Full Mouth Letters (Huroof Al-Musta'liyah)

These are letters that are pronounced with a full mouth, raising the back of the tongue towards the roof of the mouth. There are seven full mouth letters:

خ ص ض غ ط ق ظ

The mnemonic device to remember these letters is: خُصَّ ضَغْطٍ قِظْ

Characteristics of Full Mouth Letters

• The back of the tongue rises towards the roof of the mouth
• The sound is produced with a full, heavy pronunciation
• These letters maintain their fullness regardless of their vowel marks

Hybrid Letters

Hybrid letters are those that can be pronounced either with a full mouth or an empty mouth, depending on their position and vowel marks. The main hybrid letters are:

1. ر (Raa):
   • Full mouth when it has a Fathah or Dhammah
   • Empty mouth when it has a Kasrah
2. ل (Laam):
   • Generally empty mouth
   • Full mouth only in the word Allah when preceded by Fathah or Dhammah

Empty Mouth Letters

All other Arabic letters not mentioned above are empty mouth letters (Huroof Al-Mustarfilah). They are pronounced:

• Without raising the back of the tongue
• With a light, thin pronunciation
• From their specific points of articulation

Sifaat Mutadaaddah (Contrasting Characteristics)

These are pairs of characteristics where each letter must have one of the two qualities:

1. Hams (Whisper) vs Jahr (Clear)

• Hams Letters: ف ح ث ه ش خ ص س ك ت
• Jahr Letters: All other letters
• Definition: Hams is the escape of breath with the letter, while Jahr is the retention of breath

2. Shiddah (Strength) vs Rakhawah (Softness) vs Tawassut (Moderation)

• Shiddah Letters: أ ب ت ث ج ح د ذ ط ظ ق ك
• Rakhawah Letters: ث ذ ز س ش ص ض ظ غ ف
• Tawassut Letters: ل م ن ر ع غ

3. Isti'laa (Elevation) vs Istifaal (Lowering)

• Isti'laa Letters: خ ص ض غ ط ق ظ
• Istifaal Letters: All other letters

4. Itbaaq (Closing) vs Infitaah (Opening)

• Itbaaq Letters: ص ض ط ظ
• Infitaah Letters: All other letters

5. Idhlaq (Ease) vs Ismaat (Difficulty)

• Idhlaq Letters: ف ر م ن ل ب
• Ismaat Letters: All other letters

Special Rules for Laam in Allah's Name

The pronunciation of the Laam in Allah's name (الله) follows specific rules:

1. Full Mouth (Tafkheem) Rules

• When preceded by Fathah or Dhammah
• Example: الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ
• The Laam is pronounced with a full, heavy sound

2. Empty Mouth (Tarqeeq) Rules

• When preceded by Kasrah
• Example: بِسْمِ اللَّهِ
• The Laam is pronounced with a light, thin sound

Alif Pronunciation Rules

• Alif is always pronounced as a long 'aa' sound
• It can never have Sukoon (absence of vowel)
• It can never have Tanween
• It can never have Shaddah

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Not distinguishing between full and empty mouth Laam in Allah's name
• Adding extra sounds to Alif
• Not maintaining proper length for Alif

Sifaat Ghair Mutadaaddah (Non-Contrasting Characteristics)

These are characteristics that don't have opposites and can be found in various combinations in letters:

1. Qalqalah (Echo)

• Letters: ق ط ب ج د
• Definition: A bouncing sound produced when the letter has Sukoon
• Types:
  • Strong (ق ط)
  • Medium (ب ج)
  • Light (د)

2. Safeer (Whistle)

• Letters: ص س ز
• Definition: A whistling sound produced during pronunciation

3. Leen (Ease)

• Letters: و ي
• Definition: When these letters have Sukoon and are preceded by Fathah

4. Inhiraf (Deviation)

• Letters: ل ر
• Definition: The tongue deviates from its normal position during pronunciation

5. Takreer (Repetition)

• Letter: ر
• Definition: The tongue vibrates during pronunciation

6. Tafashee (Spreading)

• Letter: ش
• Definition: The sound spreads through the mouth during pronunciation

7. Istitaalah (Elongation)

• Letter: ض
• Definition: The sound is elongated during pronunciation

Introduction to Madd

Madd literally means to elongate. In Tajweed, it means to make the sounds of some letters and words longer than others.

