Basic
Basic
Surah: Al-Fatiha (7)
Pronouncing the Shaddah — How to Articulate Gemination Clearly
صِرَٰطَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنۡعَمۡتَ عَلَيۡهِمۡ غَيۡرِ ٱلۡمَغۡضُوبِ عَلَيۡهِمۡ وَلَا ٱلضَّآلِّينَ
— الفاتحة الآية 7
Definition of Shaddah:
The shaddah sign indicates doubling of a letter: merging two identical letters, the first with sukoon and the second voweled, in a single articulation. The word "Al-Hajj" contains two jims: a sukoon jim merged into a voweled jim.
Correct Pronunciation Method:
Common Mistake:
Pronouncing a single letter without pressure or blocking — the shaddah value is lost and so is the meaning. Example: "Al-Dhaalleem" contains a shadda on the laam — if the first laam is not held, the shaddah is lost.
Ghunna and Shaddah:
Shadda meem and noon require an added ghunna — pressure alone is insufficient; ghunna must accompany it (see tj-079).
Quranic Example:
"Wa la al-dhaalleen" (Al-Fatiha: 7) — the laam is shaddaed: hold the first laam then release the second voweled laam.
The shaddah sign indicates doubling of a letter: merging two identical letters, the first with sukoon and the second voweled, in a single articulation. The word "Al-Hajj" contains two jims: a sukoon jim merged into a voweled jim.
Correct Pronunciation Method:
- Block: Fully close the articulation point for the first (sukoon) letter — do not produce an audible sound, just hold it.
- Pressure: Keep the articulation point closed for a perceptible moment (longer than normal sukoon).
- Release: Release into the second (voweled) letter with its full vowel.
Common Mistake:
Pronouncing a single letter without pressure or blocking — the shaddah value is lost and so is the meaning. Example: "Al-Dhaalleem" contains a shadda on the laam — if the first laam is not held, the shaddah is lost.
Ghunna and Shaddah:
Shadda meem and noon require an added ghunna — pressure alone is insufficient; ghunna must accompany it (see tj-079).
Quranic Example:
"Wa la al-dhaalleen" (Al-Fatiha: 7) — the laam is shaddaed: hold the first laam then release the second voweled laam.
Source: Matn Al-Jazariyya by Ibn Al-Jazari; Hidayat Al-Qari by Al-Mursifi (1/211); Al-Tamheed by Ibn Al-Jazari
Test Yourself
What are the three steps for correctly pronouncing a shaddaed letter?
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