articulation point of Arabic letters

Usama Ghumman · 27/12/2021

articulation point of Arabic letters

Usama Ghumman 1 Comment

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Articulation points | Makhraj of all Arabic letters| how to pronounce Arabic letters

Quran has been revealed in Arabic

It was the Arabic language that Allah (SAW) choose for the Quran to send it. One of the most distinctive characteristics of the Arabic language – regardless of its word variety and ability to express meaning – is clarity. Simply in Arabic, you should use the widest scale of tajweed articulation points, and that is why some non-Arabic speakers find it difficult of Makhraj of all Arabic letters. Because simply they have not used to move that articulation point.

Articulation points and Quran Recitation

Articulation points of Arabic letters are one of the most important branches of Tajweed. The research deals with how and from where exactly each of the Arabic alphabet shall be pronounced. It is about how you should use the pronunciation organs – throat, tongue, lips, oral cavity – to produce the exact sound as Prophet Mohammed received from Allah and taught us to pronounce. One now can imagine the role of Tajweed to save Quran recitation as received from Allah, nevertheless, its role is to save the Arabic language as the original Arabs used to speak in it.

In this article, we are about to discuss some of the tiny details related to articulation points. More exactly, it is about common tajweed mistakes that happen while producing some of the Arabic letters that mainly are occurred due to not producing the letter from its precise point.

This article deals with Madd letters: Alif Madd, Waw Madd, and Yaa Madd. We will start mentioning the letter and then its common pronunciation mistakes will follow in points:

Alif Madd

Not opening the mouth as much as necessary when uttering it.

Some people read the letter Alif without opening their mouth enough, which cause some different sound to be heard other than the pure and original Arabic Alif.

Mixing Alif sound with something of the sound of the Yaa. This causes Alif to be Alif with Imala.

To avoid that, one should not raise the center of his tongue while pronouncing Alif that will help not to make it mix with the sound of Yaa. For as it is known, Yaa is pronounced by raising the center of the tongue, but Alif should be pronounced while the tongue is flat

Mixing Alif sound with something of the sound of the Waw

This is done when one rounds lips while pronouncing Alif, the right way is to open mouth.

Applying Tafkheem (to be heavy) in the case of Tarqeek (to be light)

This mistake is common while pronouncing words like {النهار} {الباطل} {النار}

Applying Tarqeek (to be light) in the case of Tafkheem (to be light)

This mistake is common while pronouncing words like {خالدين} {غائبة}

Mixing Alif sound with the sound which comes from nose Ghunnah.

One should completely close the nasal passage not to let the sound of Ghunnah be mixed with the Alif sound.

Waw Madd

Not rounding it to the proper degree required when uttering Waw, like {تعملون}

While pronouncing Waw, one should know to which degree exactly he/she may round lips to produce the Arabic Waw’s sound.

Pressing lips more than what is required when pronouncing Waw, like {يقولون}

While pronouncing Waw, one should not exaggerate rounding his lips.

Mixing Waw sound with something of the sound of the Alif, Like: {كانوا}
Mixing Waw sound with something of the sound of the Yaa, Like: {يوقنون}

To avoid that, one should not raise the center of his tongue while pronouncing Waw.

Mixing Waw sound with the sound which comes from nose Ghunnah.

One should completely close the nasal passage not to let the sound of Ghunnah be mixed with the Waw sound.

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Yaa Madd

Mixing Yaa sound with something of the sound of the Alif, Like: {نستعين}

What happens when one does not raise the center of the tongue to the proper level required when pronouncing Yaa.

Pressing the center of the tongue more than what is required when pronouncing Yaa, like {المستقيم}

The different sounds would be produced if one pressed the central tongue more than required.

Mixing Yaa sound with the sound which comes from nose Ghunnah, like what happens when pronouncing the word: {العالمين}

One should completely close the nasal passage not to let the sound of Ghunnah be mixed with the Waw sound. It is known that Ghunnah should not be applied for Madd letters, but with Meem and Noon.