Madd has three letters:

ا و ي

These are like the vowels in English (A E I O U). They're basically the sounds that are extendable.

Measuring Madd

The length of Madd is measured in "Harakaat" (plural of Harakah).

A Harakah is the time it takes to pronounce a letter (approximately one second, depending on the speed of recitation).

Madd comes in 3 lengths:

• Two Harakaat
• Four Harakaat
• Six Harakaat

The Two Harakaat Madd (Al-Madd At-Tabee'i or Al-Madd Al-Asli)

This occurs in six situations in the Quran:

1. If there is a standing Fatha
2. If there is a standing Kasrah
3. If there is a reverse Dhammah
4. If there is an Alif after a Fatha - قَالَ
5. If there is a Yaa Saakin after a Kasrah - قِيْلَ
6. If there is a Waaw Saakin after a Dhammah - سُورَة

The Four Harakaat Madd

This takes place if there is a Hamza (ء) after any of the two Harakaat Mudood (if there is a Hamza after any of the Madd letters).

There are two types:

1. Al-Madd Al-Muttasil - If the Hamza is in the same word as the Madd letter (e.g., ك ئِ َٰ أول ُ)
2. Al-Madd Al-Munfasil - If the Hamza is in the next word after the Madd letter (e.g., ل زِ أن ا ُ ِبم)

The Six Harakaat Madd (Al-Madd-Al-Laazim)

This takes place if there is a Shaddah or Sukoon after any of the Two Harakaat Madds.

Al-Madd-Al-Laazim has four types:

1. Al-Madd-Al-Laazim Kalimi Muthaqqal - When a letter with a 'Shaddah' comes after any of the Madd letters (e.g., ةَّ ق ْ ح ل ا)
2. Al-Madd-Al-Laazim Kalimi Mukhaffaf - When a Saakin letter comes after any of the Madd letters (e.g., ن ن – أ لْآ ْ ف ِسِدي ُ م ْ ن ال ن ت مِ كُ ُل و ْ ق ْ د ع صيْ ت ق ب ن و (91 Yunus Surah – (أ لْآ)
3. Al-Madd-Al-Laazim Harfi Muthaqqal - When the end of a Muqatta'aat letter joins and merges into the next letter (e.g., الم – in Surah Al-Baqarah)
4. Al-Madd-Al-Laazim Harfi Mukhaffaf - When the end of a Muqatta'aat letter doesn't join or merge into the next letter (e.g., يس – in Surah Yaseen or الر)

Flexible Mudood (Two, Four, or Six Harakaat)

There are some Mudood (plural of Madd) which you can make Two, Four or Six Harakaat long. However, the length you choose should remain consistent whenever that same Madd reoccurs in that recitation.

1. Al-Madd Al-Aarid Li Sukoon

This Madd occurs when you stop on a word, and the Madd letter (ي, و, ا) is the second to last letter of this word. In addition to this, there must be similar sounding Harakah before that Madd letter.

For example, a Dhammah must come before a Waaw, or Kasrah before a Yaa for this Madd to be applied.

A good example is Surah Fatiha because we stop with "Al-Madd Al-Aarid Li Sukoon" at the end of every Ayah in it:

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ

So we can make the sound "eee" at end of "aalameen"; two, four or six Harakaat long.

2. Al-Madd Al-Leen

This Madd occurs when you stop on a word, and the second to last letter is Waaw or Yaa, and there is a Fatha before this Waaw or Yaa.

Good examples are in Surah Quraysh:

لِإِيلَافِ قُرَيْشٍ

So the sound "aayy" at the end of the word Quraayysh can be two, four or six Harkaat long.

