Tajweed Rules Visual Cheat Sheet
The complete, printable reference chart for all fundamental Quranic recitation rules. Master Noon Saakin, Meem Saakin, Madd counts, Qalqalah, and Waqf stop signs with Al-Azhar approved definitions.
📋 Quick Study Takeaways
- 4 Noon Saakin Rules: Izhar (6 throat letters), Idgham (Y-N-M-W / L-R), Iqlab (Baa), Ikhfa (15 letters).
- 3 Meem Saakin Rules: Ikhfa Shafawi (Baa), Idgham Shafawi (Meem), Izhar Shafawi (All 26 other letters).
- Madd Counts: Tabee'ee = 2 counts, Muttasil / Munfasil = 4–5 counts, Lazim = 6 full counts.
- Qalqalah Letters: 5 letters in the phrase (قُطْبُ جَدٍّ) — crisp echo without adding vowels.
- Click 'Print Guide' to save a clean, high-resolution PDF for classroom or home practice.
Letters & Triggers:
Rule Explanation:
When Noon Saakin (نْ) or Tanween (ً ٍ ٌ) is followed by one of the 6 throat letters, the "N" sound is pronounced clearly and crisply without extra nasalization.
Quranic Example:
مَنْ ءَامَنَ / أَنْعَمْتَ / رَسُولٌ حَكِيمٌ
Pronunciation: Man 'Aamana / An'amta / Rasoolun Hakeem
Source: Surah Al-Fatiha (1:7) & Al-Baqarah (2:62)
How to Recite Correctly:
Touch the tongue tip firmly to the upper gum for Noon, release crisply, and proceed straight to the throat letter.
Common Mistake to Avoid:
Adding an unnecessary nasal pause (Ghunnah) on the Noon sound.
Fix: Keep the tongue contact sharp and do not linger on the "N" sound.
Letters & Triggers:
Rule Explanation:
When Noon Saakin or Tanween is followed by any letter of (يَنْمُو), merge the Noon completely into the following letter while holding a 2-count nasal resonance in the nasal cavity.
Quranic Example:
مَن يَقُولُ / مِّن وَالٍ / خَيْرًا يَرَهُ
Pronunciation: May-yaqoolu / Miw-waal / Khayray-yarah
Source: Surah Az-Zalzalah (99:7) & Al-Baqarah (2:8)
How to Recite Correctly:
Skip the "N" sound entirely; pronounce the following letter with Shaddah while vibrating sound in the nose for 2 counts.
Common Mistake to Avoid:
Pronouncing the "N" sound first instead of merging directly into the Yaa/Waw.
Fix: Direct your breath through the nose and transition straight into the second letter.
Letters & Triggers:
Rule Explanation:
When Noon Saakin or Tanween is followed by Lam (ل) or Raa (ر), the Noon is swallowed completely into the next letter with zero nasalization.
Quranic Example:
مِّن لَّدُنْهُ / غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ / مِن رَّبِّهِمْ
Pronunciation: Mil-ladunhu / Ghafoorur-Raheem / Mir-Rabbihim
Source: Surah Al-Kahf (18:2) & Al-Baqarah (2:5)
How to Recite Correctly:
Skip the Noon entirely; jump straight onto the double Lam or double Raa with crisp articulation.
Common Mistake to Avoid:
Leaving a lingering nasal hum on the Lam or Raa.
Fix: Pinch your nose while reciting — if sound is blocked, you are incorrectly adding nasalization.
Letters & Triggers:
Rule Explanation:
When Noon Saakin or Tanween is followed by the letter Baa (ب), transform the "N" sound into a hidden Meem (م) with 2 counts of Ghunnah.
Quranic Example:
مِنۢ بَعْدِ / سَمِيعٌۢ بَصِيرٌ / كِرَامٍۢ بَرَرَةٍ
Pronunciation: Mim-ba'di / Samee'um-Baseer / Kiraamim-Bararah
Source: Surah Al-Baqarah (2:27) & Al-Infitar (82:11)
How to Recite Correctly:
Close your lips softly without pressing hard, hold the nasal Meem sound for 2 counts, then open lips on the letter Baa.