Hamza

Applying Tafkheem (to be heavy) in the case of Tarqeek (to be light)

Hamza is a light letter, but it is a common mistake to make it heavy especially if hamza is close to a heavy letter, like {أصابعهم}

Applying Tasheel (not closing the articulation point of Hamza completely) in a case of Tahqiq (closing it completely), like {يا أيها}
Making Hamza sound too weak not to be heard. This mistake happens in case of stopping, like {السماء}

Haa (هـ)

Applying Tafkheem (to be heavy) in the case of Tarqeek (to be light)

Haa is a light letter, but it is a common mistake to make it heavy especially if it is close to a heavy letter, like {النهار}

Pronouncing weak sound of Haa, this mistake happens because of separating between the vocal cords more than required, like {اهدنا}
Do not pronounce the sound of Haa clearly if it is close to another Haa or a sound very near to Haa like the letter (ح), like {جباههم}{وسبحه ليلا}
Pronouncing weak sound of Haa, or change its sound to the sound of Alif, in case stopping, like {الحاقة}

‘Aeen (ع)

Pronouncing it near to the heavy Alif, with a point near to lips as an articulation point. The right way is to pronounce ‘Aeen from the middle of the throat, like {نعبد}
To make its sound stop when pronouncing it with Sukoon. The right way is to let sound run to some degree when pronouncing ‘Aeen, for the articulation point of ‘Aeen is not so strong and not so weak, it has Tawasut. Example: {يعملون}.
Applying Tafkheem (to be heavy), this mistake is common especially if it is close to a heavy letter, like: {عصوا}.
Pronouncing ‘Aeen similar to the Hamza, like {يعلم}

Haa (ح)

Pronouncing Haa (ح) like Khaw (خ) or Haa (هـ), this mistake is done basically by non-Arabs, for they not used to use the articulation point of Haa (ح) which comes from the middle of the throat, so some of them find it easy to pronounce it like letter Khaw (خ) or Haa (هـ) instead, like {الرخمن الرخيم} or, like {الرهمن الرهيم}
Pronouncing it without making its characteristic of Hams (running of air) clear. Hams should be applied to the letter Haa, like {الرحمن الرحيم}
Pronouncing it unclearly especially it comes close to ‘Aeen.

‘Aeen and Haa comes from the same articulation point, that is why the characteristic of Hams in Haa should be applied properly not to find it skipped like it was mixed with ‘Aeen (have Idgham in ‘Aeen), like {فاصفح عنهم}

Ghayn

Mixing Ghayn’s sound with the sound of Qaaf. Ghayn is pronounced from the nearest part of the throat, however, Qaaf comes from the back of the tongue. Some people mix Ghayn with the sound of Qaaf, like {غير المغضوب}
Applying Idgham for Ghayn into Qaaf, that mistake happens with the reader does not apply the characteristic of Rakhawah (running of sound due to weakness of articulation point) for the letter Ghayn, like {لا تزغ قلوبنا}
Changing Ghayn sound to the letter Khaw, that mistake happens because Ghayn and Khaw are produced from the same articulation point, but their characteristics are different: Ghayn has Hams (running of air), but Khaw has Jahr (stopping air), like {يخشى} and {يغشى}
Applying Qalqalah for Ghayn. This happens when the Quran reader does not apply the characteristic of Rakhawah for Ghayn (running of sound), like {المغضوب}
Applying strong Tafkheen (to be heavy) in the case of Ghayn with Kasrah. One should apply the lowest level of Tafkheem for Ghayn in case it has Kasrah, like {من غِل}

Khaw (خ)

Making it light. Khaw is a heavy letter, so heaviness shall be applied for it, {خالدين}.
Applying strong Tafkheem (to be heavy) in the case of Khaw with Kasrah. One should apply one of the lowest levels of Tafkheem for Khaw in case it has Kasrah, like {وخِيفة}

In this article also, we are about to discuss some of the tiny details related to articulation points, and more exactly, it is about common mistakes that happen while producing some of the Arabic letters which mainly are occurred due to not producing the letter from its precise point.

This article deals with letters that come from the back and center of the tongue: Qaaf, Kaaf, Geem, Sheen, and Yaa. We will start mentioning the letter and then its common pronunciation mistakes will follow in points:

Qaaf (ق)

Pronouncing Qaaf mixed with the sound of kaaf such as {قال}

It is a common mistake to produce Qaaf from the articulation point of Kaaf. Qaaf is pronounced from the farthest part of the back of the tongue, while Kaaf is a little bit outer.