Therefore, these two Madds, Al-Madd Al-Aarid Li Sukoon and Al-Madd Al-Leen both can be recited 2 or 4 or 6 Harakaat long. But whichever length you choose, you should keep it that length every time same Madd comes again in that recitation. But in separate recitation at another time, you can choose a different length and maintain it for that recitation.

The Noon and Meem Mushaddad

If there is a Shaddah/Tashdeed on top a Noon or Meem then you must make the Ghunnah (nasal sound) two counts (Harakaat) long.

A good example is Surah Al-Naas:

قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ

مَلِكِ النَّاسِ

إِلَٰهِ النَّاسِ

Note: Tashdeed is a little "W" (ّ) symbol which sits on top of a letter. It is an indication that the letter under it is double. For example if it sits on top of a ب then it means there are two Baas underneath it. Therefore we will need to pronounce it with double strength.

The Shaddah also makes the previous letter join with the letter it sits on top of; just like a Sukoon does.

The Rules of Noon Saakin & Tanween

A Noon Saakin is the Noon with a Sukoon on top.

Tanween is what you call Fatha, Kasrah or Dhammah if they are doubled.

There are four rules of Noon Saakin and Tanween:

1. Izhaar
2. Ikhfaa
3. Idghaam
4. Iqlaab / Qalb

1. Izhaar

Izhaar means to make clear. This rule is all about pronouncing the Noon Saakin and Tanween, and its letters clearly without any nasal or merging sound.

The letters of Izhaar are (six) the same as The Throat Letters which are:

ء ه ع ح غ خ

The rule simply is: If any of the six letters of Izhaar come after a Noon Saakin or Tanween, then you must recite the Noon Saakin or Tanween and the letter clearly without any nasal or merging sound.

Introduction to Waqf

When you stop on a word, or at the end of sentence while reciting The Holy Quran, there are some rules we need to follow.

• Firstly: Stopping is called Waqf (وَقْف) in Arabic. There are many types of stops in Tajweed. For example "The mandatory stop" which in Arabic is called Al-Waqf Al-Laazim (الْوَقْفُ الْلاَّزِمُ), or "The optional stop" – in Arabic Al-Waqf Al-Jaa'iz (الْوَقْفُ الْجَائِزُ).
• Secondly: A stop in the Quran is usually marked with big circle on the middle of the line with a number inside it, which is the number of this Aayah.
• Thirdly: To stop (وَقْف) reading; means to stop the utterance of letters and take a breath. For example at the end of the Aayah الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ.
• Fourthly: There is something in between stopping and continuing called Saktah (سَكْتَة), which means that you stop the utterance of letters but do not take a breath.
• Fifthly: The letter that you stop on when doing Waqf, is pronounced differently compared to how would read it if you were to carry on and join it with the next letter or word.

Note: Aayah is an Arabic word which in English means a sign. Each sentence in The Holy Quran is called an Ayah / sign because each one is sign or indication of Allah existence and his unmatchable miracle The Holy Quran.

How to pronounce the letter you stop on

If the letter that you stop on, or pause on has a single Fatha, Kasra or Dhammah; then we will stop on this letter by pronouncing it as if it's Saakin. But if you carry on and join this letter with the next word, then you will pronounce it just as it's written.

For example at the end of the Aayah:

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ

We can see that the last letter of this sentence is a Noon with a Fatha on top. When we stop on this letter / word, we will pronounce this Noon as if it's Saakin by saying Aalameen (الْعَالَمِينَ) not Aalameena (الْعَالَمِينَ).

However if you were to join this Aayah with the next like this:

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ (2) الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

In this case we will pronounce the Fatha on top of the Noon at end of Aayah number two, just as it is written and not like a Saakin. Therefore we will join the two sentences like this: "Al aalameenar Rahmaanir Raheem"

Double Fatha, Kasra or Dhammah

If the letter that you stop on, or pause on has a double Fatha, Kasra or Dhammah; then just like the single Fatha, Kasrah or Dhammah; we will stop on this letter by pronouncing it as if it's Saakin. But if you carry on and join this letter with the next word, then you will pronounce it just as it's written.

