tries to learn tajweed and exerts himself in pronouncing the letters correctly but is not able to do so because of some genuine reason like old age or being of a non Arab origin, etc then he will get DOUBLE reward.
The Prophet sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam said:
“The one who is skilled in reciting Qur’aan will be with the noble and obedient scribes (i.e., the angels?) and the one who reads the Qur’aan and struggles with it because it is difficult for him will have two rewards.” (Muslim, 798)
However, the vast majority of us who CAN pronounce or can LEARN to pronounce letters correctly but don't try or simply don’t make the effort to improve or don't think it's important, MUST exert their best to learn tajweed and not underestimate its importance.
The scholars said:
“It is obligatory to read Qur’aan with the letters with which Allaah has revealed it, with sound Arabic pronunciation, as Allaah says:
“And truly, this (the Qur’aan) is a revelation from the Lord of the ‘Aalameen(mankind, jinn and all that exists),
193. Which the trustworthy Rooh [Jibreel (Gabriel)] has brought down
194. Upon your heart (O Muhammad) that you may be (one) of the warners,
195. In the plain Arabic language”
[al-Shu’ara 26:192-195]
“Verily, We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur’aan in order that you may understand”
[Yoosuf 12:2]
It is not permissible for anyone to deliberately change any letter of it when he is able to pronounce it correctly.
This is a kind of mistake which is a SIN.
If a person finds it difficult to pronounce the letters correctly – such as people in whose language some of the Arabic letters, such as tha’, dhal and kha’ do not exist – they have to try to *learn* the correct pronunciation, but if they are unable to master it then they are excused, but their example should not be followed, and they should be called upon to strive their hardest to learn and correct their pronunciation. And none of them should lead the prayer, unless he is leading others like him who cannot pronounce well either.
Ibn al-Jazari said:
“Whoever is able to read the words of Allaah with correct Arabic pronunciation but he deliberately pronounces it incorrectly like a non-Arab, out of arrogance, stubbornness and complacency, or because he is too proud to go to a scholar who could help him to correct his pronunciation, is undoubtedly falling short and sinning and being dishonest.
The Messenger of Allaah Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said:
“Religion is sincerity: to Allaah, to His Book, to His Messenger, and to the leaders of the Muslims and their common folk.”
But if a person’s tongue will not obey him or he cannot find someone to teach him the correct pronunciation, then Allaah does not burden any soul beyond its scope.” (al-Nashr fi’l-Qiraa’aat al-‘Ashr, 1/299)
It should be noted that Allaah has made it easy to memorize and recite Qur’aan, as He says:
“And We have indeed made the Qur’aan easy to understand and remember; then is there any one who will remember (or receive admonition)?” [al-Qamar 54:17]
Hence we see many of our brothers in the countries referred to who are able to pronounce the letters perfectly, better than many of their Arab brothers.
So you should strive to learn the correct pronunciation and recite Qur’aan with proper Tajweed, and not despair or give up.“
(Islamqa Fatwa # 67586)
Sheikh Shamsu Deen Mohamed Ibnu Al Jazaree said:
1. The practical application of tajweed is without doubt compulsory.
whoever does not read the Qur’aan correctly is a sinner.
2. Because this Qur’aan was revealed to us by Allaah in this form.
and exactly like this (with tajweed) it reached us (from our prophet, then related in authentic chains over generations to our present day shuyookh and those with ijazaah)
3. And it (tajweed) is also a beautification of recitation and an adornment of pronunciation and reading
4. And it (tajweed) is giving each letter its required rights (حَقُّ الحر ف) of each and every characteristic as well as (giving each letter its) presented rights (or dues) (ِمُسْتَحَقّ الحرْ ف)
5. To take every one (of the letters) back to its origin (example: place of articulation) and to pronounce the equivalent letter in the same way (as you would pronounce that letter)
6. Complete (with all its characteristics) yet without any exaggeration being gentle in pronunciation without any abuse.
7. There exists nothing between (applying the التجْوِيد) and leaving it
except for a person to exercise (correctly) with his jaws.”
