A classical methodology, with modern tools
We use the recognized Tajweed error taxonomy from the classical science of Tajweed — without simplification or invention.
The classical foundation
The science of Tajweed divides the errors a reciter may make into two main categories, set out by scholars in the standard Tajweed texts (such as Ibn al-Jazari's Al-Muqaddimah and Al-Jamzuri's Tuhfat al-Atfal):
Lahn jali (clear errors): an apparent error that distorts the meaning or the structure of the word — for example, changing a vowel in a way that changes the meaning, or substituting one letter for another. The scholars agree this is forbidden, and the reciter must correct it immediately.
Lahn khafi (subtle errors): an error that breaks the rules of Tajweed without altering the meaning — for example, dropping idgham or ikhfa', shortening or stretching a madd outside its bounds, or imprecise articulation of a letter. Some scholars deem this disliked; for the proficient reciter, correcting it is required.
This division is the foundation on which Maqraa builds its error classification system.
The fourteen categories of Tajweed errors
A detailed taxonomy that helps the teacher document an error precisely, and the student understand the kind of correction received
Makharij al-huruf
Pronouncing a letter from the wrong articulation point — e.g. pronouncing ḍād as ẓāʾ.
Sifat al-huruf
Dropping a characteristic of a letter — e.g. omitting qalqalah or jahr.
Harakat (vowels)
Changing a letter's vowel in a way that distorts the meaning — e.g. ḍammah where a fatḥah is required.
Word structure
Substituting one letter for another, dropping a letter, or adding one that isn't there.
Letter substitution
Pronouncing one letter in place of another more generally.
Tafkhim & tarqiq
Lightening what should be heavy, or the reverse — especially in the letters of istiʿlāʾ and in rāʾ and lām.
Madd (elongation)
Shortening a required madd, or stretching a natural madd beyond its limits.
Ghunnah
Dropping the ghunnah where it is required, or shortening its duration (two counts according to the majority).
Nun sakinah & tanwin
Neglecting the rules of izhār, idghām, iqlāb, and ikhfāʾ for nūn sākinah and tanwīn.
Mim sakinah
Neglecting the rules of ikhfāʾ shafawī, idghām shafawī, and iẓhār shafawī.
Shaddah
Failing to realize a shaddah where required, or adding to it.
Improper waqf
Stopping at a point where stopping is poor, distorting the meaning.
Waqf and ibtida'
Starting from a point that distorts the meaning, or stopping in a way that doesn't fit the context.
Other
Other errors that don't fit precisely into the categories above.
Maqraa is not a substitute for the teacher
Technology cannot — and should not — replace the teacher in teaching Tajweed. What technology can do is lighten the operational burden on the teacher: logging errors, tracking progress, preserving history. The Tajweed judgment always belongs to the teacher.
Maqraa is a tool, not a Tajweed reference. It does not claim to provide automated correction of recitation. Correction comes from a proficient human teacher; the platform only documents it.
Other methodologies — in the future
We plan to add support for specialized Tajweed methodologies via a plugin system. Among those we are studying for future support: the Wiqayat al-Lisan methodology — a specialized approach to diagnosing Quranic pronunciation errors, developed in an academic setting. Adding such methodologies requires licenses and agreements with their authors, and we approach them with full respect for intellectual property.
If you are the author of a Tajweed methodology and would like to integrate it with Maqraa, we welcome the conversation.
Maqraa is built on respect for the science of Tajweed. If you notice a methodological error, please tell us — that is a trust.
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