What is Tajweed? The word Tajweed linguistically means proficiency or doing something well. It comes from the same root letters as the word Jayyid, which means good. In order to recite the Quran correctly, it is not sufficient to be fluent in reading Arabic, but one has to be familiar with each letter of the alphabet, know the point from which it is articulated (its makhraj), its sifaat (attributes or characteristics) and the rules which dictate its sound, depending on its position in a word. A simple mistake in either of these could change the entire meaning of a word or verse. The rules of tajweed were recorded by scholars when Arabs started mixing with non-Arabs as Islam spread, and mistakes in the recitation of the  Quran began to occur. As time passed, the Arabic language itself, as with other languages, changed so much from Classical Arabic in which the Quran was revealed, that even Arabs, who tend speak their local dialects, have to study Tajweed. Why is it important to learn tajweed? Imaam Muhammad Ibn al-Jazari, (may Allah have mercy on him) the great Quran and Hadith scholar of the 9th Hijri century, stated in his famous poem that details the rules of Tajweed: And applying Tajweed is an issue of absolute necessity, Whoever doesn’t apply Tajweed to the Quran, then a sinner is he. Therefore applying the rules of Tajweed is an obligation and avoiding major mistakes while reciting the Quran is very important. The Unbroken oral Preservation of Allah’s Word  The Qur’an was revealed by Allah Almighty to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) by Angel Jibrael and the Prophet (peace be on him) would recite it back to Jibreel until he had perfected the recitation of the divine words. Talaqqi and Talqeen The Prophet (peace be on … Continue reading How important is it to fix your tajweed (recitation of the Quran)?