Common Mistake to Avoid:
Pressing the lips tightly together like a hard English "M".
Fix: Keep the lips lightly touching with gentle contact.
Letters & Triggers:
Rule Explanation:
When Noon Saakin or Tanween is followed by any of the 15 Ikhfa letters, conceal the "N" sound halfway between Izhar and Idgham with 2 counts of nasalization.
Quranic Example:
مِن قَبْلُ / أَنفُسَكُمْ / كُنتُمْ / شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
Pronunciation: Min qablu / Anfusakum / Kuntum / Shay'in Qadeer
Source: Surah Al-Baqarah (2:20) & Al-Mulk (67:1)
How to Recite Correctly:
Hover the tongue near (without touching) the articulation point of the upcoming letter while letting 75% of the sound flow through the nose.
Common Mistake to Avoid:
Touching the tongue tip to the upper palate, turning Ikhfa into Izhar.
Fix: Keep the tongue floating freely in the mouth during the 2-count nasal sound.
Letters & Triggers:
Rule Explanation:
When Meem Saakin (مْ) is followed by Baa (ب), conceal the Meem at the lips with a 2-count Ghunnah before pronouncing Baa.
Quranic Example:
تَرْمِيهِم بِحِجَارَةٍ / يَعْتَصِم بِاللَّهِ
Pronunciation: Tarmeehim bihijarah / Ya'tasim billah
Source: Surah Al-Fil (105:4) & Aal-Imran (3:101)
How to Recite Correctly:
Touch lips together lightly on Meem, hold 2 counts of nasal resonance, then release with Baa.
Common Mistake to Avoid:
Leaving a visible gap between the lips or pressing lips too hard.
Fix: Ensure light, natural lip contact throughout the 2-count vibration.
Letters & Triggers:
Rule Explanation:
When Meem Saakin is followed by another Meem (م), merge them into one doubled Meem with a 2-count Ghunnah.
Quranic Example:
لَهُم مَّا يَشَاءُونَ / فِي قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ
Pronunciation: Lahum-maa yashaa'oon / Fee quloobihim-marad
Source: Surah Al-Baqarah (2:10) & Qaf (50:35)
How to Recite Correctly:
Merge seamlessly into the second Meem with a full 2-beat nasal vibration.
Common Mistake to Avoid:
Rushing through the doubled Meem in 1 single count.
Fix: Hold the nasal vibration for a full two finger-counts.
Letters & Triggers:
Rule Explanation:
When Meem Saakin is followed by any letter other than Baa or Meem, pronounce the Meem clearly at the lips without extra nasal duration.
Quranic Example:
أَلَمْ تَرَ / عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ / لَكُمْ دِينُكُمْ
Pronunciation: Alam tara / 'Alayhim ghayril / Lakum deenukum
Source: Surah Al-Fatiha (1:7) & Al-Fil (105:1)
How to Recite Correctly:
Close lips cleanly on Meem and move immediately to the next letter. Be extra careful not to hide Meem before Waw (و) and Faa (ف).
Common Mistake to Avoid:
Accidentally hiding the Meem when followed by Waw or Faa due to proximity of articulation.
Fix: Make a conscious, crisp lip closure before pronouncing Waw or Faa.
Letters & Triggers:
Rule Explanation:
When any of the 5 letters of (قُطْبُ جَدٍّ) has a Sukoon (ْ) or is stopped upon at the end of an Ayah, create a crisp echoing bounce without adding a vowel.
Quranic Example:
قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ / وَتَبَّ / الفَلَقِ / يَجْعَلُونَ
Pronunciation: Qul huwa Allahu Ahad(b) / Wa tabb(b) / Al-Falaq(b) / Yaj'aloon
Source: Surah Al-Ikhlas (112:1-4) & Al-Falaq (113:1)
How to Recite Correctly:
Levels: Minor (middle of word e.g. يَدْخُلُونَ), Medium (stopping on non-shaddah letter e.g. أَحَدْ), Major (stopping on shaddah letter e.g. الحَجّ / تَبّ).