Excessive weakening the heaviness of Qaaf if it has Kasrah, to that level that it sounds like kaaf, such as {بالحقِّ}

To some extent, one shall make the heaviness of Qaaf with Kasrah weaker, but not to be light like Kaaf.

Changing the sound of Qaaf to the letter “G” in “Green”. Example {ولقد خلقنا}.

This mistake is common in Hadramawt city.

Mixing the sound of Qaaf with Ghayn. “. Example {القدر}.

This mistake is common in Sudan.

Pronouncing Qaaf with Hams, running of air. Example {قالوا}.

Qaaf should be pronounced with Jahr, stopping the running of air.

Kaaf (ك)

Exaggerating in applying Hams, running of air, while pronouncing it with Haraka, such as {فكَانوا} and {كُورت}

Kaaf should have Hams but do not exaggerate its Hams.

Not apply Hams especially if it has Sukoon, such as {ذكْرك} and {يكْتبون}

Kaff with sukoon shall has Hams.

Pronouncing Kaaf with the sound of Qaaf such as {وتركوك قائما}

Kaaf is light and comes from a point on the back of tongue outer than that of Qaaf.

Geem (ج)

Pronouncing Geem with Rakhawah, running of the sound.

Geem shall be pronounced with Shiddah, preventing the sound from running, due to the strength of the Makhraj. Example: {جَعَلُوا} and {جَنَّة}.

Mixing Qaaf (ق) sound with the sound of Daal (د)

It is a mistake when pronouncing Geem, to use the tip of the tongue. Geem should be produced from the center of the tongue elevated to the hard plate. Example: {يَجعَلُون}.

Mixing Geem (ج) sound with the sound of Sheen (ش)

Geem and Sheen have the same Makhraj, although Geem has Siddah, Sheen has Rakhawah. Example: {المجاهدين}.

Changing Geem (ج) to Yaa (ي).

Some Arabs change Geem to (ج) Yaa (ي), but the Quran was not revealed in that way. Example: {المَسجِد}.

Changing Geem to the sound of the letter “G”, in Green” this mistake is common in Egypt.

Geem comes from the center of the tongue, not from its back.

Sheen (ش)

Pronouncing it with a weak sound.

One should apply Tafashi, spreading of sound in the mouth, with Sheen. Example: {اشتروا}.

Keeping Sheen sound restricted in the mouth due to not separating between the two jaws.

Sheen should come from the mouth smoothly by separating the two jaws a little bit, example {من الشيطان}.

Pronouncing Sheen from an articulation point nearer to the lips more than its proper Makhraj, so that one may hear sound mixed with the sound of Seen.

Mixing Sheen sound with Seen is not correct, and this is happen due to producing it from a point nearer to lips than to its proper point of articulation, the center of the tongue.

Pronouncing Sheen heavy if it was close to a heavy letter. Example: {شَطَطا}.

Sheen is a light letter.

Yaa (ي)

The excessive pressure of the central tongue on the hard palate, especially in the case, if Yaa has Shaddah. Example: {أينما} and {إياك}.

Shaddah shall be applied without excessive pressure on the center of the tongue.

Mixing Yaa sound with Ghunnah sound. Example: {الدنيا}

Letting a nasal sound be out when pronouncing Yaa is not correct.

Not lowering jaw, so that the sound of Yaa is not clear. Example: {وأوحينا} and {تَرَين}

One should lower jaw when pronouncing

Pronouncing unclear sound of Yaa, if two Yaa comes after each other. Example {وأحيينا}.

One shall pronounce the first Yaa with its movement from the proper Makhraj and return again to the articulation point of Yaa to pronounce the second Yaa with its movement clearly.

In this article, we are about to discuss some of the tiny details related to articulation points, and more exactly, it is about common mistakes that happen while producing some of the Arabic letters which mainly are occurred due to not producing the letter from its precise point.