For example at the end of the Aayah:

تَبَّتْ يَدَا أَبِي لَهَبٍ

We can see that the last letter of this sentence is a Baa with a double Kasrah underneath it. When we stop on this letter / word, we will pronounce this Baa as if it's Saakin by saying Lahab (لَهَبٍ) not Lahabin (لَهَبٍ).

However if you were to join this Aayah with the next like this:

تَبَّتْ يَدَا أَبِي لَهَبٍ (3) وَامْرَأَتُهُ حَمَّالَةَ الْحَطَبِ

In this case we will pronounce the double Kasrah underneath the Baa at the end of Aayah number three, just as it is written and not like a Saakin. Therefore we will join the two sentences like this: "Lahabewwnn wamra'athuh"

When we join the Tanween underneath the Baa in Lahabin, with the Waaw at the beginning of the next sentence; we need to apply the rule of Idghaam with Ghunnah.

Note: If any of the four letters of Idghaam with Ghunnah (which are و م ن ي) come after Noon Saakin or Tanween, then you must merge them with a two Harakaat long nasal sound.

Special Case: Double Fatha with Alif

If the letter that you stop on, or pause on, has a double Fatha and then an Alif right next to it: then the rule will be slightly different. We will pronounce this letter with a single Fatha and a two Harkaat long Madd. But if you carry on and join this letter with the next word, then you will pronounce it just as it's written without the Madd.

For example when we stop on the Aayaath of Surah Al-Aadiyaath (سُورَةُ الْعَادِيَاتِ):

وَالْعَادِيَاتِ ضَبْحًا (1) فَالْمُورِيَاتِ قَدْحًا (2)

If we stop on any of these sentences, we will pronounce only one Fatha from last letter of each and make this Fatha long by doing Two Harakaat Madd.

This Two Harakaat Madd is called "The replacing Madd" (Maddul Iwad – الْمَدُّ الْعِوَضُ). It's called the replacing Madd because when we stopped on this letter, there were two Fathas, but we only pronounced one. But this Madd came and replaced that missing Fatha by making a Madd sound. In other words; it's called The replacing Madd because it replaces one of the unpronounced Fathas.

If however we don't stop, and carry on reading at the end of these Aayaath by joining them with the next word, then there will be no Madd and we will recite the last letter of the Aayah exactly how its written. Hence when joining the end of Aayah one of Surah Aadiyaath, with the beginning of Aayah number two, the rule of Ikhfaa will be applied.

Note: If any of the fifteen letters of Ikhfaa (which are ت ث ج د ذ ز س ش ص ض ط ظ ف ق ك) come after Noon Saakin or Tanween then you must make a slight nasal sound for 2 Harkaat.

Types of Waqf

Waqf in which the place of stopping is considered is of four types:

1. The complete Waqf (Al-Waqf At-Taam – الْوَقْفُ التَّامُ)
2. The sufficient Waqf (Al-Waqf Al-Kaafi – الْوَقْفُ الْكَافِي)
3. The acceptable Waqf (Al-Waqf Al-Hasan – الْوَقْفُ الْحَسَنُ)
4. The unacceptable Waqf (Al Waqf Al-Qabeeh – الْوَقْفُ الْقَبِيحُ)

1. The complete Waqf (Al-Waqf At-Taam)

This is to stop in such a place; where the sentence is complete, and there is no connection in the meaning of the sentence and the one before it, or after it. For example at the end of the Aayah:

إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ

Only you (Oh Allah) we worship and only you we rely on for help.

Note: It is Sunnah to stop at the end of each Ayah which is marked and numbered in The Holy Quran.

Note: Sunnah means that this is something the Prophet Muhammad PBUH said, did or liked.

