Basic
Basic
Surah: Al-Baqarah (20)
Ghunna of Shadda Meem and Noon — Its Degree and Duration
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيۡءٍ قَدِيرٌ
— البقرة الآية 20
Definition of Ghunna:
Ghunna: a nasal sound coming from the nasal cavity — not the mouth — that accompanies noon and meem in specific conditions.
Ghunna in Shaddaed Meem and Noon:
The shaddaed meem and shaddaed noon represent the highest degree of ghunna — their ghunna is "complete," lasting a full two counts.
Degrees of Ghunna (highest first):
How to Produce Ghunna in Shaddaed Letters:
While pressing the shaddaed letter (noon or meem), hold the nasal sound — do not rush. Maintain pressure for two counts then release with the vowel. The mistake: rushing so no ghunna appears, making the noon/meem sound as if not shaddaed.
Quranic Examples:
"Inna" — shaddaed noon: ghunna while pressing both noons.
"Thumma" — shaddaed meem: ghunna while pressing both meems.
"Mimman" — shaddaed meem: "mim" + "man" with ghunna.
Ghunna: a nasal sound coming from the nasal cavity — not the mouth — that accompanies noon and meem in specific conditions.
Ghunna in Shaddaed Meem and Noon:
The shaddaed meem and shaddaed noon represent the highest degree of ghunna — their ghunna is "complete," lasting a full two counts.
Degrees of Ghunna (highest first):
- Shaddaed meem or noon — strongest ghunna.
- Ghunna in Ikhfaa (sukoon noon or tanween before ikhfaa letters).
- Ghunna in incomplete Idghaam (into waaw and yaa).
- Iqlaab — ghunna while converting noon to meem.
- Labial Ikhfaa — weakest ghunna.
How to Produce Ghunna in Shaddaed Letters:
While pressing the shaddaed letter (noon or meem), hold the nasal sound — do not rush. Maintain pressure for two counts then release with the vowel. The mistake: rushing so no ghunna appears, making the noon/meem sound as if not shaddaed.
Quranic Examples:
"Inna" — shaddaed noon: ghunna while pressing both noons.
"Thumma" — shaddaed meem: ghunna while pressing both meems.
"Mimman" — shaddaed meem: "mim" + "man" with ghunna.
Source: Matn Al-Jazariyya by Ibn Al-Jazari; Hidayat Al-Qari by Al-Mursifi (1/178); Al-Tamheed by Ibn Al-Jazari
Test Yourself
What rank do the shaddaed meem and noon hold among the five degrees of ghunna? What is their duration?
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