Intermediate
Tafkheem & Tarqeeq
Surah: Al-Alaq (2)
Heaviness and Lightness in the Elevated (Isti'la) Letters
خَلَقَ الْإِنسَانَ مِنْ عَلَقٍ
— العلق الآية 2
Definition:
The seven elevated (Isti'la) letters (خ ص ض غ ط ق ظ) are always pronounced with heaviness (tafkheem) in every condition — whether voweled or with sukoon — regardless of which vowel they carry. This distinguishes them from the Raa, Laam, and the Majestic Name (Allah), which have conditional tafkheem/tarqeeq rules.
Rule of Permanent Heaviness:
Isti'la letters are heavy in all conditions:
Degrees of Heaviness in Isti'la Letters:
Important Note:
The Raa, Laam, and the Name of Allah are not covered here — they have separate cards. This card addresses only the seven Isti'la letters.
Examples:
• "Khalaqa al-insaan" (Al-'Alaq: 2) — Khaa and Qaaf with fatha: highest degree of heaviness.
• "Wal-Toor" (Al-Toor: 1) — Taa with dhamma: strong heaviness.
• "Khitaamuhu miskun" (Al-Mutaffifeen: 26) — Khaa with kasra: lowest degree of heaviness.
The seven elevated (Isti'la) letters (خ ص ض غ ط ق ظ) are always pronounced with heaviness (tafkheem) in every condition — whether voweled or with sukoon — regardless of which vowel they carry. This distinguishes them from the Raa, Laam, and the Majestic Name (Allah), which have conditional tafkheem/tarqeeq rules.
Rule of Permanent Heaviness:
Isti'la letters are heavy in all conditions:
- With dhamma: "Qul" — heavily pronounced Qaaf.
- With fatha: "Khalaqa" — heavily pronounced Khaa and Qaaf.
- With kasra: "Ghishaawatun" — Ghain with kasra; heaviness is slightly reduced but still present.
- With sukoon: "Akhtalafa" — sukoon Khaa remains heavy.
Degrees of Heaviness in Isti'la Letters:
- Highest: voweled with fatha or sukoon after fatha (Khalaqa, Taaloot).
- Middle: voweled with dhamma (Qul, Khudh).
- Lowest: voweled with kasra (Ghishaawa, Khitaamuhu).
Important Note:
The Raa, Laam, and the Name of Allah are not covered here — they have separate cards. This card addresses only the seven Isti'la letters.
Examples:
• "Khalaqa al-insaan" (Al-'Alaq: 2) — Khaa and Qaaf with fatha: highest degree of heaviness.
• "Wal-Toor" (Al-Toor: 1) — Taa with dhamma: strong heaviness.
• "Khitaamuhu miskun" (Al-Mutaffifeen: 26) — Khaa with kasra: lowest degree of heaviness.
Source: Matn Al-Jazariyya by Ibn Al-Jazari; Al-Tamheed by Ibn Al-Jazari; Hidayat Al-Qari by Al-Mursifi
Test Yourself
What are the degrees of heaviness for Isti'la letters from highest to lowest? Give an example for each.
Show Answer