The Importance of Tajweed.
The dictionary meaning of Tajweed is to beautify, enhance and improve.
Technically, Tajweed means to recite the Quraan-e-Kareem in the manner and mode in which it was revealed to and recited by Rasulullah (Salalaahu alaihi wasallam) i.e. to read with the correct Makharij and Sifaat and also to take into consideration the places of stopping.
Simply Tajweed means to pronounce every letter correctly with all its qualities and apply the rules of stopping.
The obligatory status and application of Tajweed is established through three sources:
(1) Quraan
(2) Hadeeth
(3) Ijmaa (consensus) of the Qurra amd Ulema.
The Quraan
(a) In the Holy Quraan Allah says : وَرَتَّلِ الْقُرْاٰنَ تَرْتِيْلَا
and recite the Quraan with Tarteel. (73/4)
The word Tarteel, according to Imam Raghib as explicated in al-Mufarradat, originally means to put together and arrange well the component parts of a word and speech and make it distinct. The purport of the verse is to say that the Quraan must not be recited in haste, but in a leisurely manner, distinctly, deliberately and a well measured tone. At the same time, it is necessary to reflect on its meaning and message. ( Ma`aariful Quraan, vol. 8 pg. 615/616)
Hazrat Ali (R.A.) explains the word Tarteel to mean: The correct pronunciation of the letters and the recognition of the stops.
Shah Abdul Aziz says under this Aayat, according to the Shariah it entails 7 things:
- To articulate every letter from its Makhraj together with its Sifaat (attributes) so that every letter be distinct from the other.
- To pronounce the Harakat (Fatha, Kasra, Dhumma ) clearly and sharply in a recognized manner and not passively as non Arabs do.
- To consider the places of pausing and stopping, so that the meaning of the Quraan does not become distorted by stopping at inappropriate places.
- To read the Tashdeed and Madd fully, because through it the grandeur of the Quraan becomes apparent.
- To raise the voice slightly when reciting alone.
- To recite in a beautiful voice.
- To beg Allah for forgiveness when reading the aayat of warning and Azaab (punishment), and ask of His favours when reciting the aayats of glad tidings and reward.
(Taken from a gift for the Qaari)
(b) In another verse of the Holy Quraan Allah says :
اَلَّذِيْنَ أٰتَيْنَاهُمُ الْكِتَابَ يَتْلُوْنَهُ حَقَّ تِلَاوَتِهِ
‘Those to whom We have given the book recite it as it rightfully should be recited.'(2/121)
Reciting the Quraan as it was revealed means that the Quran must be recited in compliance to the rules of Tajweed. The Arabic alphabet comprises of 29 letters, all of which have to be recited correctly, together with all their vocal attributes. Negligence in this regard will lead one to recite a letter as another, thereby changing the meaning of the words. By doing so, one`s Salaah may also be nullified in certain instances. To correct this, it is imperative that every Muslim should study the subject of Tajweed.(Anwaarul Bayaan Vol. 1, pg. 118)
(c) وَ قَالَ الرَّسُوْلُ يرَبِّ اِنَّ قَوْمِى اتَّخَذُوْا هٰذَا الْقُرْاٰنَ مَهْجُوْرًا
‘And the messenger said: O my lord, certainly my people have taken this Quraan as obsolete.’ (surah Furqaan 25 verse 30)
In Tafseer-e-Usmani under this verse Allama Shabir Ahmad Usmani says: Though this verse mentions only infidels and unbelievers, yet slackness or indolence in confirming the Quraan, or reflecting on it, or acting upon it, or reciting it, or attending to its correct pronunciation, and attending to other insignificant and baseless things turning from it – all these forms can be put under the Hijraanul Quraan( (هِجْرَانُ الْقُرْانِ desertion of the Quraan according to their degrees).
In the Ahadeeth there is also proof of Tajweed
اِنَّ اللهَ يُحِبُّ أَنْ يُقْرَأَ الْقُرْانُ كَمَا أُنْزِلَ
‘Certainly Allah loves that the Quraan be recited as it was revealed.’ (Al Madkhal Fii Uloomil Qiraat Juz 1 pg 108 shamila)
The Quraan had a special way in which it was revealed and has to be recited hence Allah loves that type of recitation.
Concensus of the Ummah about the compulsion of Tajweed.
From the era of the Prophet (sallalaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) up to the present time, all the Qurra and Ulema are unanimous of the fact that it is Fardh to read the Quraan with Tajweed.
Allama Jazri in his An-Nashr, Abu Abdullah Nasr in his Kitaabul Mowdah, Hafiz Jalaaludeen Suyuti in his Itqaan, Hafiz Ahmad Qastalani in his book Lataaiful isharat, and many other Qurra and Ulema are among those who have acknowledged the fardhiyat (incumbency of Tajweed).
This source of proof too, like the above two, is an authoritative one from which ulema have deduced the Fardhiyyat (incumbency) of Tajweed. (Taken from a gift for the Qaari)
