Tajweed is the set of rules for reciting the Quran correctly: giving each letter its proper sound and applying the rules that change sounds when letters meet. A printed guide or chart is useful for revision, though Tajweed is learned mainly by listening and reciting to a teacher. Below are free Tajweed guides from legitimate sources, followed by a one-minute summary of the core rules.
The core rules at a glance
- Makharij: the points of articulation of the letters (throat, tongue, lips, nasal passage, and the open space of the mouth).
- Noon sakinah and tanween: izhar, idgham, iqlab and ikhfa.
- Meem sakinah: ikhfa shafawi, idgham shafawi and izhar shafawi.
- Ghunnah: two counts on noon and meem with shaddah.
- Qalqalah: an echo on ق ط ب ج د when they carry sukun.
- Madd: natural madd of two counts, and longer madd before hamzah or sukun.
Each rule is explained with examples in our article Tajweed rules for beginners.
How to use a Tajweed PDF
- Study one rule a week and find examples in Juz Amma.
- Keep a printed chart beside your mushaf.
- Record your recitation and compare it with a slow reciter.