Quick Facts
- Level
- Advanced
- Category
- Madd and Lengthening
- When it occurs
- It occurs in surah openings recited as individual letter names, when the letter's name contains a madd letter followed by a permanent sukoon.
- Letters involved
- ا · و · ي
Understand the rule
Harfi refers to reciting single letters by their names, as in the openings of some surahs. When one of these recited-letter names contains a madd letter followed by a permanent sukoon, the madd letter takes a fixed six counts. Not every opening letter carries this madd. The letters ن ق ص ع س ل ك م are commonly grouped as the letters whose names contain Madd Lazim Harfi, while ا has no madd in its name and the letters ح ي ط ر ه take natural lengthening in their names. The exact classification should be heard from a qualified reciter. The learner should first learn how each letter name is pronounced, then apply the six counts where the pattern appears.
When does it occur?
It occurs in surah openings recited as individual letter names, when the letter's name contains a madd letter followed by a permanent sukoon.
Which letters are involved?
How is it pronounced?
Lengthen the madd letter in the recited letter name a fixed six counts.
Examples
The examples below are clearly labelled teaching examples and are not from the Quran. Use them to notice the rule, then confirm your recitation with a qualified teacher.
Examples for this lesson will appear after verification of the exact text, reference, and rule annotation.
Common Mistakes
- Applying the six counts to opening letters whose names contain no madd letter.
- Reading the letters as though they were ordinary words rather than letter names.
Connect this lesson
Madd Lazim Kalimi
Madd Lazim Kalimi is the necessary madd of six counts that occurs when a madd letter in a word is followed by a permanent sukoon, such as a letter with an original sukoon within the same word.
Open lesson: Madd Lazim KalimiMadd Tabii
Madd Tabii is the natural two-count lengthening of Alif, Waw, or Ya when the matching vowel comes before it and no hamzah or sukoon creates another Madd category.
Open lesson: Madd TabiiRemember
First learn the letter names, then listen: check the madd letter and the permanent sukoon that follows it.
Practice
Try to identify the trigger first, say the sound slowly, then listen and repeat. Short, accurate practice is more useful than rushing through many examples.
- Why do only some opening letters carry Madd Lazim Harfi?
- How is the six-count duration in Harfi related to the one in Kalimi?
Question 1 of 2
Which definition does this lesson give for Madd Lazim Harfi?
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all surah-opening letters take this madd?
No. Only the letter names that contain a madd letter followed by a permanent sukoon take the six counts.
Sources and review notes
What still needs review?
- Standard Hafs classification; letter-name recitation should be learned by listening to a qualified reciter.
- The listed Ayn (ع) and the unconditional six-count wording need qualified review together; do not use this summary to choose a duration before that review.
A reference records the source used for study; it does not mean the source author approved this lesson.
Important Note
Tajweed is best learned through both understanding and listening. Written explanations can help you understand the rules, but correct pronunciation, timing, and articulation are best learned by listening to a qualified reciter or teacher and practicing along with them.
For the best results, combine reading, listening, repetition, and guidance from a qualified Tajweed teacher.