Al-Jazariyyah is a 14th-century Arabic poem by Imam Ibn al-Jazari, revered for encapsulating the entire science of Tajweed—from articulation points and letter qualities to complex recitation rules—in just 109 verses. The poem serves as a structured curriculum for mastering Quranic recitation and remains a foundational text studied globally. Learning and memorizing it with the aid of qualified teachers not only enhances pronunciation and fluency but also connects students to a rich scholarly heritage. For centuries, students of the Quran have turned to a single, masterfully crafted poem to unlock the secrets of beautiful and correct recitation. This timeless text, known as the Matn al-Jazariyyah, serves as a comprehensive map, guiding the reader from the basic articulation of letters to the intricate art of Tajweed.

What is the Matn al-Jazariyyah?

The Matn al-Jazariyyah is a classical Arabic poem of 109 lines that outlines the essential rules of Tajweed, the science of reciting the Quran correctly.Formally known as Al-Muqaddimah al-Jazariyyah, which means “The Jazariyyah Introduction,” this poem is celebrated for its concise yet thorough approach. Matn al-Jazariyyah is considered a cornerstone text for any serious student of the Quran aiming to perfect their recitation.

The Jazariyyah Poem in Arabic Text

Below are the opening lines of the poem, where the Imam begins with praise for Allah and introduces the purpose of his work.This is the original Arabic text as penned by the Imam. Notice the beautiful rhythm and rhyming structure that aids in its memorization.

يَقُـولُ رَاجـِي عَفْـوِ رَبٍّ سَـامِعِ

مُحَـمَّـدُ بْـنُ الْجَـزَرِىِّ الشَّافِـعِي    

الْـحَمْــدُ لِلَّـهِ وَصَـلَّـى اللّـَهُ

عَـلَـى نَبِـيِّـهِ وَمُـصْطــَفَـاهُ

مُـحَـمَّـدٍ وَآلِــهِ وَصَـحْـبِـه

وَمُقْـرِئِ الْقُــرْآنِ مَـعْ مُحـِـبِّه

وَبَـعْــدُ إِنَّ هَــذِهِ مُـقَـدِّمَـه

فيـماَ عَـلَـى قَـارِئِـهِ أَنْ يَعْلَـمهْ

إذْ وَاجِـبٌ عَلَـيْـهِـمُ مُحَـتّــمُ

قَـبْـلَ الشُـرُوعِ أَوَّلاً أَنْ يَعْلـَمُوا

مَـخَارِجَ الْحُـرُوفِ وَالـصِّـفَاتِ

لِـيَـلْفِـظُوا بِأَفْـصَــحِ اللُغَـاتِ

Jazariyyah English Translation and Commentary

The following is a translation and brief commentary of the introductory lines, clarifying the Imam’s intent and the obligatory nature of learning Tajweed.Understanding the meaning behind the lines you recite brings the poem to life. It connects you to the author’s sincere intention and the profound knowledge he shares.

1. Says the one hopeful of the pardon of a Hearing Lord, (Muhammad ibn al-Jazari ash-Shafi’i) 

The Imam begins with humility, identifying himself and his hope for Allah’s mercy.

2. Praise be to Allah, and may Allah’s blessings be, (Upon His Prophet and His Chosen One) 

He follows with praise for Allah and prayers upon the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

3. And after that, indeed this is an introduction, (Concerning what the reciter of the Quran must know) 

He clarifies that this poem is a necessary primer for every Quran reader.

4. For it is a binding obligation upon them, (Before beginning [to recite], first they must know) 

Here, he stresses that learning Tajweed is not optional but a binding obligation.

5. The articulation points of the letters and their characteristics, (So that they may pronounce in the most eloquent of languages) 

He immediately identifies the first two pillars of Tajweed: Makharij and Sifat, the keys to beautiful, correct recitation.

Who is Imam Ibn al-Jazari, the Author of the Poem?

Imam Ibn al-Jazari was a distinguished and prolific scholar of the Quran, Hadith, and Islamic history who lived in the 14th century (751-833 AH).His full name was Shams al-Din Abu al-Khayr Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Yusuf al-Jazari. He is revered as one of the greatest authorities in the field of Qira’at (the different methods of Quran recitation), and his work has been the primary reference in Tajweed for over 600 years.

The Importance of Studying the Jazariyyah for Perfecting Tajweed

Studying the Jazariyyah is crucial because it provides a complete, yet concise, framework for all the essential rules of Tajweed in a format that is easy to memorize and retain.To recite the Quran as it was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is a noble goal. This poem serves as the golden key that unlocks the door to that beautiful recitation, ensuring every letter is given its due right and characteristic.

