Tajweed is the art of reciting the Qur’an correctly: giving every letter its right and its due. Many Muslims learn to read the Qur’an but never study Tajweed properly. The good news is that you can learn Tajweed online very effectively, because Tajweed is learnt by listening to a teacher and being corrected — and live online lessons allow exactly that.
What is Tajweed?
The word tajweed comes from the Arabic root meaning “to make good” or “to improve”. In practice it is a set of rules that govern how the Qur’an is pronounced. Students usually study topics such as:
- Makharij — the points of articulation of each letter;
- Sifaat — the characteristics of the letters;
- the rules of noon sakinah and tanween (such as idgham, ikhfa’, iqlab and izhar);
- the rules of meem sakinah;
- madd — lengthening the vowels;
- ghunnah, qalqalah and where to stop and start.
Reading about these rules helps, but you only master them when a qualified teacher listens to you and corrects your mistakes.
Where should you start?
It depends on your level:
- If you can’t read Arabic yet, start with the letters, vowels and connecting letters, then Qur’anic words and short verses. That is stage 1 of our Qur’anic Programme, which takes about 3 months.
- If you can already read, you can go straight to Tajweed. In stage 2 of our programme, students study the Tajweed rules and begin memorizing short verses while being corrected by the teacher — also about 3 months.
- If your Tajweed is already strong, the next steps are preparation for Ijazah and the Ijazah itself, with a high sanad.
How to learn Tajweed online with a teacher
At Midad, lessons are live in virtual rooms with audio, video and a virtual whiteboard. Your teacher can:
- recite a verse for you to repeat,
- show the rule on the whiteboard,
- listen to your recitation and correct it immediately.
A working microphone is essential, so that your teacher can hear you clearly. A camera is optional.
We teach Tajweed in Arabic and English, and we also offer lessons to beautify your recitation and training for Qur’an teachers.
Recommended Tajweed books in English
A well-known book that we use is Tajweed Rules of the Qur’an by Kareema Carol Czerepinski. Other Tajweed books in English, French and Arabic are also used — for example Tajweed Rules by Rania Habib. You will find the links on our Books & Resources page.
Practise every day
Listening to skilled reciters is one of the best ways to train your ear. On our Noble Quran in English pages you can listen, verse by verse, to famous Egyptian reciters such as Al-Husary, Al-Minshawi and Abdul Basit.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Tajweed lessons cost?
Private lessons are $8 per hour (approximately £6.10). Groups of 2–3 students are $4 per hour, and groups of 4–5 students $2.50 per hour. See fees.
Can women study with a female teacher?
Midad has a women’s section, and the head of our Qur’an department is a female Qur’an teacher. Mention your preference when you register.
Can I get a certificate?
Midad provides Ijazat in the Qur’an and can provide certificates certified by Al-Azhar Al-Sharif in the Noble Qur’an.
Midad Institute (Midad Centre) has taught Arabic, the Qur’an and Islamic sciences online to non-Arabic speakers since 2017. Our teachers have more than 15 years of experience, online and in Egypt.
