Tajweed Lesson 3: The Levels of Reading Qur'an; and An Introduction Into Isti'adha & Basmalah

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

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The levels of reading the Qur'an are 3:

• At-Tahqeeq

• Al-Hedr

• At-Tadweer

1. At-Tahqeeq: reading slowly and giving each letter its rights and dues of characteristics, as well as understanding the meaning of the ayat.

This is the best method to memorise in as you are taking time to comprehend the ayat and absorb their meanings as well as reciting them with beauty and correct Tajweed.

2. Al-Hedr: reading quickly, but without leaving correct Tajweed.

This method is allowed, and many people use it when revising the Qur'an, but as you are reciting quickly, you will not be able to fully comprehend the meaning of the ayat as well.

3. At-Tadweer: a level in between At-Tahqeeq and Al-Hedr.

This means moderation: not reading very fast nor very slowly, but somewhere in between, still with keeping your Tajweed rules in mind.

Allah سبحانه وتعالى says: {وَرَتِّلِ الْقُرْآنَ تَرْتِيلًا} in surah Al-Muzzammil, ayah 4: "-and recite the Quran ˹properly˺ in a measured way."

Tarteel is the act of pronouncing all the letters clearly, or keeping the teeth "aligned." As we cannot pronounce a letter correctly without pronouncing it from the correct articulation point [or makhraj], this is part of giving each of the letters its rights and dues.

So we say that tarteel is included in all speeds or levels of recitation.

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Al-Isti'adha

Al-Isti'adha is the phrase:

"أعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم"

Which is to seek refuge in Allah from the Shaytaan.

Its rule: to be recited at the beginning of every recitation.

We can read the Isti'adha in 2 ways:

1. Loudly:

• If you are reciting the Qur'an loudly, and there are others around to hear your recitation.

• If the reading is being done in turn, in a Qur'an class for example; only the first person to start reciting will read the isti'adha loudly.

2. Silently:

• If you are reciting the Qur'an silently.

• If you are in solah, you will recite the isti'adha silently.

• If the reading is being done in turn [e.g a Qur'an class] then everyone coming after the 1st reciter will recite their isti'adha silently.

• If you are reciting loudly, but there is no one around to hear your recitation.

If your recitation is cut off by you coughing or sneezing, then you have no need to repeat the isti'adha before you continue reciting, as those things are out of your control.

If your recitation is cut off by conversation related to the reading or the meaning of the ayat, then there is no need for you to repeat the isti'adha before you continue reciting.

If your recitation is interrupted by conversation or any activity not related to the Qur'an [e.g washing the dishes, studying, going to the bathroom] then you should repeat the isti'adha before you continue your recitation.

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Al-Basmalah

Al-Basmalah is the phrase:

"بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم"

Which is to begin any action in the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, Most Merciful.

Its rule: to be recited at the beginning of every surah except for surah At-Tawbah.

[End of lesson.]

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Writer's note:

All praise and thanks is to Allah for the knowledge shared in this post, and may He forgive me for any mistake I might have made in it.

Please feel free to leave a comment sharing your thoughts or concerns regarding this post!

Barakallahu feekum,

والسلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

[Source: Simplified Tajweed Rules of the Qur'an compiled by Sheikha Marwa El Gindy, may Allah reward her always, Ameen.]