After examining the exit points or “Makharij” of the Arabic letters, it’s essential to delve deeper into their distinctive features or “Sifaat (صِفَات)”. While several letters may share the same exit point, their unique characteristics set them apart during pronunciation. For instance:
There are three key advantages to understanding these characteristics:
By mastering the Sifaat, we ensure the purity and distinctiveness of each letter.
The exact number of sifat varies according to scholars. While Imam Ibn Al Jazary believed there are 17 essential sifat, others suggest numbers ranging from 14 to 44. For our study, we’ll focus on the widely accepted 17 essential sifat.
Letters can be grouped based on their distinguishing features:
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These letters are defined by specific attributes, each of which places the letter in a distinct category. Five main attributes help define a letter:
In Arabic, al-hams translates to “the whisper.” It pertains to a flow of air accompanying the pronunciation of these 10 letters:
ف – ح – ث – ه – ش – خ – ص – س – ك – ت
To memorize these letters, recall the phrase:
فَحَثَّهُ شَخْص سَكَت
Technically, the flow of air continues even after pronouncing the letter, especially pronounced when the letter is sakeena (bearing a sukoon).
Examples:
الرَّحْمن – بِاسْمِ
Notes:
For the letters ت and ك, the air flow is significant when they’re sâkina: ت and ك. The flow is faint when they have vowel marks (mutaharika). Be cautious with ت’s pronunciation; overemphasis might make it sound like س.
Examples:
تُتْلَى – سُيَّرَتْ – كُوِّرَتْ
In Arabic, al-Jahr denotes “the loud voice.” It relates to a halt in the airflow while pronouncing the remaining 19 letters:
ا – ب – ج – د – ذ – – ز- ض
ط – ظ – ع -غ -ق – ل – م – ن – و -ء – ي
To remember these letters, use the mnemonic:
عَظُمَ وَزْنُ قَارِئٍ غَضٍّ ذِي طَلَبَ جِد
In this case, the breath halts immediately after the letter is articulated.
Examples:
الحَمْدُ – يُؤْمِنُونْ – نَعْبُد
In Arabic, “al-shidda” signifies intensity. It denotes a cessation of sound flow during the pronunciation of these 8 letters:
ت – ك -ب – ط -ق – د – ج – أ
To remember these letters, use the phrase:
أَجِدْ قَطٍ بَكَتْ
Technically, the sound is interrupted as it leans on its makhraj.
Examples:
انشَقَّتِ – تُبْلَى – رَكَّبَكَ – يَجْتَبِي
This sound characteristic is intermediate. It’s neither as abrupt as Ash-shidda nor as elongated as Ar-rakhawa. The following 5 letters exhibit this quality:
ر – م – ع – ن – ل
To remember these letters, use the phrase:
لِنْ عُمَر
Technically, the sound doesn’t halt abruptly nor does it extend for a long duration. It strikes a balance between Ash-shidda and Ar-rakhawa.
Examples:
الأرْضِ – الدِّيْنِ – نَعْبُدُ – الحَمْدُ
In Arabic, “al-rakhawa” translates to flexibility. It’s the continuation of sound as you pronounce the remaining 15 letters:
و – ه – ف – غ – ظ – ض -ص ش -س -ز – ذ – خ – ح – ث – ا
Technically, the sound of the letter is elongated.
Examples:
أَظْلَمَ – نَسْتَعِيْنُ – يُغْنِيكُمُ – الرَّحْمَنِ
Note: Sound duration varies:
Meaning: In Arabic, “al-istiala” refers to “elevation.”
Explanation: Pronunciation of specific letters exerts upward pressure on the palate. These are called emphatic letters (al-tafkheem – التَّفْخِيم). All these letters are considered emphatic due to their pronunciation characteristics.
Letters: There are 7 letters that undergo this pressure:
ظ – خ – ص – ض -غ – ط – ق
They can be remembered through the sentence:
خُصَّ ضَغْطٍ قِط
Degrees of Tafkheem:
Meaning: In Arabic, “al-istifal” signifies “lowering.”
Explanation: Pronunciation of these letters applies downward pressure on the palate, lightening them (equivalent to al-tarqeeq – التَّرْقِيق).
