22 May
The Quran, the word of Allah and the ultimate guide for our lives invites us to approach Allah by reciting His divine words with precision and beauty. In this context, it is crucial to learn the rules of Tajweed to ensure our recitation is accurate and melodious. Among the many principles of Tajweed, the rules of Meem Sakinah play an important role. Although just a small part of the vast science of Quran recitation, mastering Meem sakinah rules is essential for preserving the sanctity and authenticity of the divine text.
What is Meem Sakinah?
Meem Sakinah is a crucial concept in the study of Tajweed, the science of proper recitation of the Quran. It refers to the letter Meem (م) when it appears in a non-vocalized state, without any accompanying vowel sound. In Arabic grammar, Sakinah generally means a person, thing, or state that remains at rest without movement. When applied to the letter Meem, it indicates that the Meem is stationary and does not have harakat (such as Fatha, Dammah, or Kasrah), instead, it has a fixed sukoon (absence of vowel) whether in the middle of a word or at the end when continued or paused.
Meem sakinah rules are essential for achieving accurate and melodious recitation of the Quran, as they involve changes in the way the Meem is articulated depending on the letter that follows it. Mastering the rules of Meem Sakinah is a crucial aspect of Tajweed, as it ensures the preservation of the Quranic text’s authenticity and the enhancement of the reciter’s connection with the divine words.
The rules of Meem Sakinah
The rules governing the pronunciation of Meem Sakinah revolve mainly around three concepts.
- Idgham Shafawi (Labial Merging): When a Meem Sakinah is preceded by a voweled Meem, the Meem Sakinah is merged into the voweled Meem to become one stressed Meem with a Shaddah.
Examples:
- “الَّذِي أَطْعَمَهُم مِّن جُوعٍ وَآمَنَهُم مِّنْ خَوْف”
- وَاللَّهُ أَنبَتَكُم مِّنَ الْأَرْضِ نَبَاتاً
- يُرْسِلِ السَّمَاء عَلَيْكُم مِّدْرَاراً
- Izhar Shafawi (Labial Clearness): When a Meem Sakinah is followed by any letter other than Meem (م) or Baa (ب), the Meem Sakinah is pronounced clearly without any merging or concealment. This is considered the easiest one of meem sakinah rules
Examples:
- “ذَٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ كَرِهُوا”
- “هُمْ قَوْمٌ خَصِمُونَ”
- “لَهُمْ فِيهَا دَارُ”
- Ikhfa Shafawi (Labial Concealment): In the case of Ikhfaa Shafawi, the Meem Sakinah is hidden into the following letter and pronounced in a manner that is between Izhar (clear articulation) and Idgham (complete merging). Additionally, there is a Ghunnah (nasalization) on the Meem. This specific rule of Ikhfaa Meem Sakinah applies only when the Meem is followed by the letter Baa (ب), and it only occurs between two words.
The term “Shafawi” comes from the Arabic word “شفة”, which means lips, as the point of articulation for both Meem and Baa is the lips.
Examples:
- “فلمّا أَنبَأَهُم بِأَسْمَائِهِمْ”
- “أَتُحَدِّثُونَهُم بِمَا فَتَحَ”
- “خذوا ما آتَيْنَاكُم بِقُوَّةٍ”
To achieve accurate and melodious recitation of the Quran, it is crucial to master the rules of Meem Sakinah. These rules play a vital role in preserving the authenticity of the text and strengthening the reciter’s connection with the divine words.
Exercises to Improve Meem Sakinah
Several exercises can be significantly beneficial to enhance your pronunciation and mastery of meem sakinah rules in the context of Arabic phonetics and Quranic recitation:
- Identify Meem Sakinah, read a passage from the Quran, and highlight all instances of Meem Sakinah. Pay attention to the letters that follow the Meem Sakinah to determine which rule (Ikhfaa Shafawi, Idgham Shafawi, Idhhar Shafawi) applies. You can also practice with specific examples by writing down examples for each rule then Recite these examples repeatedly, focusing on the correct articulation.
- Listen carefully to your preferred sheik and observe how they pronounce Meem Sakinah in various situations. Play a brief passage and pause after each occurrence of Meem Sakinah. Then repeat what you heard, attempting to replicate the reciter’s pronunciation as accurately as you can. Finally, record your recitation and compare it to the original to identify areas where you can improve.
- Work with a qualified Quranic tutor who can provide personalized feedback on your recitation. Additionally, schedule regular sessions to practice and refine your pronunciation to master meem sakinah rules.
Engaging in interactive sessions where the tutor listens and corrects your mistakes in real time. - Write out verses from the Quran that include Meem Sakinah, and recite them multiple times while focusing on applying the correct rules. Oral Repetition can also be beneficial; repeat the same verses aloud, gradually increasing your speed while maintaining proper pronunciation and articulation.
Online tajweed course with Noor Institute
Tajweed, the science of Quranic recitation, encompasses a vast and profound body of knowledge that is essential for the accurate and beautiful recitation of the Quran. It comprises a multitude of rules and principles that govern pronunciation, articulation, and intonation, all aimed at preserving the sanctity and authenticity of the divine text, with meem sakinah rules being just a small part of it.
Noor Institute offers a comprehensive online Tajweed course that guides students through a transformative journey of mastering the art of Quran recitation. The course curriculum is meticulously designed to build a solid foundation in Arabic phonetics, gradually progressing to advanced Tajweed techniques.
Under the guidance of expert instructors, learners delve into the complex rules of tajweed, mastering the articulation and the subtleties of pausing gracefully during recitation, with a particular focus on recitation rules.
The interactive online platform facilitates live sessions, ensuring personalized attention and multilingual support for a global audience.
With a focus on accuracy and spiritual connection, the course culminates in a verse-by-verse analysis, empowering students to achieve a recitation that not only adheres to technical precision but also captures the essence of the Quran.
Noor Institute’s commitment to providing affordable, high-quality education makes their online Tajweed course accessible to all, with a free trial session that allows learners to experience engaging and effective teaching methodologies firsthand.
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