Essential Tajweed Rules Every Beginner Must Know

Learning Tajweed rules for beginners is a first step for those who would like to learn how to correctly recite Quran in a beautiful way. Many students have had difficulty articulating some of the Arabic letters correctly, knowing where to stop, or how long to stretch a sound correctly, if that is you; don’t worry, it is very common. Many of us distracted and busy people have experienced it, and now is not time to feel over whelmed.

By learning step by step; using simple rules and knowing that improvement can come with just a few minutes of practice each day, you can build on your recitation and gradually improve!

What is Tajweed?

Tajweed is derived from the Arabic root “j-w-d”, this root means to make better or to improve. Tajweed represents the set of rules that govern the correct articulation of each letter in the Quran, from its correct articulation point and with its correct characteristics.

What is the importance of Tajweed?

Tajweed is a way to assure that the words of Allah are not mispronounced and the meaning is preserved. For example, the letter ص (Saad) if changed to س (Seen) changes the whole word.

That is why the early scholars started Tajweed as a science so Muslims all over the world can recite exactly how it was revealed to the messenger of Allah, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

Tajweed Rules for Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide

Basic Tajweed rules for beginners may seem daunting at first, like a mountain to climb; don’t worry, if you take it step-by-step, it will seem manageable, and you may even love it!

Below are the most important rules and pronunciation guide for beginners with Quranic examples, plus easy tips, and quick exercises that you could easily practice each day, even if you don’t have a lot of time.

1. Makharij al-Huroof (The points of articulation)

One of the most important Tajweed rules for beginners is knowing where each Arabic letter comes from. These points of articulation allow each letter pronounced correctly. For instance:

ق (Qaaf) is from the back of the tongue near the soft palate.

ك (Kaaf) is from the middle of the tongue.

Here are the articulation points of each letter:

Jawf: Madd letters (ا, و, ي).

Throat: ء, ه, ع, ح, غ, خ.

Tongue: ق, ك, ج, ش, ي, ض, ل, ن, ر, ط, د, ت, ص, ز, س, ظ, ذ, ث.

Lips: ف, ب, م, و.

Nose: Ghunnah (ن, م).

 Practice Exercise: Stand in front of a mirror, say Qaaf (ق) and Kaaf (ك) slowly, and notice the difference in tongue placement. Repeat the following verse three times focusing on ق.

قَدْ أَفْلَحَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ

Qad aflaha al-mu’minoon

“Successful indeed are the believers.” (Surah Al-Mu’minoon 23:1)

2. Ghunnah (Nasal Sound)

Another essential Tajweed rule for beginners is Ghunnah, a nasal sound produced with ن (Noon) and م (Meem) when they have Shaddah or appear in certain rules.

Example:

إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ

Innahu huwa As-Samee‘ul Baseer

“Indeed, He alone is the All-Hearing, All-Seeing.” (Surah Al-Isra 17:1)

Practice Exercise: Hold the نّ sound in Inna for 2 counts through your nose. Repeat 5 times until the nasalization feels natural.

3. Idgham (Merging Letters)

Idgham is one of the common Tajweed rules for beginners where Noon Sakinah (نْ) or Tanween merges with the following letter.

Example with Ghunnah:

مَن يَقُولُ (Man yaqoolu – “Who says”)

Here we have Noon Sakinah (نْ) followed by the letter ي (Ya), which is one of the Idgham with Ghunnah letters (ي، ن، م، و).

How to pronounce:

Do not pronounce the Noon (ن) clearly. Instead, merge it into the Ya (ي) with a nasal sound that lasts for two counts.

It sounds like: manyyaqoolu (notice the “nyya” nasal merge).

Your nose vibrates slightly because of the Ghunnah (nasalization).

Idgham without Ghunnah:

Example: مِن رَّبِّهِمْ (Min rabbihim – “From their Lord”)

Here the Noon Sakinah (نْ) is followed by the letter ر (Ra), which is one of the Idgham without Ghunnah letters (ل، ر).

How to pronounce:

The Noon (ن) disappears into the Ra (ر) completely, with no nasal sound.

It sounds like: mi–r-rabbihim (double “r” sound, smoothly merging into Ra).

Your nose does not vibrate because there is no Ghunnah here.

Practice Exercise: Recite both examples, paying attention to how the ن merges smoothly. Repeat 3 times each.

4. Qalqalah (Echoing Sound)

Qalqalah means a “bouncing” sound when pronouncing the letters ق، ط، ب، ج، د. This is one of the easiest Tajweed rules for beginners to practice.

Example:

قَدْ أَفْلَحَ

Qad aflaha

“Indeed successful.” (Surah Al-Mu’minoon 23:1)

Practice Exercise: Stop at قَدْ and notice the echo in د. Try 3 times, making the bounce clear but not exaggerated.

5. Ikhfa (Concealment)

Ikhfa means to “hide” the Noon sound between clear and merged, always with Ghunnah. It’s one of the key Tajweed rules for beginners because it happens frequently.

Example:

إِن شَاءَ اللَّهُ

In shaa’ Allah

“If Allah wills.”

Practice Exercise: Focus on making the ن sound light and nasal without fully pronouncing it. Read the phrase 3 times slowly.

6. Iqlab (Conversion)

Iqlab happens when Noon Sakinah or Tanween is followed by ب (Ba). The Noon sound changes into م (Meem) with Ghunnah.

Example:

سَمِيعٌ بَصِيرٌ

Samee‘un Baseer

“All-Hearing, All-Seeing.” (Surah An-Nisa 4:58)

Practice Exercise: Say Samee‘un Baseer slowly, turning the Noon into a Meem with a nasal tone. Repeat 5 times.

7. Madd (Elongation)

Madd is the stretching of vowel sounds for 2, 4, or 6 counts. It is one of the most beautiful Tajweed rules for beginners because it adds melody and rhythm.

Example:

وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ

Wala ad-daaalleen

“Nor those who go astray.” (Surah Al-Fatiha 1:7)

Practice Exercise: Stretch the آ in dāalleen for 6 counts. Try 3 times, counting slowly with your fingers.

8. Noon Sakinah and Tanween Rules

Noon Sakinah (نْ) and Tanween (ــً، ــٍ، ــٌ) are a cornerstone in Tajweed rules for beginners. Their pronunciation changes depending on the letter that follows.

There are 4 main rules:

Idhhar (Clear Pronunciation): Noon/Tanween is read clearly when followed by throat letters.

Example: مِنْ هَادٍ (Min haadin) – “From a guide.”

Idgham (Merging): Noon/Tanween merges into the next letter.

Example: مِن رَّبِّهِمْ (Min rabbihim).

Ikhfa (Concealment): Noon/Tanween is hidden with nasalization.

Example: إِن شَاءَ (In shaa’).

 

Iqlab (Conversion): Noon/Tanween turns into a Meem before ب.

Example: سَمِيعٌ بَصِيرٌ (Samee‘un Baseer).

 

Practice Exercise: Select a short Surah (for example Surah Al-Ikhlas) and underline all the Noon/Tanween. Practice applying these 4 rules as you recite.

9. Meem Sakinah Rules

Meem Sakinah (مْ) is referring to the letter Meem when there is a Sukoon ( ْ ). The way this is pronounced will depend on what letter comes after it. This is an important part of the Tajweed rules for beginners as it occurs more frequently in the Quran. There are three main rules:

Ikhfa Shafawi (Concealment with the lips)

When Meem Sakinah is followed by ب (Ba), the sound is hidden with Ghunnah.

Example:

تَرْمِيهِمْ بِحِجَارَةٍ

Tarmihim bihijaarah

“that pelted them with stones.” (Surah Al-Fil 105:4)

Idgham Shafawi (Merging with the lips)

When Meem Sakinah is followed by another م (Meem), the two Meems are merged with Ghunnah.

Example:

لَهُمْ مَّا يَشَاءُونَ

Lahum ma yashaa’oon

“They will have whatever they desire.” (Surah Az-Zumar 39:34)

Idhhar Shafawi (Clear pronunciation)

When Meem Sakinah is followed by any letter other than ب or م, it is pronounced clearly without Ghunnah.

Example:

وَهُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ

Wahum feeha khaalidoon

“They will be there forever.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:257)

Practice Exercise: Recite each example 3 times, focusing on how the lips change the sound for each rule.

10. Noon & Meem Mushaddad

Another very important part of Tajweed rules for beginners is learning how to pronounce Noon (نّ) and Meem (مّ) when they carry a Shaddah ( ّ ). Both are always recited with Ghunnah (nasalization) for two counts.

Noon Mushaddad Example:

إِنَّا أَعْطَيْنَاكَ الْكَوْثَرَ

Innaa a‘taynaaka al-kawthar

“Indeed, We have granted you ˹O Prophet˺ abundant goodness.” (Surah Al-Kawthar 108:1)

Meem Mushaddad Example:

ثُمَّ أَمَاتَهُ فَأَقْبَرَهُ

Thumma amaatahu faaqbarah

“then causes them to die and be buried.” (Surah Abasa 80:21)

Practice Exercise: Hold the Ghunnah in إِنَّا (Innaa) and ثُمَّ (Thumma) for 2 counts through your nose. Repeat 5 times until it feels smooth and natural.

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