Thus, it’s *extremely important* to learn the science of tajweed so that we can recite the Qur’aan in the proper manner according to the way it was revealed.
Let me explain WHY it’s so important.
You see each of the Arabic letters have a place of articulation or makhraj from where it has to be pronounced.
Otherwise the letter is not pronounced correctly and it may get pronounced as another letter.
And that might change its meaning completely, sometimes becoming a huge sin.
Let me give you some examples:
Allaah says:
قَالَ وَمَن *يَقْنط* مِن رَّحْمَةِ رَبِّهِ إِلَّا الضَّالُّونَ
“He said: And who *despairs* of the mercy of his Lord except those who are astray?” (Surah al-Hijr: 56)
In this ayah Allaah is warning His slaves not to ever despair of His Mercy.
But if we didn't pronounce the letter ط 'Taw' properly, and said it like the letter ت, it would change the word to يَقْنُتْ which means 'obedient'.
Subhaan Allaah!
What a big difference between the two words!
يَقْنُتْ
means obedient
يَقْنَطُ
means despairing
*Two total opposites*
It could even be words of KUFR (we seek Allaah's protection) if we don’t pronounce the letters properly.
For example:
The word قلب means heart and the word كلب means dog.
Now imagine if we didn't pronounce the 'qawf' correctly in the following ayah, how horrible the meanings would become
قُلْ مَن كَانَ عَدُوًّا لِّجِبْرِيلَ فَإِنَّهُ نَزَّلَهُ عَلَىٰ قَلْبِكَ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ مُصَدِّقًا لِّمَا بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ وَهُدًى وَبُشْرَىٰ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
“Say (O Muhammad Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam):
"Whoever is an enemy to Jibreel (let him die in his fury), for indeed he has brought it (this Qur’aan) down to your *heart* by Allaah's Permission, confirming what came before it [i.e. the Taurat and the Injeel] and guidance and glad tidings for the believers.”
(Surah al-Baqarah :97)
In this ayah Allaah is telling us that Jibreel is sent down upon the HEART of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam with Allaah’s Permission.
Now imagine how evil and distorted the meaning would be of the word قلب if we didn't pronounce the qawf from the throat and instead said it like the letter 'kaaf'.
That would change the word قلب to كلب meaning Allaah sent the angel Jibreel to the DOG of the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam??!
Astaghfirullaah.
Similarly just look at some of the words that may not be pronounced correctly and thus change in meaning completely.
For example:
اثم sin
اسم name
عصىٰ Disobey
عسىٰ Perhaps
عزم resolve or determination
عظم bone
عسير difficult
عصير juice
Surah سورة
Image or picture صورة
And the list goes on.
Not only are the points of articulation important, but the vowels on the letters are also equally important.
Each vowel has its own length of elongation.
If we elongate a vowel where it's not supposed to be elongated, its possible that it can change the meaning completely
Example:
Surah al-Waaqi’ah: Aayah 52:
لَآكِلُونَ مِن شَجَرٍ مِّن زَقُّومٍ
"You “VERILY” will eat from the trees of Zaqqum.
Here Allaah is SWEARING and EMPHASIZING by the letter ل (laam) with a Fat’ha on it that the people of hellfire will surely eat from the tree of Zaqqum as a punishment.
The emphasis is done by the letter “laam” being there.
But if we elongate the laam and read it as لا instead of لَ, then that means that the people of hell fire will NOT eat from the tree of Zaqqum, thus saying the complete OPPOSITE of what Allaah is threatening astaghfirullaah.
And there are many MANY examples.
So my advice to all my brothers and sisters is that they should learn the rules of tajweed and the proper pronunciations and articulations before they start memorizing anything.
Remember it’s *not the quantity that matters*.
*It’s the QUALITY that’s beloved to Allaah*.
So slow down when reading the Qur’aan.
Take your time and read each letter and each word very carefully.
Pronounce the letters from their points of articulation.
Pay attention to the rules of Tajweed.
Then only do we we hope to fulfill the right of reading the Book of Allaah.
And Allaah knows best
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