مخارج الحروف (Makhārij al-Hurūf)
The physical organs and exact anatomical points from which each Arabic letter originates.
Al-Jawf
The empty space in the mouth and throat. This is not a specific physical point that you touch with your tongue or lips. It is the empty, open cavity of the throat and mouth.
Specific Articulation Points (1)
The sound originates in the chest and travels out smoothly through the open throat and mouth without being obstructed by the tongue or lips. Note: Alif must be preceded by a Fathah, Waw by a Dammah, and Yaa by a Kasrah.
Al-Halq
The throat, which is divided into three distinct levels (Aqsa, Wasat, Adna), producing six letters known as the "Throat Letters" (Huroof al-Halqiyyah).
Specific Articulation Points (3)
The deepest part of the throat, nearest to the chest.
The middle of the throat, in the area of the epiglottis.
The closest part of the throat, near the root of the tongue/uvula.
Al-Lisan
The tongue is the most active organ in speech and has the most specific articulation points.
Specific Articulation Points (10)
Deepest part of the tongue touching the soft palate (upper fleshy part).
Deepest part of the tongue touching the hard and soft palate (slightly below Qaaf).
Middle of the tongue touching the roof of the mouth directly above it.
The side/edge of the tongue (right, left, or both) pressing against the inner gums of the upper molars. This is considered the hardest letter to pronounce.
The front edges of the tongue (from the Dhaad point up to the tip) touching the gums of the upper front teeth (the premolars, canines, and incisors).
The tip of the tongue touching the gums of the two top front incisors (slightly below the Laam point).
The tip of the tongue (including a bit of the top of the tip) touching the gums of the two top front incisors (slightly above the Noon point).
The tip of the tongue touching the roots/base of the two top front incisors. (Note: ط is heavy, د and ت are light).
The tip of the tongue coming close to the inner plates of the top and bottom front teeth (sound passes between them). (Note: ص is heavy, ز and س are light).
The tip of the tongue touching the bottom edges of the two top front incisors. (Note: ظ is heavy, ذ and ث are light).
Ash-Shafatain
The two lips, which produce four letters from two specific articulation points.
Specific Articulation Points (4)
The inside (wet part) of the lower lip touching the edges of the two top front incisors.
Closing the lips completely (with nasal sound).
Closing the lips completely (without nasal sound).
Forming the lips into a circle/O-shape without them touching completely.
Al-Khaishoom
The nasal cavity. It does not produce any specific Arabic letter, but rather the Ghunnah (Nasal Resonance) sound.
Specific Articulation Points (1)
The sound resonates through the nose. This sound is an inherent, inseparable part of Noon and Meem.
Interactive Letter Articulation Explorer
Interactive Arabic Letter Explorer
Click any letter below to generate its complete Tajweed articulation, attributes, and triggered recitation rules.
Articulation (المخرج)
The tip of the tongue touching the gums of the two top front incisors (slightly below the Laam point).
Light (Tarqīq - مرقق)
Intrinsic Attributes (الصفات)
Triggered Recitation Rules (Ahkām involving 'ن')
Idghaam Bi-Ghunnah
The "N" sound is dropped, merging directly into the next letter while holding a nasal sound (Ghunnah) for 2 counts.
Izhaar Shafawi
Pronouncing the Meem completely clearly, without merging it and without holding any extra nasal sound.
Ghunnah Mushaddadah
Whenever a Meem or Noon has a Shaddah, the reciter must hold the sound with a strong nasal vibration (Ghunnah) for 2 counts.
Idghaam Shamsi
The Laam is silent and merges completely into the following letter.