Benefits of Memorizing the Jazariyyah Poem

Memorizing the Jazariyyah poem solidifies your theoretical knowledge of Tajweed, making the rules an instinctual part of your recitation, and it connects you to a classical Islamic scholarly tradition.Beyond just learning, committing this blessed poem to memory offers profound benefits. It transforms the way you approach the words of Allah, embedding the science of recitation directly into your heart and mind.

An Overview of the Chapters in the Jazariyyah

The poem is meticulously organized into chapters, or abwab, that guide the student from the foundational elements of pronunciation to the advanced subtleties of recitation.Imam Ibn al-Jazari structured his work to build knowledge systematically. Each chapter is a stepping stone to the next, creating a complete curriculum within 109 lines of poetry.

1. The Introduction of Jazariyyah (Al-Muqaddimah)

This opening section lays the groundwork. The Imam introduces himself with humility, praises Allah, and establishes that learning the rules of Tajweed—starting with the articulation points and characteristics of letters—is a binding obligation upon every reciter.

2. The Articulation Points of the Letters (Bab Makharij al-Huruf)

This foundational chapter details the 17 specific points in the throat, tongue, lips, and nasal passage from which each Arabic letter originates. Mastering this section is the very bedrock of proper pronunciation.

3. The Characteristics of the Letters (Bab as-Sifat)

Beyond where a letter is formed, this chapter teaches its inherent qualities. It explains how a letter should sound, covering essential characteristics like vibration (Qalqalah), heaviness (Isti’la), and whispering (Hams).

4. The Rules of Tajweed (Bab at-Tajweed)

Here, the Imam defines the science of Tajweed itself. He describes it as the art of giving each letter its due right and characteristic, without exaggeration or difficulty, and reciting the Quran in the beautiful manner it was revealed.

5. Heaviness and Lightness (Bab at-Tafkhim wa at-Tarqiq)

This chapter delves into the critical rules of making a letter sound heavy (Tafkhim) or light (Tarqiq). It provides guidance on specific letters like Alif, Lam, and others in different contexts.

6. The Rules of the Letter Ra (Bab ar-Ra’at)

Because of its unique and variable nature, the letter Ra (ر) is given its own dedicated chapter. The Imam explains precisely when it should be pronounced with a heavy sound and when it should be light.

7. The Rules of the Letter Lam (Bab al-Lamat)

This section focuses on the letter Lam (ل), particularly the rule of making it heavy in the name of Allah (الله) under certain conditions, a unique rule in Tajweed.

8. The Dhad and the Dha’ (Bab ad-Dad wa adh-Dha’)

To prevent a common and serious error, this chapter focuses entirely on distinguishing the articulation and sound of the letter Dad (ض) from the letter Dha’ (ظ). The Imam lists all the words in the Quran that contain a Dha’ to remove any confusion.

9. The Strengthened Noon & Meem, and the Silent Meem

This chapter covers the beloved nasal sound, or ghunnah. It details the rules for a doubled Noon or Meem (نّ/مّ) and outlines the three rules of a silent Meem (مْ): hiding, merging, or showing it clearly.

10. The Rulings of Tanween and Noon Sakinah

A cornerstone of practical Tajweed, this section explains the four essential rules that govern a silent Noon (نْ) or Tanween when it precedes other letters: Izhar (Clarity), Idgham (Merging), Iqlab (Conversion), and Ikhfa (Hiding).

11. Lengthening and Shortening (Bab al-Madd wal-Qasr)

The beautiful rhythm of Quranic recitation is governed by the rules of Madd, or vowel elongation. This chapter classifies the different types of Madd into three categories: necessary (Lazim), obligatory (Wajib), and permissible (Ja’iz).

12. Knowing the Stops and Starts (Bab Ma’rifat al-Wuquf wal-Ibtida)

Recitation is not just about letters, but also knowing where to pause and where to begin. This chapter explains the different types of stops—complete, sufficient, good, and ugly—to preserve the intended meaning of the verses.

13. The Cut and Connected (Bab al-Maqtu’ wal-Mawsul)

This chapter deals with the writing script of the Quran (Rasm al-‘Uthmani). It identifies specific words that are sometimes written joined together and at other times written as two separate words, which can affect how one may stop on them.

14. The Different Forms of Ta’ (Bab at-Ta’at)

Continuing with the science of the Quranic script, this chapter lists all the instances in the Quran where words like “mercy” (rahmat) or “blessing” (ni’mat) are written with an open letter Ta (ت) instead of a closed one (ة), a crucial detail for correct stopping.

15. The Connecting Hamzah (Bab Hamz al-Wasl)

The connecting Hamzah is a special vowel that is pronounced only when beginning a word. This chapter provides the simple rules for knowing whether to pronounce it with a sound like ‘a’, ‘i’, or ‘u’.