This article deals with letters that come from the back and center of the tongue: Qaaf, Kaaf, Geem, Sheen, and Yaa. We will start mentioning the letter and then its common pronunciation mistakes will follow in points:

Qaaf (ق)

Pronouncing Qaaf mixed with the sound of kaaf such as {قال}

It is a common mistake to produce Qaaf from the articulation point of Kaaf. Qaaf is pronounced from the farthest part of the back of the tongue, while Kaaf is a little bit outer.

Excessive weakening the heaviness of Qaaf if it has Kasrah, to that level that it sounds like kaaf, such as {بالحقِّ}

To some extent, one shall make the heaviness of Qaaf with Kasrah weaker, but not to be light like Kaaf.

Changing the sound of Qaaf to the letter “G” in “Green”. Example {ولقد خلقنا}.

This mistake is common in Hadramawt city.

Mixing the sound of Qaaf with Ghayn. “. Example {القدر}.

This mistake is common in Sudan.

Pronouncing Qaaf with Hams, running of air. Example {قالوا}.

Qaaf should be pronounced with Jahr, stopping the running of air.

Kaaf (ك)

Exaggerating in applying Hams, running of air, while pronouncing it with Haraka, such as {فكَانوا} and {كُورت}

Kaaf should have Hams but do not exaggerate its Hams.

Not apply Hams especially if it has Sukoon, such as {ذكْرك} and {يكْتبون}

Kaff with sukoon shall has Hams.

Pronouncing Kaaf with the sound of Qaaf such as {وتركوك قائما}

Kaaf is light and comes from a point on the back of tongue outer than that of Qaaf.

Geem (ج)

Pronouncing Geem with Rakhawah, running of the sound.

Geem shall be pronounced with Shiddah, preventing the sound running, due to the strength of the Makhraj. Example: {جَعَلُوا} and {جَنَّة}.

Mixing Qaaf (ق) sound with the sound of Daal (د)

It is a mistake when pronouncing Geem, to use the tip of the tongue. Geem should be produced from the center of the tongue elevated to the hard plate. Example: {يَجعَلُون}.

Mixing Geem (ج) sound with the sound of Sheen (ش)

Geem and Sheen have the same Makhraj, although Geem has Siddah, the sheen has Rakhawah. Example: {المجاهدين}.

Changing Geem (ج) to Yaa (ي).

Some Arabs change Geem to (ج) Yaa (ي), but the Quran was not revealed in that way. Example: {المَسجِد}.

Changing Geem to the sound of the letter “G”, in Green” this mistake is common in Egypt.

Geem comes from the center of the tongue, not from its back.

Sheen (ش)

Pronouncing it with a weak sound.

One should apply Tafashi, spreading of sound in the mouth, with Sheen. Example: {اشتروا}.

Keeping Sheen sound restricted in the mouth due to not separating between the two jaws.

Sheen should come from the mouth smoothly by separating the two jaws a little bit, example {من الشيطان}.

Pronouncing Sheen from an articulation point nearer to the lips more than its proper Makhraj, so that one may hear sound mixed with the sound of Seen.

Mixing Sheen sound with Seen is not correct, and this is happen due to producing it from a point nearer to lips than to its proper point of articulation, the center of the tongue.

Pronouncing Sheen heavy if it was close to a heavy letter. Example: {شَطَطا}.

Sheen is a light letter

Yaa (ي)

The excessive pressure of the central tongue on the hard palate, especially in case if Yaa has shaddah. Example: {أينما} and {إياك}.

Shaddah shall be applied without excessive pressure on the central tongue.

Mixing Yaa sound with Ghunnah sound. Example: {الدنيا}

Letting a nasal sound be out when pronouncing Yaa is not correct.

Not lowering jaw, so that the sound of Yaa is not clear. Example: {وأوحينا} and {تَرَين}

One should lower jaw when pronouncing

Pronouncing unclear sound of Yaa, if two Yaa comes after each other. Example {وأحيينا}.

One shall pronounce the first Yaa with its movement from the proper Makhraj and return again to the articulation point of Yaa to pronounce the second Yaa with its movement clearly.

In this article, we are about to discuss some of the tiny details related to articulation points, and more exactly, it is about common mistakes that happen while producing some of the Arabic letters which mainly are occurred due to not producing the letter from its precise point.

