Is tajwid of the Qur'an obligatory?
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The questioner : May Allah reward you, O Shaykh: What is the ruling on tajwid? Is it obligatory?
The Shaykh : What do you mean by tajwid in the Qur'an?
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Tajwid of the Qur'an is not obligatory.
The questioner : We heard from the brothers.
The Shaykh : I say: Tajwid is not obligatory; rather, it falls under the category of beautifying the voice with the Qur'an. If one can recite the Qur'an with tajwid without strain or exaggeration, that is better. As for those people who strain themselves, and you find that his throat is nearly torn when he tries to pronounce the haa, the haa, or other throat letters, there is no doubt that this is contrary to the Sunnah. But what we mean is moderate tajwid.
The correct view is that it is not obligatory, but rather a recommended practice (sunnah). The Shaykh al-Islam (may Allah have mercy on him) mentioned that those who pay attention to tajwid and strain themselves in it, this becomes a cause for them not to reflect upon the Qur'an, because the person at that time has no concern except correcting the wording only. And he (may Allah have mercy on him) spoke the truth. He mentioned this in the Fatawa and said: It is not befitting to exaggerate in tajwid, and that a person strains himself.
The questioner : O Shaykh, some of the brothers say: We heard that Imam al-Dhahabi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: Tajwid is a waste of time. Is this statement correct?
The Shaykh : I do not know, by Allah, I do not know about this. But if it is authentic from him, his meaning is that a person should not be overly occupied with it and neglect attention to the meanings.
The Shaykh : What do you mean by tajwid in the Qur'an?
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Tajwid of the Qur'an is not obligatory.
The questioner : We heard from the brothers.
The Shaykh : I say: Tajwid is not obligatory; rather, it falls under the category of beautifying the voice with the Qur'an. If one can recite the Qur'an with tajwid without strain or exaggeration, that is better. As for those people who strain themselves, and you find that his throat is nearly torn when he tries to pronounce the haa, the haa, or other throat letters, there is no doubt that this is contrary to the Sunnah. But what we mean is moderate tajwid.
The correct view is that it is not obligatory, but rather a recommended practice (sunnah). The Shaykh al-Islam (may Allah have mercy on him) mentioned that those who pay attention to tajwid and strain themselves in it, this becomes a cause for them not to reflect upon the Qur'an, because the person at that time has no concern except correcting the wording only. And he (may Allah have mercy on him) spoke the truth. He mentioned this in the Fatawa and said: It is not befitting to exaggerate in tajwid, and that a person strains himself.
The questioner : O Shaykh, some of the brothers say: We heard that Imam al-Dhahabi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: Tajwid is a waste of time. Is this statement correct?
The Shaykh : I do not know, by Allah, I do not know about this. But if it is authentic from him, his meaning is that a person should not be overly occupied with it and neglect attention to the meanings.