In what order should I learn Tajweed?
We teach six stages, each building on the one before:
Points of articulation (makharij)
The hard letters for non-Arabs: ḥ, ʿ, q, ḍ, ẓ
Noon sakinah and tanween
Iẓhār, idghām, iqlāb and ikhfāʾ
Meem sakinah
Ikhfāʾ shafawī, idghām and iẓhār shafawī
Qalqalah
The echoing letters «qutb jad» and their levels
Heavy and light letters
Tafkhīm and tarqīq: the letter rāʾ and the lām of Allah
Madd (lengthening)
Natural, connected, separated and necessary madd, and their counts
The detailed lessons are in Arabic for now. In class, the teacher explains every rule in English.
How long are the madd lengths in Hafs?
| Type of madd | Length |
|---|---|
| Natural madd | 2 |
| Connected madd (muttaṣil) | 4 or 5 |
| Separated madd (munfaṣil) | 4 or 5 |
| Necessary madd (lāzim) | 6 |
| Madd before a pause (ʿāriḍ) | 2, 4 or 6 |
| Badal madd | 2 |
In the connected and separated madd, four counts is the more common choice. Whatever length you choose, keep it the same throughout your recitation.
How long does it take to learn Tajweed?
It depends on how well you read and how many classes you take. A student who already reads the Mushaf correctly usually covers the six core stages in a few months with two or three classes a week, then needs longer to apply them confidently in recitation. The teacher sets an estimate after the free trial.
Which mistakes does the teacher fix first?
- Throat and heavy letters: ḥ and h, ʿ and ʾ, q and k, ḍ, ẓ and d
- Stretching short vowels into madd, or cutting the natural madd below two counts
- Dropping the ghunnah on a doubled noon or meem
- Missing qalqalah on a sākin letter of «qutb jad»
- Making the rāʾ light where it should be heavy
Can I learn this with a teacher?
Yes. A written guide explains the rule with examples, but correct recitation is learned by reading to a teacher with ijazah who hears you and corrects you in the same class. The first class is a free trial, and packages then start at $25 a month for two classes a week. Book the free class · All courses
Frequently asked questions
Should I learn Tajweed before memorizing or alongside it?
Alongside. Students start with the points of articulation, then apply each new rule to what they memorize in the same class.
Can I learn Tajweed from books and apps alone?
Books explain the rule but cannot hear you. Tajweed is learned by listening to and reciting to a teacher who corrects you, which is why an ijazah rests on reciting to a sheikh.
Do I need to know Arabic to learn Tajweed?
You need to read Arabic letters. If you can't yet, start with the Noorani Qaida, which teaches reading and Tajweed together.
Last updated: