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Surah: Al-Qiyama (27)
Sakt (Brief Pause Without Breath) in Hafs — Four Specific Positions
مَن رَاقٍ
— القيامة الآية 27
Definition:
Sakt: a brief pause (without breathing) on a letter, then continuing. This is one of the unique features of Hafs's narration from Asim.
Rule:
In Hafs, Sakt is obligatory in exactly four positions, transmitted from the Prophet (peace be upon him):
1. "Man Raaq" [Al-Qiyama: 27] — pause on the Noon of "Man" before the Raa of "Raaq" to prevent assimilation
2. "Bal Raan" [Al-Mutaffifin: 14] — pause on the Lam of "Bal" before the Raa of "Raan" to prevent assimilation
3. "Iwajan Qayyima" [Al-Kahf: 2] — pause on the Tanwin of "Iwajan" before the Qaf of "Qayyima"
4. "Marqadina" [Ya-Sin: 52] — pause on the Alif in "Marqadina" before "Hadha"
Quranic Example:
"Man Raaq" [Al-Qiyama: 27] — without the pause, Noon would assimilate into Raa producing "Marraaq" — a distortion.
Note:
No breath is taken during Sakt. Key distinction: Waqf (full stop) allows breathing; Sakt does not.
Sakt: a brief pause (without breathing) on a letter, then continuing. This is one of the unique features of Hafs's narration from Asim.
Rule:
In Hafs, Sakt is obligatory in exactly four positions, transmitted from the Prophet (peace be upon him):
1. "Man Raaq" [Al-Qiyama: 27] — pause on the Noon of "Man" before the Raa of "Raaq" to prevent assimilation
2. "Bal Raan" [Al-Mutaffifin: 14] — pause on the Lam of "Bal" before the Raa of "Raan" to prevent assimilation
3. "Iwajan Qayyima" [Al-Kahf: 2] — pause on the Tanwin of "Iwajan" before the Qaf of "Qayyima"
4. "Marqadina" [Ya-Sin: 52] — pause on the Alif in "Marqadina" before "Hadha"
Quranic Example:
"Man Raaq" [Al-Qiyama: 27] — without the pause, Noon would assimilate into Raa producing "Marraaq" — a distortion.
Note:
No breath is taken during Sakt. Key distinction: Waqf (full stop) allows breathing; Sakt does not.
Source: An-Nashr fil-Qiraat by Ibn Al-Jazari; Al-Tuhfa by Al-Jamzuri; Hidayat Al-Qari by Al-Mursifi
Test Yourself
Why is Sakt obligatory in "Man Raaq" and "Bal Raan"? What happens without it?
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