In Quranic recitation, Tajweed (تجويد) refers to the set of rules that ensure the exact and precise pronunciation of letters and the correct application of traditional styles of recitation (qira’at). It is important for Muslims to learn Tajweed, as it is essential for proper Quran recitation, and one important concept in this field is Qalqalah in Tajweed.
Learning Qalqalah enables better Quranic recitation because correct pronunciation of the Quran maintains its intended meanings. Individuals at any level of Quran recitation should learn Qalqalah in Tajweed because it stands as an essential knowledge base.
Qalqalah enhances Quranic recitation by adding beauty while maintaining clarity as well as boosting its strength. The study of Qalqalah rules enables exact transmission of the Quranic message as it was revealed.
What Is Qalqalah in Tajweed?
In Arabic, the word Qalqalah (قلقلة) means “to shake” or “to bounce.” It refers to the vibrating sound that occurs when letters with sukoon markings (a non-vowel mark) are pronounced. In Tajweed, Qalqalah enables proper pronunciation with clarity while preventing the merging or dropping of letters, and makes the recitation of the Quran beautiful.
What Are the Letters of Qalqalah / Huruf Qalqalah?
Huruf Qalqalah (حروف القلقلة) also called the letters of Qalqalah, are five specific consonants which make a slight bouncing or echoing sound when recited after sukoon or stop pronunciation. They can be remembered easily using the phrase قطب جد (Qutb Jad) as every letter represents one of the five letters of Qalqalah.
The following table shows the letters of Qalqalah together with their corresponding examples:
| Arabic Letter | Name | Sound Example | Example Word from The Holy Quran | Reference |
| ق | Qaaf | Like a strong ‘Q’ sound from the throat | °خَلَقِ (khalaq) | Surah Al-Alaq (96:1) |
| ط | Taa | A hard ‘T’ sound, deeper than English ‘T’ | أَطْعَمَهُمْ (at’amahum) | Surah Quraysh (106:4) |
| ب | Baa | A ‘B’ sound, but bounced clearly | وَتَبْ (Wa tubb) | Surah Lahab (111:1) |
| ج | Jeem | A ‘J’ sound, like “jam” but sharper(an example of tuaa as well) | مَطْلَعِ الْفَجْرِ (mat la’il fajr) | Surah Al Qadr (97:5) |
| د | Daal | A ‘D’ sound, but with a slight echo | أَلَمْ يَجِدْكَ (Alam ya jidka) | Surah Ad-Duha (93:6) |
It is important to reiterate that the bouncing sound of Qalqalah is applied, when any of the Huruf Qalqalah are in the state of sukoon ( ْ ), or they occur at the end of a word where the recitation stops.
Also Read: Essential Quran Tajweed Rules You Must Know
Rules of Qalqalah in Tajweed:
The rules of Qalqalah in Tajweed are applied to Qalqalah letters (ق، ط، ب، ج، د) as they carry a sukoon ( ْ ) either initially or because the word ends. In this case, the pronunciation of Qalqalah letter requires a slight bouncing or echo sound without elongation.
These are the essential requirements for Qalqalah application:
- Presence of Sukoon: The Qalqalah produces its distinctive sound only when the letter contains sukoon or it is sakin (without any vowel).
- Clear and Sharp Pronunciation: The echo should be clear and not faint nor overdone.
- No Stretching: The echoing sound should occur naturally without reaching the length of a madd (elongation).
- Applied During Stopping: Even if the letter originally has a vowel, if you stop at it, you treat it as sakin and apply Qalqalah.
These rule establishes proper pronunciation for all letters to preserve both clarity and beauty in the Quranic recitation, as emphasized in the Quran:
أَوْ زِدْ عَلَيْهِ وَرَتِّلِ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ تَرْتِيلًا ٤
“or a little more—and recite the Quran ˹properly˺ in a measured way.”
(Surah Al-Muzzammil 73:4)
Also Read: Benefits of Tajweed Quran Every Muslim Should Know
Types and Levels of Qalqalah in Tajweed
Qalqalah in Tajweed is divided into different types and levels based on the strength of the echo or bouncing sound produced. The difference mainly depends on whether the Qalqalah letter appears at the end or middle of a word and whether a complete stop is made during recitation. Understanding these echo levels enables reciters to use appropriate amounts of echo throughout their pronunciation for accurate and elegant recitation.
There are three main types of Qalqalah:
| No. | Type of Qalqalah | Arabic Term | Description |
| 1 | Strong | Kubra (كبرى) | Strongest echo when stopping |
| 2 | Middle | Wusta (وسطى) | Moderate echo within a word |
| 3 | Weak | Sughra (صغرى) | Light echo with sukoon, no stop |
Each type has its own specific rules and examples, which we will explore in the following sections.
1. Strong Qalqalah Kubra (قلقلة كبرى)
Strong Qalqalah, known as Qalqalah Kubra (قلقلة كبرى), occurs when a Qalqalah letter appears at the end of a word and the reciter stops at that word during recitation. This stop causes the sukoon ( ْ ) to become permanent, and a strong, noticeable bouncing sound must be produced. The echo here is stronger compared to the other types of Qalqalah because the letter is being fully stopped upon.
Strong Qalqalah is very important in maintaining the clarity and strength of the last letter, by ensuring that it is not dropped or weakened.
