Tajweed is like the secret code to beautiful Quran recitation. It’s all about making sure every letter sounds just right. And guess what? Tarqeeq and Tafkheem are like the superhero moves of Tajweed. They make the letters either light and thin or heavy and deep, adding a special flavor to how we pronounce them.
Tarqeeq is like when you whisper a letter, making it light and airy. On the other hand, Tafkheem is all about giving a letter some weight, making it sound deep and strong. Understanding about Tarqeeq and Tafkheem can take you learning tajweed rules to a whole new level. So, keep reading to master the art of Tarqeeq and Tafkheem!
What is Tarqeeq in Tajweed?
Tarqeeq in Tajweed means making some letters sound thin when you say them. It’s like making the sound light and airy, so it doesn’t echo too much in your mouth. Think of it as thinning out the sound. When you use Tarqeeq, you’re aiming for a certain kind of lightness in how you pronounce those letters.
In simple terms, Tarqeeq is all about making some sounds light and easy, so they don’t feel heavy when you say them. It helps to keep the pronunciation clear and crisp. Mastering Tarqeeq is like learning a special technique to make your recitation sound just right so you must learn these important things in your tajweed lessons for beginners.
List of Light Tarqeeq Letters
In Tajweed, most Arabic letters are considered Tarqeeq letters, known for their light sound quality. To recognize them, we exclude Tafkheem letters (ط – ض- ص – ظ – غ – خ) and those that can be light or heavy (ر- ل – ا).
These Tarqeeq letters always follow the rule of lightness, meaning they should sound light when pronounced. However, three exceptions exist (ا – ل – ر), which can sometimes sound heavy.
Let’s delve into examples of Tarqeeq letters:
- Taa (ت): In the phrase “إِنَّهُ كَانَ تَوَّابًا” (Inna Hu Kaana Tawwaban), the letter Taa (ت) is pronounced lightly.
- Seen (س): In “رَبِّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا الرَّحْمَنِ” (Rabbi As-Samawati Wal-Ardi Wa Ma Baynahuma Ar-Rahman), Seen (س) is another example of a Tarqeeq letter.
- Meem (م): Look at “الرَّحْمَٰنُ عَلَّمَ الْقُرْآنَ” (Ar-Rahmanu ‘Allama Al-Qur’an) to hear the light sound of Meem (م).
Note: Hidayah Network teachers teach Tarqeeq letters in our online tajweed course for proper Quran recitation with tajweed.
What is Tafkheem in Tajweed?
In Tajweed, Tafkheem is all about making some letters sound heavy and strong when you say them. It’s like adding weight to the sound, making it resonate in your mouth. Tafkheem is often talked about as “thickening,” which means the same thing.
Tafkheem mainly applies to a group of letters called the Mufakham letters. These letters sound heavy and create a sort of echo when you say them. When you come across words with these letters, you’ll notice the sound feels weighty, giving your pronunciation more depth.
Also, there’s a close link between Tafkheem and another concept called Isti’laa, which involves lifting the tongue while saying certain letters. This lifting action helps in making those letters sound heavy and impactful.
List of Heavy Tafkheem Letters
In Tajweed, seven letters are always pronounced with Tafkheem, which means they have a heaviness or fullness in their pronunciation. These letters are crucial for accurate Quran recitation:
- خ (Kha): Pronounced like a strong “kh” sound, this letter is always heavy, no matter where it appears in a word.
- غ (Ghayn): This letter produces a deep “gh” sound and is consistently heavy in pronunciation.
- ص (Sad): Pronounced as a strong “s” sound, Sad is always heavy and adds weight to the pronunciation.
- ض (Dhaad): Similar to Sad but with a heavier emphasis, Dhaad creates a resonating sound in the mouth.
- ط (Ta): One of the strongest Tafkheem letters, Ta is pronounced with significant force and heaviness.
- ظ (Dha): Similar to Dhaad but slightly weaker in strength, Dha also carries a heavy sound.
- ق (Qaf): Qaf produces a deep “q” sound and is consistently heavy, contributing to the resonance in pronunciation.
These letters are always heavy, and while they vary in their strength, they collectively enhance the depth and impact of Quranic recitation.
Levels of Tafkheem in Tajweed
1. Heavy Letter with a Lengthened Alif (Alif Maddiyya)
This is the highest level of Tafkheem, where a heavy letter is followed by a lengthened Alif (Alif Maddiyya) with a Fatha on it. An example is the word “خَالدين” (eternal), where the letter خ (Kha) is heavy and followed by a lengthened Alif, intensifying the heaviness of the pronunciation.
2. Heavy Letter with a Fatha
In this level, a heavy letter is pronounced with a Fatha. For instance, in the word “قَتل” (killed), the letter ق (Qaf) is heavy and has a Fatha on it, adding weight to its pronunciation.
3. Heavy Letter with a Damma
This level involves pronouncing a heavy letter with a Damma, such as in the word “غُلبت” (overpowered), where the letter غ (Ghayn) is heavy and followed by a Damma.
4. Heavy Letter with a Sukoon
Here, a heavy letter is followed by a Sukoon, as in the word “يُقتل” (is killed), where the letter ق (Qaf) is heavy and followed by a Sukoon.
5. Heavy Letter with a Kasra
The final level is when a heavy letter is followed by a Kasra, like in the word “طِباقا” (in layers), where the letter ط (Ta) is heavy and followed by a Kasra.
Final Words
As we conclude our exploration of the characteristics of Arabic letters in Tajweed, it’s evident that mastering these nuances is paramount for profound quran recitation. From understanding intrinsic qualities to recognizing additional features, each characteristic adds depth and precision to our reading. Hidayah Network provides an online Quran Recitation Course and an Advanced Tajweed Course for students aiming to improve their Quranic recitation. Through steadfast practice and unwavering commitment, Hidayah Network ensure that the timeless message of the Quran is conveyed with clarity, reverence, and divine resonance.