2. The sufficient Waqf (Al-Waqf Al-Kaafi)

This is to stop in a place where the sentence is complete, but there is a connection in meaning with the sentence before it or after it. For example at the end of Aayah number 2 in Surah Baqarah:

ذَٰلِكَ الْكِتَابُ لَا رَيْبَ ۛ فِيهِ ۛ هُدًى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ (2) الَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْغَيْبِ وَيُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ

That is the book (The Holy Quran) in which there is no doubt, a guidance for the Muttaqeen. Those (Muttaqeen) who believe in the unseen, establish prayer, and spend from that which we have granted them.

3. The acceptable Waqf (Al-Waqf Al-Hasan)

This is to stop in a place where the phrase is complete, but there is a connection in both meaning and word of this phrase, with the one before it or after it. For example if someone decided to stop on: الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ which is only half way through Aayah number 1 of Surah Fatiha.

4. The unacceptable Waqf (Al Waqf Al-Qabeeh)

This is to stop in such a place where the sentence or phrase is incomplete, and there are connections in the word and meaning of it, with what's before and after. To stop in place like this would disturb the meaning of what's being recited. For example if someone decided to stop at:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَقْرَبُوا الصَّلَاةَ

Oh you who believe do not come close to Salah…

You shouldn't stop here because neither the sentence nor the meaning nor the word, are complete. Stopping here would disturb the meaning this Ayah and the message of The Holy Quran. Therefore it's very important to read on a little bit more to make sense of the Ayah. For example you can pause at:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَقْرَبُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَأَنتُمْ سُكَارَى

Oh you who believe do not come close to Salah while you are intoxicated…

Note: If someone runs out of breath and feels like he/she can't continue reading with that same breath, they are allowed to stop wherever they need to because of this necessity. They should then catch their breath and continue reading by starting from a few words before where they stopped so that the Aayah is coherent.

Introduction to Waqf

When you stop on a word, or at the end of sentence while reciting The Holy Quran, there are some rules we need to follow.

• Firstly: Stopping is called Waqf (وَقْف) in Arabic. There are many types of stops in Tajweed. For example "The mandatory stop" which in Arabic is called Al-Waqf Al-Laazim (الْوَقْفُ الْلاَّزِمُ), or "The optional stop" – in Arabic Al-Waqf Al-Jaa'iz (الْوَقْفُ الْجَائِزُ).
• Secondly: A stop in the Quran is usually marked with big circle on the middle of the line with a number inside it, which is the number of this Aayah.
• Thirdly: To stop (وَقْف) reading; means to stop the utterance of letters and take a breath. For example at the end of the Aayah الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ.
• Fourthly: There is something in between stopping and continuing called Saktah (سَكْتَة), which means that you stop the utterance of letters but do not take a breath.
• Fifthly: The letter that you stop on when doing Waqf, is pronounced differently compared to how would read it if you were to carry on and join it with the next letter or word.

Note: Aayah is an Arabic word which in English means a sign. Each sentence in The Holy Quran is called an Ayah / sign because each one is sign or indication of Allah existence and his unmatchable miracle The Holy Quran.

How to pronounce the letter you stop on

If the letter that you stop on, or pause on has a single Fatha, Kasra or Dhammah; then we will stop on this letter by pronouncing it as if it's Saakin. But if you carry on and join this letter with the next word, then you will pronounce it just as it's written.

For example at the end of the Aayah:

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ

We can see that the last letter of this sentence is a Noon with a Fatha on top. When we stop on this letter / word, we will pronounce this Noon as if it's Saakin by saying Aalameen (الْعَالَمِينَ) not Aalameena (الْعَالَمِينَ).

However if you were to join this Aayah with the next like this:

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ (2) الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

In this case we will pronounce the Fatha on top of the Noon at end of Aayah number two, just as it is written and not like a Saakin. Therefore we will join the two sentences like this: "Al aalameenar Rahmaanir Raheem"

Double Fatha, Kasra or Dhammah

If the letter that you stop on, or pause on has a double Fatha, Kasra or Dhammah; then just like the single Fatha, Kasrah or Dhammah; we will stop on this letter by pronouncing it as if it's Saakin. But if you carry on and join this letter with the next word, then you will pronounce it just as it's written.

