Tajwid guide
Tajwid means giving every letter of the Quran its due: the right sound, length and manner. The colors in the app mark where a rule applies, so you can see it while you read and listen.
Why it matters when memorizing
Memorizing with the correct tajwid from the start is easier than fixing mistakes later. Use the colors together with the audio: listen first, notice the colored letters, then repeat.
Counts (harakat)
A count is about the time it takes to say one short vowel (or close/open a finger at a natural pace). 2 counts is a natural lengthening; 4 to 6 is a longer one.
Letters that are not pronounced
Hamzat Wasl
هَمْزَةُ الْوَصْلThe alif at the start of a word (for example the alif of ال) that is only pronounced when you start reading from that word.
How to read it: When you continue from the previous word, skip the alif and connect the sounds.
Example · Al-Faatiha 1:1
ٱللَّهِ
Lam Shamsiyyah
لَامٌ شَمْسِيَّةThe lam of ال before a 'sun letter' (ت ث د ذ ر ز س ش ص ض ط ظ ل ن).
How to read it: Do not pronounce the lam. Pronounce the next letter with a shaddah (doubled).
Example · Al-Faatiha 1:1
ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ
Silent letter
حَرْفٌ لَا يُلْفَظA letter that is written but not pronounced, such as the alif after the plural waw in كَفَرُوا۟.
How to read it: Skip it. Do not extend the sound.
Example · Al-Baqara 2:3
ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ
Madd: lengthening
Madd Asli (natural)
مَدٌّ أَصْلِيThe natural lengthening of alif, waw or ya sakinah when no hamzah or sukun follows.
How to read it: Extend for 2 counts (harakat).
Example · Al-Faatiha 1:1
ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ
Madd Jaiz (permissible)
مَدٌّ جَائِزA madd letter followed by a hamzah in the next word, or a madd letter before a letter you stop on.
How to read it: Extend for 2, 4 or 6 counts. Keep the same length every time in one sitting.
Example · Al-Faatiha 1:1
ٱلرَّحِيمِ
Madd Wajib Muttasil (obligatory)
مَدٌّ وَاجِبٌ مُتَّصِلA madd letter followed by a hamzah in the same word, such as جَآءَ.
How to read it: Extend for 4 or 5 counts.
Example · Al-Baqara 2:4
بِمَآ
Madd Lazim (necessary)
مَدٌّ لَازِمA madd letter followed by a permanent sukun or a shaddah in the same word.
How to read it: Extend for 6 counts.
Example · Al-Faatiha 1:7
ٱلضَّآلِّينَ
Qalqalah: echo
Qalqalah
قَلْقَلَةA slight echo on the letters ق ط ب ج د when they carry a sukun, or when you stop on them.
How to read it: Release the letter with a small bounce. Do not add a full vowel.
Example · Al-Baqara 2:3
رَزَقْنَٰهُمْ
Ghunnah, ikhfa', idgham and iqlab: noon and meem rules
Ghunnah
غُنَّةThe nasal sound of a noon or meem with shaddah (نّ مّ).
How to read it: Hold the nasal sound for about 2 counts.
Example · Al-Baqara 2:3
وَمِمَّا
Ikhfa'
إِخْفَاءA noon sakinah or tanween followed by one of these 15 letters: ت ث ج د ذ ز س ش ص ض ط ظ ف ق ك.
How to read it: Hide the noon: do not say it fully, hold a nasal sound for 2 counts, and move toward the next letter.
Example · Al-Baqara 2:3
يُنفِقُونَ
Ikhfa' Shafawi
إِخْفَاءٌ شَفَوِيA meem sakinah followed by ba (ب).
How to read it: Hide the meem with a light ghunnah (2 counts); lips close gently, without pressing.
Example · Al-Baqara 2:8
هُم بِمُؤْمِنِينَ
Idgham Shafawi
إِدْغَامٌ شَفَوِيA meem sakinah followed by another meem (م).
How to read it: Merge into one doubled meem with ghunnah for 2 counts.
Example · Al-Baqara 2:10
قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌۭ
Iqlab
إِقْلَابA noon sakinah or tanween followed by ba (ب).
How to read it: Change the noon sound into a meem and hide it with ghunnah for 2 counts.
Example · Al-Baqara 2:10
أَلِيمٌۢ بِمَا
Idgham with ghunnah
إِدْغَامٌ بِغُنَّةA noon sakinah or tanween followed, in the next word, by ي ن م or و.
How to read it: Merge into the next letter and keep a nasal sound for 2 counts.
Example · Al-Baqara 2:5
هُدًۭى مِّن
Idgham without ghunnah
إِدْغَامٌ بِغَيْرِ غُنَّةA noon sakinah or tanween followed by lam (ل) or ra (ر).
How to read it: Merge completely into the next letter, with no nasal sound.
Example · Al-Baqara 2:2
هُدًۭى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ
Idgham Mutajanisayn
إِدْغَامٌ مُتَجَانِسَيْنTwo letters with the same place of articulation meet, the first with sukun (for example ط then ت).
How to read it: Merge the first letter into the second.
Example · Al-Baqara 2:233
أَرَدتُّمْ
This guide is a learning aid, not a replacement for a teacher. For accuracy, practice with a qualified teacher (talaqqi) when you can.