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
What is Madd Lazim Harfi?
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.
سِنْقَافْ — sīnfāq (letter-name practice) — Not from the Quran
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.
Important Differences
Madd Lazim Harfi and Madd Lazim Kalimi
Study the condition, letters, and sound of Madd Lazim Harfi alongside Madd Lazim Kalimi so the two patterns are not treated as interchangeable.
Compare Madd Lazim KalimiMadd Lazim Harfi and Madd Tabii
Study the condition, letters, and sound of Madd Lazim Harfi alongside Madd Tabii so the two patterns are not treated as interchangeable.
Compare Madd TabiiRemember
First learn the letter names, then listen: only the names that end with a madd letter take the long pull.
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
What is 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.
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.