Tajweed (تجويد) comes from the root جود (jawwada) meaning to improve or beautify. In the Quranic context it means reciting each letter with its proper characteristics and observing the rules of recitation.
Allah commands in the Quran (73:4): "And recite the Quran with measured recitation." (Wa rattilil Qur'ana tartila)
Learning tajweed to avoid mistakes is fard ayn (individually obligatory) upon every Muslim.
1. Tahqeeq — Slow, precise, educational recitation
2. Tarteel — Moderate, measured (recommended)
3. Hadr — Fast recitation (with tajweed maintained)
4. Tadweer — Between tarteel and hadr