Definition of Tajweed and The Principles Govern Sakin Nun (ن) and Tanween

 

Rules of Tajweed (Level One)

Definitions and Principles

Q: What is the definition of Tajweed, both linguistically and technically?

A:

• Linguistic Definition: Tajweed signifies improvement or embellishment.
• Technical Definition: Tajweed refers to the science by which every letter is articulated with its rightful properties and dues, precisely as it was conveyed by the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) to his followers.

Q: What is the objective of Tajweed?

A: The primary objective of Tajweed is to safeguard the tongue from errors during the recitation of the Noble Qur'an, thus preserving the sanctity of its divine verses.

Q: What is the benefit of Tajweed?

A: The ultimate benefit of Tajweed lies in attaining the pleasure of Allah, the Most High, through the precise and reverent recitation of His divine Book.

Q: What is the ruling regarding the study of Tajweed?

A:

1. Theoretical Tajweed: The study of Tajweed’s principles and rules constitutes a communal obligation (fard kifayah) upon the Muslim ummah.
2. Practical Tajweed: The proper recitation of the Qur'an, conforming to the way the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) articulated it, is an individual obligation (fard ‘ayn) upon every Muslim, as far as their ability permits. This ruling is derived from Allah's command:

"And recite the Qur'an with measured recitation." (Al-Muzzammil 73:4)

Q: Allah has commanded to recite the Qur'an with measured recitation. How is this command to be implemented?

A: The scholars of Tajweed, Qur'anic recitation, and reading have reached a consensus that the Qur'an must be recited in a manner that adheres to the specific method in which it was revealed to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). This method was transmitted by the noble companions (may Allah be pleased with them) to subsequent generations, ensuring its preservation until our time. This manner of recitation is characterised by:

1. The precise articulation of each word,
2. The refinement of the pronunciation of every letter,
3. The enhancement of the recitation by granting each letter its due, with meticulous attention to clarity, beauty, and precision.

This approach embodies the essence of Allah’s command: "And recite the Qur'an with measured recitation." (Al-Muzzammil 73:4).

Q: What are the levels of Qur'anic recitation?

A: The recitation of the Qur'an is categorised into three distinct levels:

1. Tahqeeq (Measured Recitation): This entails the careful articulation of every letter, prolonging elongations (mad), enunciating glottal stops (hamzah), ensuring the full execution of vowel movements, and reading with deliberation, tranquillity, and precision.
2. Hadr (Rapid Recitation): This involves a faster pace of recitation while maintaining adherence to the rules of Tajweed.
3. Tadweer (Moderate Recitation): This occupies a middle ground between tahqiq and hadr, balancing pace and precision.

It should be noted that tarteel (measured recitation) encompasses all three levels. Therefore, a person reciting in the manner of tahqeeq, tadweer, or hadr is considered to be fulfilling the command of tarteel.

The Principles Governing the Sakin Nun (ن) and Tanween (تنوين)

Q: What are the rules regulating the sakin nun (ن) and tanween (تنوين)?

A:

The sakin nun and tanween are subject to four principal phonological rules in the context of Arabic orthography and pronunciation. These rules—each determined by the letter following the sakin nun or tanween—are as follows: izhar (clarity), idgham (assimilation), iqlab (conversion), and ikhfa’ (concealment).

 

1. Izhar (Clarity)

Q: What is the linguistic and technical definition of izhar?

A:

• Linguistic Definition: The term izhar connotes clarity, explicitness, and unambiguous articulation.
• Technical Definition: Izhar refers to the enunciation of each letter from its point of articulation in a distinct and unmerged manner, free from nasalisation (ghunnah).

When the sakin nun or tanween is immediately followed by one of the six throat letters (huruf al-halq), izhar is obligatorily applied, ensuring precise and unaltered pronunciation of the subsequent letters without nasalisation.

Q: What are the six throat letters (huruf al-halq)?