Examples of Strong Qalqalah (Qalqalah Kubra):
| Word | Surah | Pronunciation Note |
| تَبَّتْ (tabbat) | Surah Al-Masad (111:1) | Strong echo on ب (Baa) when stopping. |
| أَحَدٌ (ahad) | Surah Al-Ikhlas (112:1) | Strong echo on د (Daal) when stopping. |
| خَلَقْ (khalaq) | Various Surahs | Strong echo on ق (Qaaf) when stopping. |
When you stop at these words, you will notice a strong, sharp bouncing sound on the last letter.
Also Read: Is Tajweed Obligatory/Fard?
2. Qalqalah Wusta (Middle Qalqalah)
Middle Qalqalah, also known as Qalqalah Wusta (قلقلة وسطى), occurs when a Qalqalah letter with a sukoon appears in the middle of a word and is pronounced without stopping. The bouncing sound is present, but it is lighter and softer compared to Qalqalah Kubra.
Unlike the strong echo at the end of a word, the Qalqalah sound in the middle blends naturally with the surrounding letters. It must be clear but not exaggerated, while keeping the recitation smooth and balanced.
Examples of Middle Qalqalah (Qalqalah Wusta):
| Word | Surah | Pronunciation Note |
| يُجْزَاهُ (yuj-zaa-hu) | Surah An-Najm (53:41) | Echo on ج (Jeem) in the middle. |
| قَدْ أَفْلَحَ (qad aflaḥa) | Surah Al-Mu’minun (23:1) | Echo on د (Daal) in the middle. |
In all these examples, the Qalqalah sound appears within the word but still needs to be pronounced clearly without dragging or overstating it.
3. Weak Qalqalah Sughra (قلقلة صغرى)
Weak Qalqalah, known as Qalqalah Sughra (قلقلة صغرى), occurs when a Qalqalah letter carries a natural sukoon but appears within a word, and there is no stop during recitation. The echo here is the lightest among the three types and must be applied gently without making it too prominent.
Although the bouncing sound is present, it should blend subtly with the flow of the word and must not be exaggerated.
Examples of Weak Qalqalah (Qalqalah Sughra):
| Word | Surah | Pronunciation Note |
| وَخَلَقْنَـٰكُمْ (khalaq-naa-kum) | Surah An-Naba (78:8) | Light echo on ق (Qaaf) with sukoon. |
| نُطْفَةٍ (nuṭ-fatin) | Surah Al-Insan (76:2) | Light echo on ط (Taa) with sukoon. |
In each of these examples, the Qalqalah letter has sukoon but is recited smoothly within the word. The echo is present, but it should be delicate and controlled.
Also Read: What is Izhar (Idhhar) in Tajweed?
Common Pitfalls Related to Qalqalah in Tajweed
Many learners usually make small but important mistakes while learning and applying Qalqalah in Tajweed. This can affect the clarity and beauty of the Quranic recitation. Understanding these common pitfalls can help in avoiding them and improving Tajweed skills effectively.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Over-exaggerating the echo: Some reciters stretch the echo sound too much thus creating unnatural sound or a similar to a madd (elongation) sound, which is not correct.
- Under-pronouncing the Qalqalah sound: Some learners produce Qalqalah sound in a way which is hard to notice and especially in weak or middle Qalqalah, which leads to unclear pronunciation.
- Applying Qalqalah to non-Qalqalah letters: Qalqalah should only be applied to the five specific letters (ق، ط، ب، ج، د). Using it on other letters is incorrect.
- Skipping Qalqalah when stopping on a Qalqalah letter: When ending a word with a Qalqalah letter and stopping, the echo must be applied clearly — skipping it is a common error.
- Inconsistency across recitation: Some learners apply Qalqalah correctly in some places but they sometimes ignore it in others parts, affecting the smoothness and accuracy of recitation.
- Ignoring the level of Qalqalah (strong/middle/weak): Some readers may not adjust the echo strength depending on the situation.
Consistent practice under proper guidance and awareness about Qalqalah application areas can help learners avoid mistakes.
Why Choose an Online Quran Tutor for the Tajweed Course?
Learning rules like Qalqalah in Tajweed is crucial for Muslim learners. This requires proper guidance, consistent correction and continuous practice — all of which are conveyed in our online Tajweed course for kids. A qualified Quran tutor can bring a significant difference in the learning process which can surpass the benefits of self-learning.
Students should choose an Online Quran tutor because of the following benefits:
- Personalised attention: Your online one-on-one classes enable teachers to provide full attention regarding your learning pace and mistakes and can track your progress.
- Qualified Instructors: The trusted platforms work with certified and expert teachers who possess both Tajweed expertise and effective teaching skills for children and beginners.
- Convenience & Flexibility: Online learning through a Quran tutor presents flexibility with home-based learning that enables students to select their preferred learning times without needing to commute.
- Interactive Learning: Through interactive learning methods such as screen-sharing and real-time correction and immediate feedback students can effectively engage with online learning.
Also Read: Innalillahi Wa Innailaihi Rojiun In English, Arabic And Urdu Text
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Courses We Offer:
- Noorani Qaida Course – Learn the fundamentals of Arabic and Quranic pronunciation.
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Final Thoughts
It is indeed important to learn Tajweed and especially Qalqalah in Tajweed. Qalqalah ensures that certain Arabic letters are pronounced with clarity, even when they are sakin or at the end of a word. Applying Qalqalah properly prevents important letters from being mispronounced or lost during recitation. This helps in preserving the meaning and structure of the Quranic text.
Mastering Qalqalah in Tajweed is important not only for a beautiful and precise Quranic recitation, but also for honouring the exact articulation, which is an integral part of proper Quran recitation. Through proper guidance and regular practice, learners can learn and apply these rules correctly and recite the Quran as it was revealed.
