Quran

What is an ijazah in Quran? A clear guide to its meaning, the sanad, the types of ijazah, how it differs from being a hafiz, the requirements and how long it takes.

How to memorize the Quran as an adult, even with a busy life: realistic daily targets, a proven 30-minute routine, how to revise so you do not forget, and how to stay consistent.

If you can read Arabic letters but your recitation still sounds “flat”, or you have heard a teacher say “watch your ghunnah” and were not sure what that meant, this guide is for you. Tajweed can look intimidating from the outside, with its Arabic terms and long lists of letters. But the core rules that beginners need are surprisingly few, and each one makes an immediate, audible difference. Below are the seven essential tajweed rules for beginners, explained in plain English with real examples from the Quran, followed by a simple plan to practise them. What is tajweed, and why does it matter? Tajweed (تَجْوِيد) comes from an Arabic root meaning “to make excellent”. In recitation, it means giving every letter its correct point of articulation (makhraj) and its correct qualities (sifat), and applying the rules that govern how letters behave next to each other. Allah says: “And recite the Quran with measured recitation” — wa rattil al-Qur’ana tartila (Quran 73:4). The Quran was revealed with a precise sound, and the Prophet ﷺ taught it to his Companions exactly as he received it. He praised those who recite well: “The one who is proficient in the Quran will be with the noble, righteous scribes, and the one who recites it with difficulty, stumbling over it, will have a double reward” (Sahih al-Bukhari 4937). That second half is a comfort for every beginner: the struggle itself is rewarded. Before the rules: makharij (where letters come from) Every Arabic letter has a specific exit point in the mouth or throat. Many English speakers merge letters that are completely different in Arabic — for example ح (a breathy sound from the middle of the throat) and ه (a light sound from the deepest part of the throat), or س and ص (the second is heavy, with the back of the tongue raised). Getting these right changes meanings, so it comes before any rule below. If you are still unsure of individual letters, start there with a teacher. Our Quran Foundations course covers makharij from the beginning. Tajweed rules for beginners: the 7 essentials 1. Noon sakinah and tanween: the four rules This is the most important group of rules for beginners, because it appears on almost every page of the Quran. A noon sakinah is a noon with no vowel (نْ), and tanween is the double vowel at the end of a word (ـً ـٍ ـٌ), which is pronounced as a hidden noon. What happens to that “n” sound depends on the letter that follows: 2. Meem sakinah: the three rules A meem with no vowel (مْ) follows a simpler pattern: 3. Ghunnah on noon and meem with shaddah Whenever you see نّ or مّ (with a shaddah), hold a nasal sound for about two counts. Examples: إِنَّ and ثُمَّ. Rushing these is one of the most common beginner mistakes. 4. Qalqalah (the echo) Five letters — remembered by the phrase قُطْبُ جَدٍ: ق ط ب ج د — produce a slight bouncing echo when they have a sukoon. The echo is strongest when you stop on the letter at the end of a verse. Examples: stopping on أَحَدٌ at the end of Surah Al-Ikhlas, or on الْفَلَقِ at the start of Surah Al-Falaq. 5. Madd (elongation) Madd means stretching a vowel sound. Beginners need four types: 6. Lam in “al-“: sun and moon letters The lam of “al-” (the definite article) is pronounced before fourteen “moon letters” (al-huruf al-qamariyyah), as in الْقَمَرِ, and silent before fourteen “sun letters” (al-huruf al-shamsiyyah), where the next letter takes a shaddah instead, as in الشَّمْسِ. 7. Heavy and light letters (tafkheem and tarqeeq) Seven letters are always heavy — remembered by خُصَّ ضَغْطٍ قِظْ: خ ص ض غ ط ق ظ. They are pronounced with the back of the tongue raised, giving a full, deep sound. Most other letters are light. Two need special attention: the lam in the name of Allah is heavy after a fatha or damma (قَالَ اللَّهُ) and light after a kasra (بِسْمِ اللَّهِ); and ra changes between heavy and light depending on its vowel and surroundings. How to practise tajweed as a beginner Common beginner mistakes Learn tajweed with a teacher At Siraj Academy, our certified Arab tutors teach tajweed one-to-one, so every rule is practised on your own recitation and corrected in real time. Our Tajwīd Essentials course follows exactly the order in this guide, and you can meet our teachers before you start. When you are ready, book a free trial session and we will assess your level and build a plan around it. If memorisation is your next goal, read our guide on how to memorize the Quran as an adult. Frequently Asked Questions