Al-Imala — Definition, Types, and Who Performs It
readings
Level: advanced
differences
rdg-010
وَإِذۡ قَالَ مُوسَىٰ لِقَوۡمِهِۦ
— البقرة 54
Definition: Imala: inclining the fatha toward kasra, and the alif toward ya — pronouncing the alif with a lean toward ya without fully becoming it.
Types: (1) Imala kabra (major/full): strong lean toward ya — Al-Kisa'i and Hamza in many words. (2) Imala sughra / taqlil (minor): slight lean between fath and full imala — Warsh and Abu Amr. (3) Fath (open vowel): no imala — Hafs, Ibn Kathir, Ibn Amir predominantly.
Example: "Musa / Isa / Yahya" — in Al-Kisa'i's reading pronounced with clear lean toward "Musi." In Hafs: full open fatha "Musa."
Source: Al-Nashr (2/36); Al-Dani (p.15); Al-Shatibiyya
Question: What is the difference between imala kabra (major) and taqlil (minor imala)?
Answer: Imala kabra: strong clear lean toward ya (Al-Kisa'i, Hamza). Taqlil: slight lean between full open vowel and complete imala (Warsh, Abu Amr).