This article deals with the letters: Daad, Laam, Noon, and Raa. We will start mentioning the letter and then its common pronunciation mistakes will follow in points:

Daad (ض)

Changing Daad sound to Dhaa (ظ), example {ضل}

Daad (ض) is pronounced from the right and left sides of the tongue, but Dhaa (ظ) comes from the tip of the tongue with the ends of the upper teeth.

Changing Daad (ض) sound to Daal (د), example {ضل}

The reason for that is the excessive reliance upon the tip of the tongue when pronouncing Daad (ض), so one would produce heavy Daal (د).

Making sound break, due to its self-stretching {الضالين}

Daad (ض) is a self-stretching letter, but this does not mean to make a sound break.

Applying Qalqalah for it, this mistake is common in a word like {وقضْبا}

Daad (ض) is not one of Qalaqalah, (echo), letters (قطب جد).

Producing a nasal sound when saying Daad (ض).

It is not correct to use a nasal passage when pronouncing the sound of the letter Daad.

Applying Idghaam (Merging) for Daad with the letter after it, such as {اضْطُر} and {عرَّضْتم}

When pronouncing Daad (ض), one should depend upon the two sides of their tongue in order to give Daad its Rakhawah, (running of sound) and to avoid mixing it with the letter after it.

Laam (ل)

Applying Tafkheem (full mouth) to it, when it should be light, such as {اللطيف}

Basically, Laam is a light letter.

Applying Tarqeq (to be light), when it should be heavy, such as {منَ الله}

In the word {الله}, Laam should be full mouth (heavy), if the preceding letter has either the movement of Fattha or Dammah.

Applying Idgham (Merging) into the letter after it, this mistake may be done in a work like {أنْزَلْنَا} and {ربنا ولا تحملْنَا}.

Laam in these words should be done clearly.

Merging the Moon Laam in the letter Geem, this mistake may be done in a work like {الجبال}

Defining Laam should be done clearly if any of these letters comes after (أبغ حجك وخف عقيمه)

Producing a nasal sound when pronouncing it, this mistake may be done in a work like {بالله}

Noon (ن)

Not applying Ghunnah (nasal sound) in case of stopping upon Noon, such as: {نستعينْ}.

One should not cut off the sound of Noon, for Tawasot (partially running of sound) should be applied for it.

Excessive nasal sound (Ghunnah) in case of stopping upon Noon, such as: {نستعينْ}.

Partially and not full running of sound should be applied for the letter Noon.

Applying echo (Qalqalah) if Noon has Sukoon, such as: {أَنْعمت}.

Noon is not one of the letters of Qlaqalah, so it should be pronounced without Qalqalah.

Applying Tafkheem (full mouth) to it, when it is close to a heavy letter, such as: {النَّار}.
Shaking its nasal sound (Ghunnah) when pronouncing Noon, such as {من الجنَّة والنَّاس}.

Scholars have prevented the nasal sound (Ghunnah), or Madd letters to be shaken, it is wrong in Quran recitation.

Raa (ر)

Changing Raa sound to Ghayn, or other sound produced by mouth, such as: {الرحمن الرحيم}.
Applying Tafkheem (full mouth) to it when it should be light, or Applying Tarqeeq (light) to it, when it should be heavy, such as {مُذَكِرْ} and {مَرْيَم}.

Raa can be light or heavy, one should pronounce it in the proper way.

Excessive repetition for Raa sound, especially if it has Sukoon or Shaddah, such as {الرَّزاق}

The repetition of Raa in case of Sukoon and Shaddah should be controlled, so {الرَّزاق} should not be {الررررزاق}

Pronouncing Raa with Shiddah (Strong Makhraj), which will produce cut off Raa, such as {الرَّحمن الرَّحيم}
Rounding lips when pronouncing Raa, such as {الرَّحمن الرَّحيم}
Pronouncing unclear Raa, especially if Sukoon is assigned to it due to stopping, such as: {خُسْرِ}.

One should let the sound partially run, for Raa has Tawasot, otherwise, it will be as he is stopping upon Seen.

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articulation point of Arabic letters