Beginner Tajweed Mistakes and How to Fix Them Easily

Learning to read the Quran is a beautiful journey—but for many beginners, especially young students and English speakers, it comes with a few bumps. One of the biggest challenges? Tajweed—the rules that make Quranic recitation clear, accurate, and beautiful. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re saying a letter right or stumbled over the same verse again and again, you’re not alone. In this post, we’ll explore 3 of the most common beginner Tajweed mistakes —and show you exactly how to fix them using examples from Surahs like Al-Fatihah and Al-Ikhlas. Let’s get started!

Mistake #1: Mixing Up ص (Saad) and س (Seen)

These two letters may sound similar, but in Tajweed, they couldn’t be more different.

• Seen (س) is soft, like the “s” in “sun.”
• Saad (ص) is emphatic and comes from deeper in the throat. It adds a heavier echo to your recitation.

🔹 Example from Surah Al-Ikhlas:

قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ • اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ

If you read “الصَّمَدُ” as “السَّمَدُ,” the meaning changes completely—and the word becomes incorrect.

✅ Fix It Tip: Practice saying “ص” with a heavier tone and rounded lips. Put your hand on your chest—you should feel a light vibration.

Mistake #2: Confusing ق (Qaaf) with ك (Kaaf)

Both letters come from the back of the throat, but Qaaf (ق) is stronger and has more pressure than Kaaf (ك).

🔹 Example from Surah Al-Fatihah:

اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ

Some beginners read “صِرَاطَ” with a Kaaf sound instead of Qaaf in “الْمُسْتَقِيمَ,” making it sound soft when it should be firm and deep.

✅ Fix It Tip: Try saying “ق” like a strong “k” with your tongue raised toward the soft palate. Practice pairs like “قلب” vs “كلب” (heart vs. dog!)—a great way to see the importance of getting it right!

Mistake #3: Skipping Madd (Vowel Elongation)

Madd means stretching a vowel sound, often for two, four, or six counts. Skipping it or rushing it can distort the rhythm and meaning of a verse.

🔹 Example from Surah Al-Fatihah:

مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ

If you rush “مَالِكِ” and say it like “مَلِكِ,” you’ve changed the meaning from Owner to King—both correct, but with different implications!

✅ Fix It Tip: Use your fingers to count beats while reciting. Stretch the sound slowly at first, and then increase fluency over time.

🌟 Self-Correction at Home: Fun & Simple Tools

• Use a Mirror: Watch your tongue and mouth shape when saying ص and س.
• Record Yourself: Listen back and compare to a teacher or app.
• Practice with Short Surahs: Al-Fatihah and Al-Ikhlas are perfect starting points!
• Join a Tajweed Class: Nothing beats feedback from a qualified teacher—especially one who understands your language background.

Final Thoughts

Beginner Tajweed mistakes don’t have to hold you back. With a little effort and the right guidance, every student—especially non-native Arabic speakers—can improve their Quran recitation with confidence. At Roots Muslim School, we specialize in helping English-speaking Muslims build a strong foundation in Tajweed—step by step and sound by sound.

✅ Ready to correct your beginner Tajweed mistakes and recite the Quran beautifully?
Explore our beginner-friendly Quran courses here.