The Rules Governing the Sakin Meem and Madd (Elongation)

 

The Rules Governing the Sakin Meem

Q: What is the sakin meem, and what are its governing principles?

A:

The meem (م) is a letter articulated by the complete closure of the two lips. Its phonetic realisation is subject to three principal rules: ikhfa' shafawi (labial concealment), idgham shafawi (labial assimilation), and izhar shafawi (labial clarity).

 

1. Ikhfa' Shafawi (Labial Concealment)

Ikhfa' shafawi occurs when the letter ba’ (ب) follows the sakin meem. In such instances, the meem is articulated in a concealed manner while retaining a nasal resonance (ghunnah). Examples include:

• ﴿تَرْمِيهِمْ بِحِجارَةٍ﴾.
• ﴿وَهُمْ بِالْآخِرَةِ﴾.

 

2. Idgham Shafawi (Labial Assimilation)

This rule is applied when a sakin meem is immediately followed by another meem. In such a scenario, the first meem is assimilated into the second, a phenomenon referred to as idgham of identical letters (idgham al-mithlayn or idgham al-mutamathilayn). Examples include:

• ﴿فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ مَرَضٌ﴾
• ﴿لَهُمْ ما يشاؤون﴾.

 

3. Izhar Shafawi (Labial Clarity)

Izhar shafawi is implemented when the sakin meem is followed by any letter of the Arabic alphabet other than ba’ (ب) or meem (م). The meem is articulated distinctly, with additional clarity emphasised before the letters fa’ (ف) and waw (و). Examples include:

• ﴿مَثَلُهُمْ كَمَثَلِ﴾
• ﴿وَهُمْ فِيهَا﴾

 

The Rules Governing Madd (Elongation)

Q: What is the definition of madd in linguistic and technical terms?

A:

• Linguistic Definition: The term madd signifies augmentation or extension.
• Technical Definition: Madd refers to the lengthening of a sound when pronouncing a letter of elongation (harf al-madd).

Q: What are the letters of madd?

A: The letters of madd are three:

1. Alif (ا): A static alif preceded by a letter bearing a fatḥah.
2. Waw (و): A static waw preceded by a letter bearing a ḍammah.
3. Ya’ (ي): A static ya’ preceded by a letter bearing a kasrah.

These letters are summarised in the word {نُوحِيهَا}.

 

Q: What are the types of madd?

A: Madd is divided into two primary categories, encompassing nine distinct types.

 

A. Madd Asli (Intrinsic Madd)

This form of madd is fundamental to the structure of the letter and does not depend on an external cause, such as the presence of a hamzah or a sukoon. It is extended by the duration of two counts (harakah).

The intrinsic madd includes the following four types:

1. Natural Madd (al-madd al-tabi’i)
2. Substitution Madd (madd al-badal)
3. Compensatory Madd (madd al-‘iwad)
4. Small Link Madd (madd al-silah al-sughra)

 

B. Madd Far‘i (Secondary Madd)

Secondary madd arises due to the occurrence of a hamzah or sukoon in conjunction with a letter of elongation.

It encompasses the following five types:

1. Mandatory Connected Madd (al-madd al-wajib al-muttasil)
2. Permissible Disconnected Madd (al-madd al-ja’iz al-munfasil)
3. Necessary Madd (al-madd al-lazim)
4. Soft Madd (madd al-lin)
5. Accidental Madd for Pause (madd al-‘arid lil-sukun)

Additionally, the greater link madd (madd al-silah al-kubra) is categorised under the permissible disconnected madd (al-madd al-ja’iz al-munfasil).