Quick Facts
- Level
- Intermediate
- Category
- Madd and Lengthening
- When it occurs
- It occurs when a soft letter — Waw Sakinah or Ya Sakinah preceded by fatha — is followed by one consonant and the reciter stops on that word.
- Letters involved
- و · ي
Understand the rule
Lin means softness. The soft letters are a Waw Sakinah or Ya Sakinah preceded by a fatha: ـَوْ and ـَيْ. They are not preceded by their matching vowel as the long Madd letters are. While continuing recitation they take no extra length, but when the reciter stops after the following letter, the soft letter may be lengthened two, four, or six counts according to the reciter's consistent choice within the permitted range. The learner should first recognise the soft letter, then check whether the stopping context applies.
When does it occur?
It occurs when a soft letter — Waw Sakinah or Ya Sakinah preceded by fatha — is followed by one consonant and the reciter stops on that word.
Which letters are involved?
How is it pronounced?
When continuing, no added length. When stopping, lengthen the soft letter two, four, or six counts, applied consistently throughout the recitation.
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.
خَوْفٌ khawfun (fear) — Not from the Quran
Common Mistakes
- Lengthening the soft letter in the middle of recitation where no stop occurs.
- Confusing Madd Lin with Madd 'Arid li-Sukun, which involves a true madd letter.
Connect this lesson
Madd 'Arid li-Sukun
Madd 'Arid li-Sukun is the temporary madd that occurs when a natural madd letter at the end of a word is followed by one letter and the reciter stops, leaving the ending temporarily sakin.
Open lesson: Madd 'Arid li-SukunMadd 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 TabiiWaqf
Waqf means stopping the recitation briefly at the end of a word, phrase, or verse while observing the meaning and the ending sound.
Open lesson: WaqfRemember
Lin is soft in two ways: only the two gentle letters, and only when a stop gives them room to lengthen.
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.
- Which two letters can carry Madd Lin, and in which vowel state?
- What changes about Madd Lin when the reciter continues instead of stopping?
Question 1 of 2
Which definition does this lesson give for Madd Lin?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Madd Lin occur in the middle of a word while continuing?
No added length applies while continuing; the lengthening appears only when the reciter stops after the following letter.
Sources and review notes
What still needs review?
- Standard Hafs classification of the permitted range; a teacher should confirm the reciter's consistent choice of duration.
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.