Letters: The remaining 22 letters include:
ا – ب – ت – ث – ج – ح – د – ذ – ر -ز -س – ش – ع – ف – ك – ل – م – ن – ه – و -ء – ي
Special Mention: Three letters can sometimes be emphatic and sometimes light:
ر – ل – ا
Meaning: Derived from a verb meaning “to stick.”
Explanation: Pronunciation of these letters involves part of the tongue sticking to the palate.
Letters:
ظ – ط – ض -ص
Meaning: “Separation.”
Explanation: Pronunciation leaves an opening between the tongue and the palate.
Letters:
ا – ب – ت – ث – ج – ح – خ – د – ذ -ر -ز – س – ش – ع – غ – ف – ق – ك – ل – م – ن – ه – و – ء – ي
This category, known as “sifat,” isn’t always considered primary. Some scholars might not even categorize them under “sifat.”
Description: Refers to letters pronounced with ease and fluidity.
Letters (6 in total):
ب – ل – م – ن – ر – ف
Mnemonic Sentence:
فَرَّ مِنْ لُبٍّ
Technicality: The pronunciation involves the tip of the tongue or the lips.
Description: These letters exhibit a certain heaviness during their pronunciation.
Letters (23 in total):
ا – ت – ث – ج – ح – خ – د – ذ – ز – س – ش – ص – ض – ط – ظ – ع -غ – ق – ك – ه – و -ء – ي
Technicality: Pronunciation doesn’t involve pressing against the tip of the tongue or lips.
Definition: In Arabic, “as-safîr” translates to “whistling.”
Characteristics:
It’s a robust phonetic feature.
Produces a whistle-like sound.
Letters:
ص: Resembles the sound made by a goose.
ز: Mirrors the buzzing of a bee.
س: Evokes the chirping of a cicada.
Technical Note: The sound is produced with an emission between the lips, earning these letters the title “the whistling letters.”
Definition: “Al-Qalqala” in Arabic denotes restlessness, instability, or disturbance.
Characteristics:
Letters:
ق – ط – ب – ج – د
Mnemonic Sentence:
قُطُبٌ جَدٍ
Technical Note: There’s a distinct bounce when a letter possesses a “sukoon.” The intensity of the qalqala varies:
When any of these letters appear in the middle of a word or sentence, a softer qalqala is produced, known as “qalqala sughra.”
Example
لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ
He neither begets nor is born (112:3)
Note: If a letter is positioned at the end of a verse and we pause on it, a pronounced qalqala is produced, termed as “qalqala kubra.”
لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ
He neither begets nor is born (112:3)
Note: The resonance of the letter intensifies when it is repeated at the end of a recitation. This is referred to as “al-qalqala al-akbar.”
تَبَّتْ يَدَا أَبِي لَهَبٍ وَتَبَّ
May the hands of Abu Lahab be ruined, and ruined is he. (111:1)
Definition: “Al-leen” in Arabic translates to “gentleness.” It denotes a soft and effortless pronunciation.
Characteristics:
Example:
الَّذِي أَطْعَمَهُم مِّن جُوعٍ وَآمَنَهُم مِّنْ خَوْفٍ
Who has fed them, [saving them] from hunger and made them safe, [saving them] from fear. (106:4)
وَيْلٌ لِّكُلِّ هُمَزَةٍ لُّمَزَةٍ
Woe to every scorner and mocker (104:1)
Definition: “Al-inhirâf” translates from Arabic as “deviation.” It pertains to the alteration of the sound of certain letters from their original points of articulation.
Characteristics:
Technical Note:
Definition: “At-takrîr” in Arabic signifies “repetition.” It describes the vibration of the tongue’s tip when pronouncing the letter:
ر (raa)
Characteristics:
Technical Note:
Definition: “At-tafashee” translates from Arabic as “propagation.” It describes the dispersal of air within the mouth during the pronunciation of a specific letter.
Characteristics:
ش (sheen)
Technical Note:
Definition: In Arabic, “al-istitala” signifies “elongation.” It pertains to the extended sound duration during the pronunciation of a particular letter.
Characteristics:
ض (dad)
Technical Note:
Thank you for completing this lesson on tajweed rules. Insha’Allah, our next session will delve into the definite article “al” (ال).
Interested in Further Learning?
Al-dirassa Institute provides an excellent opportunity to master the tajweed rules under the guidance of a qualified instructor. If you’re keen to expand your knowledge, please feel free to reach out to us.
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