Recite the Quran beautifully — the basic rules, free
Allah says: “And recite the Quran with measured recitation” (Quran 73:4). Here are the core rules of Tajweed explained simply. Listen, practise and record yourself.
1. Makharij — where letters come from
Each Arabic letter has its own point of articulation: the throat, tongue, lips, nose and the space of the mouth. Learning the makharij is the first step of Tajweed.
2. Noon sakinah and tanween — 4 rules
Izhar (clear) before the throat letters ء ه ع ح غ خ; Idgham (merging) into ي ر م ل و ن; Iqlab (changing to meem) before ب; Ikhfa (hiding with nasal sound) before the remaining 15 letters.
3. Meem sakinah — 3 rules
Ikhfa shafawi before ب; Idgham shafawi into another م; Izhar shafawi before all other letters.
4. Ghunnah
A nasal sound held for about two counts on a noon or meem with shaddah, as in إِنَّ and ثُمَّ.
5. Qalqalah
A light echo on the letters ق ط ب ج د when they carry sukoon — remembered as ‘qutbu jad’.
6. Madd — lengthening
Natural madd is two counts. Longer madd of four to six counts comes before a hamzah or a sukoon, as in جَاءَ and الضَّالِّينَ.
7. Heavy and light letters
خ ص ض غ ط ق ظ are always heavy (full-mouth). The letter ر and the ل in the name of Allah are heavy or light depending on the vowels around them.
8. Stopping (waqf)
At the end of a verse or a stop sign, end on a sukoon. The marks م (must stop), لا (do not stop) and ج (may stop) guide you.
Practise in three steps
1. Listen
Open a short surah on the Quran page and listen to Mahmoud Khalil Al-Husary, known for slow, clear recitation.
2. Read word by word
Tap Word by word under each ayah to see every word with its pronunciation.
3. Record and compare
Record yourself with the Sukon Recorder, compare with the reciter, and send it to your teacher.
The reward is great even when it is hard: “The one who recites the Quran with difficulty, stammering, will have a double reward” (Sahih Muslim 798).