صفات الحروف (Sifāt al-Hurūf)
The intrinsic acoustic qualities and intrinsic behaviors of letters when recited with silent or voweled state.
1. Sifāt with Opposites (الصفات المتضادة)
5 Pairs (11 Qualities)Al-Hams
الهَمْسThe continuation of breath when pronouncing the letter due to a weak reliance on its articulation point. (The Whisper)
Al-Jahr
الجَهْرThe stoppage of breath when pronouncing the letter due to strong reliance on its articulation point. (The Apparent)
Ash-Shiddah
الشِّدَّةThe complete stoppage of the sound flow. (The Strength)
Ar-Rakhawah
الرَّخَاوَةThe free, uninterrupted flow of sound. (The Softness)
At-Tawassut
التَّوَسُّطPartial flow and partial stoppage of sound. (The Middle)
Al-Isti'laa
الاِسْتِعْلَاءElevating the deep back part of the tongue to the roof of the mouth, producing a thick, heavy, echoing sound (Tafkheem).
Al-Istifaal
الاِسْتِفَالKeeping the back of the tongue lowered, producing a flat, thin, light sound (Tarqeeq).
Al-Itbaaq
الإِطْبَاقCompressing/sticking a large portion of the tongue to the roof of the mouth. These are the heaviest letters.
Al-Infitah
الاِنْفِتَاحKeeping a space between the tongue and the roof of the mouth.
Al-Idhlaq
الإِذْلَاقLetters pronounced with ease and speed because they originate from the tip of the tongue or the lips.
Al-Ismaat
الإِصْمَاتLetters that are heavier or take more effort to pronounce.
2. Sifāt Without Opposites (الصفات التي لا ضد لها)
7 Unique AttributesAs-Safeer
الصَّفِيرA sharp, whistling sound that naturally exits between the front teeth.
Al-Qalqalah
القَلْقَلَةA strong rebounding or echoing vibration of the letter when it is recited with a Sukoon (no vowel).
Al-Leen
اللِّينPronouncing the letter with utmost ease and softness without any exertion. (Waw and Yaa with Sukoon preceded by Fathah).
Al-Inhiraf
الاِنْحِرَافThe slight leaning or drifting of the sound away from its original articulation point towards another.
At-Takreer
التَّكْرِيرThe rapid trembling or rolling of the tip of the tongue. Important to know this to AVOID exaggerating it.
At-Tafash-shi
التَّفَشِّيThe massive spreading of breath throughout the mouth until it hits the inner front teeth.
Al-Istitaalah
الاِسْتِطَالَةThe gradual lengthening or sliding of the sound along the side edge of the tongue until it meets the Makhraj of Laam.
التفخيم والترقيق (Tafkhīm & Tarqīq)
Rules governing heavy (thick, echoing sound) versus light (flat, thin sound) letter pronunciation.
Always Heavy (Tafkheem)
These letters are always pronounced with a heavy, echoing sound.
Usually Light, Sometimes Heavy
Alif follows the letter before it. Laam in the Name of Allah is heavy if preceded by Fathah/Dammah, light if Kasrah. Raa has complex rules based on its vowel and surrounding vowels.
Always Light (Tarqeeq)
All other letters in the alphabet are pronounced with a light, flat sound.