Question

Assalaam alaikum.I have a question concerning tajweed. What I need to know is that if in fact tajweed is FARDH.  I mean is it really mandatory?  I know many alim in Pakistan who do not read with tajweed and have the Qur’an hifz. I bet there are millions of people around the world who do not know how to read the Qur’an with tajweed. Please respond to me stating whether or not tajweed is mandatory or not and why. Thank you.

Answer

WalaikumAssalaam wa rahmatu Allah.  There are parts of tajweed that are mandatory and parts that are not.  The parts that are not fardh are certainly better to read with the tajweed, but as said, not fardh.  There are many Muslims who do not know tajweed, but does not that reflect on our own negligence in reciting the book of Allah as it was revealed to the Prophet, ?  We should not use the negligence of others as an excuse for ourselves not to put forth our utmost effort to recite the Qur’an as the Prophet,  did.  The Qur’an was revealed with tajweed, and has been passed down from generation to generation with tajweed.  We should strive to recite it with tajweed as best as we can and make sure we do not recite it with errors that change the meaning.  Please click on the following link to read what a prominent scholar of the Qur’an and its recitation said in answer to a very similar question. It should provide you with ample information as to what is required in tajweed and that which is highly desired but not fardh.

Link to question about whether recitation without tajweed is haraam or not