The History and Causes of the Advent of Tajwid (Recital of the Quran)

The present paper examines the history and causes of Tajwid (recitation of the Quran). The main question of this study is" when and why did the knowledge of Tajwid begin?" Using a descriptive-analytical method and the historical approach, and after defining "Tajwid", the paper examines seven theories about the history of Tajwid, and concludes that although there were some basic rules for the correct pronunciation of Arabic vocabulary, which was later called Tajwid among the Arabs before Islam, the elaboration of the rules of Tajwid, correct reading and other literary sciences after the advent of Islam were developed with the guidance of Imam Ali (AS). In the middle of the third century, after the developments in the mentioned sciences, the term Tajwid was chosen for "rules governing proper pronunciation during recitation ", and turned into an independent filed of knowledge. This paper seeks to prove that the field of Tajwid or more precisely, the "technique of Tajwid" is not a science established by Islam, and is not specific to the Quran or even to the narratives. It teaches us the correct way of speaking Arabic, and the reason for its development was the Arab’s need for proper speech. Consequently, the theories that address this issue and the theories that specify a time for the advent of Tajwid are not acceptable.