Common Mistake to Avoid:
Adding a Fathah/Kasrah/Dammah vowel to the bounce (e.g. saying "Ahad-a" instead of a clean echo).
Fix: Release the vocal organs instantly without opening mouth into a short vowel sound.
Letters & Triggers:
Rule Explanation:
The natural lengthening of long vowel letters when not followed by a Hamza or Sukoon. Must be held for exactly 2 counts.
Quranic Example:
نُوحِيهَا / قَالَ / قِيلَ / يَقُولُ
Pronunciation: Nooheehaa / Qaala / Qeela / Yaqoolu
Source: Surah Hud (11:49) & Al-Baqarah (2:30)
How to Recite Correctly:
Elongate the vowel for the time it takes to open and close one finger (approx. 1 second).
Common Mistake to Avoid:
Rushing and cutting the Madd to 1 count, or over-elongating to 3-4 counts.
Fix: Keep a steady 2-beat metronome rhythm for all natural Madds.
Letters & Triggers:
Rule Explanation:
When a Madd letter is followed immediately by a Hamza within the SAME single word. Obligatory elongation of 4 to 5 counts.
Quranic Example:
جَآءَ / السَّمَآءُ / سُوٓءَ / سِيٓئَتْ
Pronunciation: Jaaa'a / As-Samaaa'u / Sooo'a / See'at
Source: Surah An-Nasr (110:1) & Al-Baqarah (2:19)
How to Recite Correctly:
Extend the vowel for 4 to 5 full finger-counts before articulating the final Hamza.
Common Mistake to Avoid:
Treating it like a 2-count natural Madd.
Fix: Look for the wave symbol (~) placed above the Madd letter in the Mushaf.
Letters & Triggers:
Rule Explanation:
When a word ends with a Madd letter and the following word begins with a Hamza. Permissible elongation of 4 to 5 counts in standard Hafs recitation.
Quranic Example:
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا / إِنَّآ أَعْطَيْنَٰكَ / فِىٓ أَنفُسِكُمْ
Pronunciation: Yaaa-ayyuhal / Innaaa a'taynaak / Feeee anfusikum
Source: Surah Al-Kawthar (108:1) & Al-Kafirun (109:1)
How to Recite Correctly:
Extend for 4 to 5 counts during continuous recitation. If you pause on the first word, return to 2 counts.
Common Mistake to Avoid:
Holding it for 4 counts when stopping at the end of the first word.
Fix: When pausing on the word itself (e.g. "Innaa"), drop elongation back to 2 counts.
Letters & Triggers:
Rule Explanation:
When a Madd letter is followed by a permanent Sukoon or Shaddah in the same word or letter. Mandatory 6 full counts across all recitation schools.
Quranic Example:
وَلَا الضَّآلِّينَ / الحَآقَّةُ / الٓمٓ / قٓ / صٓ
Pronunciation: Wa lad-Dhaaaalleen / Al-Haaaqqah / Alif-Laaam-Meeem
Source: Surah Al-Fatiha (1:7) & Al-Haqqah (69:1)
How to Recite Correctly:
Hold for 6 full counts (approx. 3–4 seconds). If followed by Shaddah, emphasize the pressure (*Nabrah*) on the doubled letter.
Common Mistake to Avoid:
Cutting the Madd short to 3-4 counts due to breath exhaustion.
Fix: Take a deep breath before verses containing Madd Lazim.
Letters & Triggers:
Rule Explanation:
Heavy letters require elevating the posterior tongue to produce a deep, resonant, full-mouth sound. Light letters require flattening the tongue for a thin, flat sound.
Quranic Example:
الصِّرَاطَ / خَالِدِينَ / وَلَا الضَّآلِّينَ
Pronunciation: As-Siraat / Khaalideen / Wa lad-Dhaalleen
Source: Surah Al-Fatiha (1:6-7)
How to Recite Correctly:
Elevate back of tongue for heavy letters without rounding the lips. Keep mouth shape smiling/flat for light letters like Taa (ت) and Seen (س).
