The Quran was revealed to the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) with tajwid. Then the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) taught it to his companions with tajwid, and they taught their students likewise. Up to this day, the scholars of tajwid teach the Quran as it was taught by the Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم).
Why is Tajweed Important?
The science of tajwid has preserved the exact pronunciation of the words of the Quran. This is the purpose of this science and not necessarily to recite with a beautiful voice (as is a common misconception). That’s not to say that one can recite the Quran beautifully without learning tajwid. According to the scholars of tajwid, it is obligatory (fard al-ayn) for each individual to recite with the rules of tajweed, but it is a communal obligation (fard al-kifayah) for a community to have an individual who knows the whole science with all its rules and terminologies.
Parts of Tajwid
The science of tajwid will be split into four parts:
Makharij al-Huroof (Points of Articulation of Letters)
Sifaat Aaridhah (Temporary Qualities, ex. Rules of Nun and Mim)
Sifaat Laazimah (Quality of Letters, ex. Heavy VS Light Letters)
Note: All rules are taught according to Hafs ‘an Aasim from the Tareeq of Imam al-Shatibi