Intermediate
Meem Saakinah Rules
Idgham Shafawi & Izhar Shafawi
Idgham Shafawi (Small Muthaleen):
Occurs when a sukoon Meem meets a moving Meem — the first merges into the second with ghunnah for 2 counts.
Example: "لَكُم مَّا سَأَلْتُم" — first meem merges into second
Izhar Shafawi:
Occurs before all other letters (22 letters) except Ba and Meem.
Example: "لَهُم فِيهَا" — meem sakinah before Fa → Izhar Shafawi
Special note: Extra care is needed for Izhar before Waw (و) and Fa (ف), as their makhraj is close to Meem's — making clear pronunciation harder.
Use the "Meem Rules" tool to practice distinguishing the three rulings
Occurs when a sukoon Meem meets a moving Meem — the first merges into the second with ghunnah for 2 counts.
Example: "لَكُم مَّا سَأَلْتُم" — first meem merges into second
Izhar Shafawi:
Occurs before all other letters (22 letters) except Ba and Meem.
Example: "لَهُم فِيهَا" — meem sakinah before Fa → Izhar Shafawi
Special note: Extra care is needed for Izhar before Waw (و) and Fa (ف), as their makhraj is close to Meem's — making clear pronunciation harder.
Use the "Meem Rules" tool to practice distinguishing the three rulings
Source: Matn Al-Jazariyyah by Ibn Al-Jazari (d. 833H)
Test Yourself
Why does Meem need special attention before Waw and Fa?
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