Common Mistake to Avoid:
Rounding the lips forward into an "O" shape to make letters sound heavy.
Fix: Tafkheem comes from tongue elevation in the back of the mouth, not lip rounding.
Letters & Triggers:
Rule Explanation:
Stop signs guide reciters on where to pause for breath while preserving the authentic divine meaning of the verses.
Quranic Example:
مـ (لازم) / لا (ممنوع) / ج (جائز) / صلى (الوصل أولى) / قلى (الوقف أولى)
Pronunciation: Meem (Must stop), Laa (Do not stop), Jeem (Permissible), Salaa (Better to continue), Qalaa (Better to stop)
Source: Throughout the Holy Quran
How to Recite Correctly:
When stopping on any word, always silence the final short vowel into a Sukoon. If stopping on Tanween Fathah (ً), convert it into a 2-count Alif.
Common Mistake to Avoid:
Pronouncing the final short vowel when stopping (e.g. saying "Al-Hamdu lillahi Rabbil 'Aalameen-a" instead of "'Aalameen").
Fix: Silence the final vowel mark whenever you pause for breath.
Tajweed Master Summary Chart
Quick reference matrix showing letter counts, Ghunnah durations, and primary rules at a glance.
| Rule Category | Rule Name | Letters | Ghunnah / Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Noon Saakin & Tanween | Izhar Halqi | ء هـ ع ح غ خ (6) | 0 counts (Clear) |
| Idgham (Ghunnah / No Ghunnah) | ي ن م و (4) / ل ر (2) | 2 counts / 0 counts | |
| Iqlab | ب (1) | 2 counts (Change to Meem) | |
| Ikhfa Haqiqi | ت ث ج د ذ ز س ش ص ض ط ظ ف ق ك (15) | 2 counts (Nasal Concealment) | |
| Meem Saakin | Ikhfa Shafawi | ب (1) | 2 counts (Hidden at lips) |
| Idgham Shafawi | م (1) | 2 counts (Merged Meems) | |
| Izhar Shafawi | All other 26 letters | 0 counts (Clear at lips) | |
| Qalqalah | Echo Bounce | ق ط ب ج د (قطب جد) | Minor / Medium / Major |
| Madd (Elongation) | Madd Tabee'ee (Natural) | ا و ي | 2 Counts |
| Muttasil / Munfasil | Madd letter + Hamza | 4 to 5 Counts | |
| Madd Lazim (Compulsory) | Madd letter + Sukoon/Shaddah | 6 Full Counts |
Frequently Asked Questions About Tajweed Rules
What is the easiest order to learn Tajweed rules?
Start with Makharij (letter articulation) and Harakat, progress to Noon Saakin and Tanween rules, then master Meem Saakin, Qalqalah, and finish with the various categories of Madd (elongation).
Why can't Tajweed be learned from books alone?
Tajweed is an auditory and phonetic discipline. A book explains the rule definitions, but only a human teacher with an unbroken chain of transmission (Ijazah) can listen to your recitation and correct subtle mouth positioning, nasalization duration, and breath control in real time.
What is the difference between Izhar and Ikhfa?
In Izhar, the "N" sound is pronounced crisply and completely with the tongue tip touching the upper gum. In Ikhfa, the "N" sound is concealed halfway, with the tongue floating freely in the mouth while 75% of sound resonates through the nose for 2 counts.
How is one count (Harakah) measured in Tajweed?
Historically, scholars measure 1 count as the time taken to open or close a finger at an unhurried, measured pace (approximately half a second). Natural Madd (Tabee'ee) requires 2 counts (approx. 1 second), and Madd Lazim requires 6 counts (approx. 3 seconds).
How do I get my Tajweed recitation tested by a certified scholar?
You can book a free 30-minute 1-on-1 assessment lesson with an Al-Azhar certified tutor at Quran In Depth. Your tutor will listen to your recitation and provide a personalized error correction report.
Get Your Tajweed Recitation Evaluated Live
Practice these rules with an Al-Azhar certified tutor. Receive live pronunciation correction in a free 1-on-1 trial lesson.