Music
is a complicated subject. Music – say this word and people have
several opinions and definitions. Some say it's completely haram,
some say certain music is halal if it is only a drum (douf), some say
lyrics are good as long as they are in praise of Allah. Those learned
in jurisprudence are the best people to make a judgement call.
I
don't think the fact of music should be left alone, but we should
understand exactly what we are talking about. For this conversation,
we need to consider a definition of music. The conventional arguments
are all considering types of music played on the radio, heard on the
street and in concert halls referred to by the Arabic term ghina. I'd
like to consider a different idea of music aside from that mentioned
above.
In
the past year I've heard 3 sounds that have never touched my ears
before. My first adhan,
the recitation of the Qur'an and the Imam leading the prayer with an
Allahu Akbar that sounded like his soul was crying out. This is the
type of beautiful cadence I am referring to. Music
of a certain quality referred to as “sama” has the ability to
raise our awareness of the divine. My consideration will be
contained to the distinctness of music which is seeking the
expression and articulation of the heart and the knowledge contained
therein.
The
Arabic name for this type of pronunciation and articulation is
Tajweed:
(Arabic: تجويد
tajwīd,
IPA: [tædʒˈwiːd], meaning "elocution"), sometimes
rendered as tajwid, refers to the rules governing pronunciation
during recitation of the Qur'an. The term is derived from the
triliteral root j-w-d meaning "to make well, make better,
improve".
There
are two needs for the science of tajweed. One is to teach those whose
first language is not Arabic the correct articulation of the
language, the other is to prevent the mispronunciation of words that
would lead to a change in meaning. For example, a slight
mispronunciation could change the word “heart” into the word for
“dog”.
There
are many blessings in reading the Qur'an with tajweed.
"Whoever
recites a letter from the Book of Allah, he will be credited with a
good deed, and a good deed gets a ten-fold reward. I do not say that
Alif-Lam-Mim is one letter, but Alif is a letter, Lam is a letter and
Mim is a letter.'' (At-Termidhi)
Incorrect
recitation of the Qur’an may deprive the reader of any reward in
the Hereafter. There are two types of lahn or incorrect
pronunciation. One is minor and unobvious and the other is major and
obvious. To make minor mistakes is considered undesirable as it does
not alter the meaning but to mispronounce the words so the meaning
changes is more serious and if done intentionally is a major sin and
can lead one to the brink of kufr.
Tajweed
describes how to form letters in the mouth. The second part of the
science deals with the music of language.
'And
recite the Qur'an in slow measured rhythmic tone' (Qur'an
73:4)
The
Arabic word translated as 'slow, measured rythmic' is tarteel. The
tafseer of the above ayat according to Ibn Kathir is 'recite the
Qur'an slowly, making the letters clear, for this is an assistance in
understanding and pondering the meaning of the Qur'an.'
Tarteel
is for the air around us and enjoins clairity. It calls us and draws
us through sound. Its purpose is to assist us in meditating on the meaning of each
word. The combination of tajweed and tarteel are like perfume and its
scent. One does not exist without the other. This science of cadence
is the most exquisite perfume because it is made in the heart.
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