16. Stopping at the End of Words

This brief but advanced chapter discusses special ways of stopping on a word, such as Rawm and Ishmam. These are subtle techniques used to indicate the original vowel of the last letter, taught by a qualified teacher.

17. The Conclusion of Jazariyyah (Al-Khatimah)

The Imam concludes his poem with praise to Allah, a final prayer for the Prophet and his companions, and an encouraging note for the student: whoever perfects Tajweed will surely attain guidance and success. He also states the number of verses in his poem.

How to Begin Studying the Jazariyyah

To begin, you should first focus on learning to read the Arabic text of the poem correctly, even before attempting memorization or understanding its deeper meanings.Embarking on this journey is a blessed endeavor. Following a clear path will ensure you build a strong and lasting foundation.

1. Find a reliable copy of the Arabic text with clear vowel markings (tashkeel).
2. Listen to a recitation of the poem by a qualified Sheikh to perfect your pronunciation and internalize the rhythm.
3. Read the poem aloud daily, focusing on fluency and correcting your mistakes with the help of a teacher.

For those new to the science, it’s best to start with the basics. Quranica’s “Learn Tajweed for beginners” Course provides the essential groundwork needed before tackling a classical text like the Jazariyyah.

How to Memorize al-Jazariyyah?

The most effective way to memorize al-Jazariyyah is through a structured approach that combines understanding, repetition, and consistent review with a teacher. This method ensures not only memorization of the words but also a deep comprehension of the rules they contain.

1.. Find a Qualified Teacher

The first and most important step is to find a teacher with an Ijazah in the Jazariyyah. A teacher will correct your pronunciation of the poem itself and explain the deep meanings behind each verse.

2. Understanding the “Sharh” (Explanation) of al-Jazariyyah Before You Memorize

Before attempting to memorize a line, make sure you understand the Tajweed rule it is explaining. Memorizing without comprehension is of little benefit and will be difficult to retain.A Sharh is a detailed commentary or explanation of the Jazariyyah poem, written by later scholars to unpack the dense, concise meanings of each line.The poem’s beauty lies in its brevity, but its depth is unlocked through these scholarly explanations. Reading a Sharh alongside your study is like sitting with a teacher who illuminates the wisdom behind every word.

3. Memorize Line by Line

Memorize only one or two lines per day, focusing on perfecting their pronunciation. Connect the new lines to the ones you have already memorized, building up your knowledge verse by verse.

4. Recite and Review Daily

Dedicate time every single day to recite all the verses you have memorized so far. Repetition is the key to securing the lines in your memory and making them a part of you.

5. Test Your Knowledge

Regularly test your understanding of the rules you have memorized by applying them to your Quran recitation. For structured evaluation, using a resource like Quranica’s Tajweed Test and Practice can help you pinpoint areas that need more focus.

Your Jazariyyah Journey with Quranica

The journey through the Jazariyyah is not one to be walked alone. True mastery comes under the guidance of a teacher whose knowledge is connected by a golden chain back to the Prophet (peace be upon him).At Quranica, we bridge the distance between you and authentic learning. Our instructors are not only native Arab speakers but are also esteemed graduates of Al-Azhar University, the world’s most prestigious center for Quranic studies.Every teacher holds a formal Ijazah in Quranic recitation, ensuring the knowledge you receive is pure and directly transmitted. With years of experience teaching non-Arabs, they understand your unique challenges and guide you with patience and expertise. All this is offered with competitive pricing and flexible schedules to fit your life.We offer a wide range of specialized programs, including hifz programs, courses to learn Quran recitation and learn Quran with tajweed, our prestigious online ijazah course, and the advanced Ten Qirat Course.Begin your transformative journey with the Quran today. Register for your free trial class now!

1. Explore our full range of courses.
2. Enroll in a Quranica course now!

Conclusion

The Matn al-Jazariyyah is a renowned 14th-century poem by Imam Ibn al-Jazari that systematizes the science of Tajweed—the rules for proper Quranic recitation—in just 109 eloquent lines. It is widely regarded as an essential foundation for serious students of the Quran.Imam Ibn al-Jazari, a legendary scholar in Quranic recitation (Qira’at), authored the poem to guide learners from basic pronunciation to advanced articulation. His influence has shaped how Tajweed is taught and understood for over six centuries.Each chapter in the poem addresses a specific topic: from the articulation points of Arabic letters, to rules on heaviness/lightness, nasal sounds, elongations, stopping points, and even how specific letters like Ra and Lam should be pronounced.Memorizing al-Jazariyyah not only deepens a learner’s grasp of Tajweed but also links them to a long-standing scholarly tradition. Learning it with a qualified teacher and understanding its commentary (Sharh) is key to both retention and mastery.