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Waqf & Ibtida
Surah: Al-Qiyama (27)
Al-Sakt for Hafs — The Four Positions and Their Evidence
وَقِيلَ مَنۡ رَاقٍ
— القيامة الآية 27
Definition of Sakt:
Sakt: a momentary pause of the voice without breathing — shorter than waqf and not considered a full stop.
The four positions of sakt for Hafs:
These four positions are established in the narration of Hafs from Asim via the Shatibiyya path — there is no sakt other than these in this narration.
Sakt: a momentary pause of the voice without breathing — shorter than waqf and not considered a full stop.
The four positions of sakt for Hafs:
- "Iwajan" — Al-Kahf: 1-2
"...and He has not made therein any deviance — Iwajan [sakt] — Straight..."
Sakt separates "Iwajan" from "Qayyiman" so it is not understood that the straight is deviant. - "Marqadina" — Ya-Sin: 52
"They said: Woe to us! Who has raised us from our sleeping place? [sakt] This is what the Most Merciful promised..."
Sakt separates the speech of the resurrected from the angels or believers responding. - "Man [sakt] Raqin" — Al-Qiyama: 27
"And it was said: Who [sakt] is a healer?"
Sakt prevents idgham that would produce "Marraaq" — changing the meaning. - "Bal [sakt] Rana" — Al-Mutaffifin: 14
"No indeed! Bal [sakt] rana over their hearts..."
Sakt prevents idgham producing "Barraan" — preserving meaning: "bal" for rebuttal then "rana."
These four positions are established in the narration of Hafs from Asim via the Shatibiyya path — there is no sakt other than these in this narration.
Source: Al-Nashr by Ibn Al-Jazari (1/240); Hidayat Al-Qari (1/240); Al-Tayseer by Al-Dani
Test Yourself
What are the four sakt positions for Hafs? Explain the reason for one of them.
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