For example at the end of the Aayah:

تَبَّتْ يَدَا أَبِي لَهَبٍ

We can see that the last letter of this sentence is a Baa with a double Kasrah underneath it. When we stop on this letter / word, we will pronounce this Baa as if it's Saakin by saying Lahab (لَهَبٍ) not Lahabin (لَهَبٍ).

However if you were to join this Aayah with the next like this:

تَبَّتْ يَدَا أَبِي لَهَبٍ (3) وَامْرَأَتُهُ حَمَّالَةَ الْحَطَبِ

In this case we will pronounce the double Kasrah underneath the Baa at the end of Aayah number three, just as it is written and not like a Saakin. Therefore we will join the two sentences like this: "Lahabewwnn wamra'athuh"

When we join the Tanween underneath the Baa in Lahabin, with the Waaw at the beginning of the next sentence; we need to apply the rule of Idghaam with Ghunnah.

Note: If any of the four letters of Idghaam with Ghunnah (which are و م ن ي) come after Noon Saakin or Tanween, then you must merge them with a two Harakaat long nasal sound.

Special Case: Double Fatha with Alif

If the letter that you stop on, or pause on, has a double Fatha and then an Alif right next to it: then the rule will be slightly different. We will pronounce this letter with a single Fatha and a two Harkaat long Madd. But if you carry on and join this letter with the next word, then you will pronounce it just as it's written without the Madd.

For example when we stop on the Aayaath of Surah Al-Aadiyaath (سُورَةُ الْعَادِيَاتِ):

وَالْعَادِيَاتِ ضَبْحًا (1) فَالْمُورِيَاتِ قَدْحًا (2)

If we stop on any of these sentences, we will pronounce only one Fatha from last letter of each and make this Fatha long by doing Two Harakaat Madd.

This Two Harakaat Madd is called "The replacing Madd" (Maddul Iwad – الْمَدُّ الْعِوَضُ). It's called the replacing Madd because when we stopped on this letter, there were two Fathas, but we only pronounced one. But this Madd came and replaced that missing Fatha by making a Madd sound. In other words; it's called The replacing Madd because it replaces one of the unpronounced Fathas.

If however we don't stop, and carry on reading at the end of these Aayaath by joining them with the next word, then there will be no Madd and we will recite the last letter of the Aayah exactly how its written. Hence when joining the end of Aayah one of Surah Aadiyaath, with the beginning of Aayah number two, the rule of Ikhfaa will be applied.

Note: If any of the fifteen letters of Ikhfaa (which are ت ث ج د ذ ز س ش ص ض ط ظ ف ق ك) come after Noon Saakin or Tanween then you must make a slight nasal sound for 2 Harkaat.

Types of Waqf

Waqf in which the place of stopping is considered is of four types:

1. The complete Waqf (Al-Waqf At-Taam – الْوَقْفُ التَّامُ)
2. The sufficient Waqf (Al-Waqf Al-Kaafi – الْوَقْفُ الْكَافِي)
3. The acceptable Waqf (Al-Waqf Al-Hasan – الْوَقْفُ الْحَسَنُ)
4. The unacceptable Waqf (Al Waqf Al-Qabeeh – الْوَقْفُ الْقَبِيحُ)

1. The complete Waqf (Al-Waqf At-Taam)

This is to stop in such a place; where the sentence is complete, and there is no connection in the meaning of the sentence and the one before it, or after it. For example at the end of the Aayah:

إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ

Only you (Oh Allah) we worship and only you we rely on for help.

Note: It is Sunnah to stop at the end of each Ayah which is marked and numbered in The Holy Quran.

Note: Sunnah means that this is something the Prophet Muhammad PBUH said, did or liked.

