How to Recite the Quran with Tajweed: A Beginner’s Guide

How to Recite the Quran with Tajweed: A Beginner’s Guide
The need to learn Tajweed among non-Arabic speakers is higher than those who speak Arabic. But those non-Arabic speakers always face the problem of not finding teachers to teach them how to correctly read and recite Arabic, maybe because they don’t speak any Arabic or because they live in a non-Arabic speaking country.
Now with the spread of online courses after covid, it has become a lot easier to find a Quran and Tajweed instructor wherever you are located and whenever you want. All you need to do is search for a Quran and Tajweed learning academy.
But after the search, most people always ask, why do I need to learn the Tajweed rules and Tajweed Quran? Let’s start first by explaining what Tajweed is.

What is Tajweed?

Tajweed is the set of rules established to guide Muslims to the correct pronunciation of the Quranic text to avoid any mistakes in meaning while reciting the Quran. Abu Ubaid al-Qasim bin Salam was the first one to put a written record of the rules of Tajweed in his book al-Qiraat.

Why Do We Need to Tajweed the Quran?

Arabic is a language of “Harakat”, meaning that the slightest change in pronunciation can have a great effect on the meaning you are trying to deliver. This is the last thing you want to encounter when you are reading the Holy Quran or any Islamic script.
This is why Tajweed was created. To avoid any mistakes that might happen because those mistakes are regarded as a sin. This is why we need Tajweed.

Is Learning Quran With Tajweed Obligatory?

Knowing the rules of Tajweed is community duty “farḍ kifāya”. This means that learning Tajweed rules is very important  So, if you are a non-Arabic speaker, you should learn how to recite the Quran with the rules of Tajweed to avoid any mistakes in meaning.
If you are a native Arabic speaker and are sure you will recite the Quran correctly with no change in meaning, then it is not necessary to learn the rules of Tajweed. Knowing the text of the rules, either way is not necessary. The idea is to be able to read the Quran correctly with no change in meaning because changing meaning when reading the Quran is regarded as a sin. This is why it is obligatory to read the Quran with the Tajweed rules.

The Benefits of Learning the Quran With Tajweed

● The most important benefit is reading and reciting the Holy Quran without mistakes that might change the meaning
● Your pronunciation will be a lot closer to the way our prophet, peace be upon him, recited the Quran
● Reading the Quran without mistakes in meaning will assure you that you understand the message clearly and with no misunderstanding
● Learning tajweed will help you with reading and understanding Arabic

Is Learning Tajweed Quran Online as Effective as Learning It Offline?

Yes, no difference. Actually, it has more advantages than offline learning. Online Quran and Tajweed learning is so much more flexible in time and easy to access, and after the spread of the coronavirus, online teachers try every day to find better ways to benefit from online teaching and the new technologies.
In Quran and Tajweed online learning, the teacher can share audio with you, share his screen, share and search for the material needed on the spot, and you can record the sessions to revise them whenever you want.

What to Look for in a Quran and Tajweed Online Learning Academy?

● The academy’s instructors should hold a Quran Recitation Ijaza Certificate
● It is preferable if they use the noor al-Bayan method
● It is important to check if they apply the rules of Tajweed while reciting the Quran and not just teach the rules. Practice is key to perfecting Quran recitation.
● The academy should be giving a great deal of attention to explaining the meaning and stories behind the verses being recited.
Understanding the meaning will make it a lot easier for students to memorize the Quran.
● The academy should take into consideration that most of the Tajweed learners are not Arabic native speakers, so their courses should consider that and be tailored to those students.

What is a Quran Recitation Ijaza Certificate?

Ijaza Certificate is a license authorizing its holder to teach the holy Quran and the rules of Tajweed according to one of the seven Qirāʼāt issued by a Sheikh who holds it already.
Holding an Ijaza certificate is necessary when choosing a Quran and Tajweed online teaching academy because it is an assurance that your teacher is certified by a Sheikh to teach others how to read and recite the Quran with Tajweed and teach according to the rules of Tajweed. You can even take ijazah yourself, even if you are not trying to be a Quran teacher!
So learning the Quran with Tajweed is one of the steps to obtaining ijazah
What is the Noor Al Bayan Method, and Why is It Beneficial to Learn Tajweed Online?
Noor al-Bayan is a book designed to be a step-by-step guide for those who want to learn Arabic. This book was written by Sheikh Tarek AlSaid, who wanted to simplify learning Arabic for beginners, especially children.
This book helps a lot with the Tajweed online learning process because it makes the process of teaching the basics of Arabic easier for the instructors and Quran learners by giving them the needed time to concentrate more on learning the rules of Tajweed.
Learning the rules of Tajweed is a crucial part of the process of learning how to read and recite the holy Quran. This is why it should be necessary while searching to learn the Quran with Tajweed online classes.