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Raa Rules
Ra — Permissible Cases and Subtle Exceptions
Permissible Cases for Ra:
(1) "فِرْقٍ" (Shu'ara 63): Both modes permitted — preferred: light.
(2) "الْقِطْرِ" (Saba' 12, when pausing): Both modes — preferred: light.
(3) "مِصْرَ" (when pausing): Both modes — preferred: heavy.
(4) "يَسْرِ", "نُذُرِ" etc. when pausing: Both modes — preferred: light.
Important Exceptions:
(5) After temporary kasrah (wasl-hamza, etc.): Ra remains heavy.
Examples: ارْجِعِي، أَمِ ارْتَابُوا، إِنِ ارْتَبْتُمْ (heavy)
(6) Sakinah Ra after original kasrah, followed by isti'la letter in same word: Heavy.
Examples: مِرْصَاداً، قِرْطَاسٍ، فِرْقَةٌ، إِرْصَاداً
Rule: Ra heaviness/lightness depends on:
(1) "فِرْقٍ" (Shu'ara 63): Both modes permitted — preferred: light.
(2) "الْقِطْرِ" (Saba' 12, when pausing): Both modes — preferred: light.
(3) "مِصْرَ" (when pausing): Both modes — preferred: heavy.
(4) "يَسْرِ", "نُذُرِ" etc. when pausing: Both modes — preferred: light.
Important Exceptions:
(5) After temporary kasrah (wasl-hamza, etc.): Ra remains heavy.
Examples: ارْجِعِي، أَمِ ارْتَابُوا، إِنِ ارْتَبْتُمْ (heavy)
(6) Sakinah Ra after original kasrah, followed by isti'la letter in same word: Heavy.
Examples: مِرْصَاداً، قِرْطَاسٍ، فِرْقَةٌ، إِرْصَاداً
Rule: Ra heaviness/lightness depends on:
- Ra's own vowel (priority)
- What comes before/after
- Original vs. temporary vowel of preceding
Source: An-Nashr (2/96-103) | Matn Al-Jazariyyah verses 79-83 | Ghayat Al-Mureed
Test Yourself
In "مِرْصَاداً" (Naba 21) and "فِرْقٍ" (Shu'ara 63): what is the Ra ruling and why?
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