The Heart's Perfume

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.