2. The sufficient Waqf (Al-Waqf Al-Kaafi)

This is to stop in a place where the sentence is complete, but there is a connection in meaning with the sentence before it or after it. For example at the end of Aayah number 2 in Surah Baqarah:

ذَٰلِكَ الْكِتَابُ لَا رَيْبَ ۛ فِيهِ ۛ هُدًى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ (2) الَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِالْغَيْبِ وَيُقِيمُونَ الصَّلَاةَ وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ

That is the book (The Holy Quran) in which there is no doubt, a guidance for the Muttaqeen. Those (Muttaqeen) who believe in the unseen, establish prayer, and spend from that which we have granted them.

3. The acceptable Waqf (Al-Waqf Al-Hasan)

This is to stop in a place where the phrase is complete, but there is a connection in both meaning and word of this phrase, with the one before it or after it. For example if someone decided to stop on: الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ which is only half way through Aayah number 1 of Surah Fatiha.

4. The unacceptable Waqf (Al Waqf Al-Qabeeh)

This is to stop in such a place where the sentence or phrase is incomplete, and there are connections in the word and meaning of it, with what's before and after. To stop in place like this would disturb the meaning of what's being recited. For example if someone decided to stop at:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَقْرَبُوا الصَّلَاةَ

Oh you who believe do not come close to Salah…

You shouldn't stop here because neither the sentence nor the meaning nor the word, are complete. Stopping here would disturb the meaning this Ayah and the message of The Holy Quran. Therefore it's very important to read on a little bit more to make sense of the Ayah. For example you can pause at:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَقْرَبُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَأَنتُمْ سُكَارَى

Oh you who believe do not come close to Salah while you are intoxicated…

Note: If someone runs out of breath and feels like he/she can't continue reading with that same breath, they are allowed to stop wherever they need to because of this necessity. They should then catch their breath and continue reading by starting from a few words before where they stopped so that the Aayah is coherent.

Wuqoof (Stops) in which the condition of reciter is considered

Wuqoof is the plural of Waqf, which means full stops in the Qur'an. There are four types of stops based on the condition of the reciter:

1. The voluntary stop (Al-Waqf Al-Ikhtiyaari)

To stop by choice to take a new breath. For example at the end of an Aayah.

2. The informative stop (Al-Waqf Al-Ikhtibaari)

To stop with the intention of explaining how the stop is made, or to test the student to see if he/she would be able to stop there if needed.

3. The involuntary stop (Al-Waqf Al-Idhtiraari)

The stop which is caused by an unplanned break in breath, or shortness of it.

4. The waiting stop (Al-Waqf Al-Intizaari)

To stop at a particular place to complete reciting in other Qira'aat (dialects of reciting The Holy Quran).

Note: There are ten authentic Qira'aat/dialects in which the Quran can be recited in Salah and outside of Salah. There are other dialects which can be used for information but can't be recited in Salah.

Saktah (سكتة)

There is a type of pause in between stopping and continuing, called Saktah. This means that you stop the utterance of letters, but you do not take a new breath like you would do if it was the end of an Aayah.

In the Qiraa'ah (dialect) of Imam Hafs from the way of Shaatibyyah (which is the way in which we recite the Qur'an as beginners), there are four places in the Quran in which Saktah happens:

1. Between Aayah 1 and 2 of Surah Kahf:

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَنزَلَ عَلَىٰ عَبْدِهِ الْكِتَابَ وَلَمْ يَجْعَل لَّهُ عِوَجًا ۜ (1) قَيِّمًا لِّيُنذِرَ بَأْسًا شَدِيدًا مِّن لَّدُنْهُ وَيُبَشِّرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ الَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ الصَّالِحَاتِ أَنَّ لَهُمْ أَجْرًا حَسَنًا

2. In Aayah number 52 of Surah Yaaseen:

قَالَ مَن يُحْيِي الْعِظَامَ وَهِيَ رَمِيمٌ ۜ

3. In Aayah number 27 of Surah Qiyaamah:

وَقِيلَ مَن ۜ رَاقٍ

4. In ayah number 14 of Surah Mutaffifeen:

كَلَّا بَلْ ۜ رَانَ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِم مَّا كَانُوا يَكْسِبُونَ