A: The six throat letters, articulated from various points within the throat, are:

1. Hamzah (ء)
2. Ha’ (ه)
3. ‘Ain (ع)
4. Ha’ (ح)
5. Ghain (غ)
6. Kha’ (خ)

To aid memorisation, a mnemonic has been devised:

"Akhī hāk ‘ilman ḥāzahu ghayra khāsir"

(أخي هاك علمًا حازه غير خاسر)

Examples of Izhar:

Letter	Examples
Hamzah (ء)	{يَنْأَوْنَ}، {مِنْ إِلهٍ}، {عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ}
Ha’ (هـ)	{يَنْهَوْنَ}، {مِنْ هَادٍ}، {لِكُلِّ قَوْمٍ هَادٍ}
‘Ain (ع)	{أَنْعَمْتَ}، {مِنْ عَلَقٍ}، {حَكِيمٌ عَلِيمٌ}
Ha’ (ح)	{وَتَنْحِتُونَ}، {مِنْ حَكِيمٍ حَمِيدٍ}
Ghain (غ)	{فَسَيُنْغِضُون}، {مِنْ غِلٍّ}، {لَعَفُوٌّ غَفُورٌ}
Kha’ (خ)	{وَالْمُنْخَنِقَةُ}، {مِنْ خَيْرٍ}

 

2. Idgham (Assimilation)

Q: What is the linguistic and technical definition of idgham?

A:

• Linguistic Definition: The term idgham signifies insertion, merging, or amalgamation.
• Technical Definition: Idgham involves the fusion of two letters, wherein the first letter is sakin (silent) and the second is vocalised, resulting in their seamless integration into a singular, emphasised letter.

Q: What are the categories of idgham?

A:

Idgham is classified into two distinct types:

1. Idgham with nasalisation (bi ghunnah): Applied to four letters—ya’ (ي), mim (م), nun (ن), and waw (و).
2. Idgham without nasalisation (bila ghunnah): Applied to two letters—lam (ل) and ra’ (ر).

Examples of Idgham:

Idgham with Nasalisation (bi ghunnah)
Letter	Examples
Ya’ (ي)	{مَنْ يَعْمَلْ}، {فِئَةٌ يَنْصُرُونَهُ}
Waw (و)	{مِنْ وَلِيٍّ}، {سِرَاجًا وَهَّاجًا}
Mim (م)	{مِنْ مَاءٍ}، {صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ}
Nun (ن)	{إِنْ نَقُولُ}، {مَلِكًا نُّقَاتِلْ}

 

Idgham without Nasalisation (bila ghunnah)
Letter	Examples
Lam (ل)	{أَنْ لَوْ}، {أَنْدَادًا لِيُضِلُّوا}
Ra’ (ر)	{مِنْ رَبِّكَ}، {بَشَرًا رَسُولًا}

 

3. Iqlab (Conversion)

Q: What is the linguistic and technical definition of iqlab?

A:

• Linguistic Definition: Iqlab denotes transformation or conversion.
• Technical Definition: It refers to the substitution of the sakin nun or tanween with a mim (م) when the subsequent letter is ba’ (ب), coupled with nasalisation (ghunnah).

 

Examples of Iqlab:

Context	Original	Transformed Pronunciation
Nun	{لَيُنْبَذَنَّ}	layumbazanna (لَيُمْبَذَنَّ)
Tanween	{عَلِيمٌ بِذَاتِ...}	‘aleemunbidhatis-sudoor (عَلِيمٌ مِّبِذَاتِ)

 

4. Ikhfa' (Concealment)

Q: What is the linguistic and technical definition of ikhfa’?

• Linguistic Definition: Ikhfa’ signifies obscuration or concealment.
• Technical Definition: It entails pronunciation midway between izhar (clarity) and idgham (assimilation), preserving nasalisation (ghunnah) on the preceding letter without emphasis on the following letter.

Q: What are the letters of ikhfa’?

A:

The remaining 15 letters of the Arabic alphabet constitute the letters of ikhfa’. They are memorised using the following poetic mnemonic:
"Sif dha thana kam jada shakhsan qad sama … dam tayyiban zid fi tuqa ḍaʿ ẓaliman"
(صف ذا ثنا كم جاد شخص قد سما … دم طيّبًا زد في تقى ضع ظالمًا).

Examples of Ikhfa’:

 

Letter	Examples
Ṣad	{مِنْ صَدَقَةٍ}، {قَاعًا صَفْصَفًا}
Dhal	{مَنْ ذَا الَّذِي}، {عَزِيزٌ ذُو...}
Tha’	{مَنْثُورًا}، {أَزْوَاجًا ثَلَاثَةً}
Kaf	{مَنْ كَانَ}، {كِتَابٌ كَرِيمٌ}
Jeem	{مَنْ جَاءَ}، {فَصَبْرٌ جَمِيلٌ}