Intermediate
Meem Saakinah Rules
Ikhfa Shafawi — Meem before Ba
Ikhfa Shafawi occurs when Meem Sakinah meets Ba (ب) only.
How to perform:
Izhar: lips close firmly and open clearly.
Ikhfa: lips close lightly with ghunnah before Ba.
Examples:
How to perform:
- Close lips for Meem without pressing hard
- Maintain ghunnah for 2 counts from the nasal passage
- Then pronounce Ba
Izhar: lips close firmly and open clearly.
Ikhfa: lips close lightly with ghunnah before Ba.
Examples:
- "وَمَا هُم بِمُؤْمِنِينَ" — meem sakinah before ba
- "تَرْمِيهِم بِحِجَارَةٍ" — meem sakinah before ba
Source: Matn Al-Jazariyyah by Ibn Al-Jazari (d. 833H)
Test Yourself
What is the Ikhfa Shafawi letter? How long is the ghunnah?
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