Basic
Articulation Points
Surah: Al-Isra (85)
The Larynx/Throat Articulation Points — The Six Pharyngeal Letters
وَمَا أُوتِيتُم مِّن الْعِلْمِ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا
— الإسراء الآية 85
Definition:
The throat (halq) is the passage extending between the larynx and the mouth. It has three subdivisions, each producing two of the six pharyngeal letters.
Three Sub-points of the Throat:
Characteristics of Pharyngeal Letters:
Rule:
Sukoon noon or tanween before any of the six pharyngeal letters = Izhhaar Halqi (clear articulation, no ghunna with the following letter).
Examples:
• "Min 'ilmin" — sukoon noon before 'Ain: clear throat izhhaar.
• "An Hakeemun" — sukoon noon before Haa: clear throat izhhaar.
• "Khayrun amma" — tanween before Hamza: clear throat izhhaar.
The throat (halq) is the passage extending between the larynx and the mouth. It has three subdivisions, each producing two of the six pharyngeal letters.
Three Sub-points of the Throat:
- Deepest throat (closest to chest): Hamza (ء) and Haa (هـ).
- Middle throat: 'Ain (ع) and Haa (ح).
- Upper throat (nearest to mouth): Ghain (غ) and Khaa (خ).
Characteristics of Pharyngeal Letters:
- They trigger clear throat display (Izhhaar Halqi) of sukoon noon and tanween.
- Idghaam, Ikhfaa, and Iqlaab are all impermissible before these letters.
- Hamza and Haa are furthest from the mouth (deepest throat).
- Ghain and Khaa are nearest the mouth and are both heavy (Isti'la) letters.
Rule:
Sukoon noon or tanween before any of the six pharyngeal letters = Izhhaar Halqi (clear articulation, no ghunna with the following letter).
Examples:
• "Min 'ilmin" — sukoon noon before 'Ain: clear throat izhhaar.
• "An Hakeemun" — sukoon noon before Haa: clear throat izhhaar.
• "Khayrun amma" — tanween before Hamza: clear throat izhhaar.
Source: Matn Al-Jazariyya by Ibn Al-Jazari; Al-Tamheed fi Ilm Al-Tajweed by Ibn Al-Jazari
Test Yourself
List the six pharyngeal letters from deepest in the throat to the closest to the mouth.
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