Categories of Al-Madd Al-Lazim (Obligatory Prolongation) and Al-Qalqalah (The Echoing Effect)

 

Categories of Al-Madd Al-Lazim (Obligatory Prolongation)

Q: What are the classifications of al-madd al-lazim along with illustrative examples?

A: The obligatory prolongation, or al-madd al-lazim, is categorised into two principal divisions: kalimi (word-based) and harfi (letter-based). Each of these is further delineated into two subtypes: mukhaffaf (light) and muthaqqal (heavy). This results in a total of four distinct subcategories, as follows:

 

1. Heavy Word-Based Madd (Al-Madd Al-Lazim Al-Muthaqqal Al-Kalimi):

This category arises when a letter of prolongation (harf madd) is immediately followed by a consonant that is merged (muÌgham) into the subsequent letter. examples include:

﴿الصَّاخَّةُ﴾       ﴿أَتُحَاجُّونِّي﴾     ﴿الْحَاقَّةُ﴾        ﴿الطَّامَّةُ﴾

2. Light Word-Based Madd (Al-Madd Al-Lazim Al-Mukhaffaf Al-Kalimi):

This type occurs when a letter of prolongation is followed by a non-merged consonant. In the Qur'an, this category is exemplified solely by the following two instances in surah Yunus (verses 51 and 91):

﴿آلْآنَ وَقَدْ كُنْتُمْ بِهِ تَسْتَعْجِلُونَ﴾ ﴿آلْآنَ وَقَدْ عَصَيْتَ﴾.

 

3. Heavy Letter-Based Madd (Al-Madd Al-Lazim Al-Muthaqqal Al-Harfi):

This category is observed in the abbreviated letters (muqatta'Ét) found at the openings of certain surahs. It occurs when the spelled-out form of the letter comprises three components: the middle is a letter of prolongation, and the third is merged with the letter that follows. Examples include:

• The Lam in {الم}
• The Seen in {طسم}

 

4. Light Letter-Based Madd (Al-Madd Al-Lazim Al-Mukhaffaf Al-Harfi):

This type also appears in the introductory abbreviated letters of certain surahs. It occurs when the spelled-out form of the letter comprises three components: the middle is a letter of prolongation, and the third is non-merged. Examples include:

• The Qaf in {ق}
• The Sad in {ص}

 

Al-Qalqalah (The Echoing Effect)

Q: What is the definition of qalqalah both linguistically and technically?

A:

• Linguistic Definition: Qalqalah is derived from the concept of movement or oscillation.
• Technical Definition: It refers to the emphatic vibration or reverberation of a letter’s sound when pronounced in a state of sukoon (stillness) at its articulation point, resulting in a strong and discernible resonance.

 

Q: What are the letters of qalqalah, and what examples illustrate them?

A: The letters of qalqalah are five and are encapsulated in the mnemonic phrase "قطب جد" (Qaf, Ùa, Ba, Jim, Dal). When in a state of sukoon, these letters exhibit a distinct resonance or echo, as exemplified by:

﴿الْفَلَقِ﴾

 

Q: How is qalqalah categorised?

A: Qalqalah is classified into two distinct types:

1.      Minor (Ṣughra): This occurs when a qalqalah letter appears in a state of sukoon within the middle of a word or sentence. Examples include:

﴿خَلَقْنَا﴾

﴿لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ﴾.

2.      Major (Kubra): This occurs when a qalqalah letter is in a state of sukoon at the end of a word, producing a more pronounced resonance. Examples include:

﴿اِخْتِلاقٌ﴾.

In this instance, the vibration is notably more forceful compared to the minor form. Examples of Qalqalah Types

Letter	Example	Type
Qaf	﴿يَقْتُلُونَ﴾، ﴿يَقْدِرُونَ﴾	Minor
Ta	﴿لُوطٍ﴾، ﴿مُحِيطٌ﴾	Major
Ba	﴿الرَّقِيبَ﴾، ﴿الثَّاقِبُ﴾	Major
Jim	﴿الْبُرُوجِ﴾، ﴿بَهِيجٍ﴾	Major
Dal	﴿الْمَوْعُودِ﴾، ﴿أَحَدٌ﴾	Major