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Intermediate

Madd and Lengthening

Madd Lin

مَدُّ اللِّين

Madd Lin is the permitted lengthening of Waw or Ya when either is sakin after a fatha, followed by one consonant, and the reciter stops on the word.

LevelIntermediateCategoryMadd and Lengthening

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

What is Madd Lin?

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?

وي

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.

Listening guidance Written explanations support recognition. Use an approved recitation and teacher feedback for sound, timing, and articulation.

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.

Teaching examples (not Quran quotations):

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.

Important Differences

Madd Lin and Madd 'Arid li-Sukun

Study the condition, letters, and sound of Madd Lin alongside Madd 'Arid li-Sukun so the two patterns are not treated as interchangeable.

Compare Madd 'Arid li-Sukun

Madd Lin and Madd Tabii

Study the condition, letters, and sound of Madd Lin alongside Madd Tabii so the two patterns are not treated as interchangeable.

Compare Madd Tabii

Madd Lin and Waqf

Study the condition, letters, and sound of Madd Lin alongside Waqf so the two patterns are not treated as interchangeable.

Compare Waqf

Remember

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.

  1. Which two letters can carry Madd Lin, and in which vowel state?
  2. What changes about Madd Lin when the reciter continues instead of stopping?
Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 2

1/2
understanding

What is 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.

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.