Three terms for transitioning between surahs:
- Qat' (cutting): Ending recitation completely, breathing, then starting a new surah — always permissible.
- Waqf (stopping): Halting sound while able to continue — choice of basmala built on this.
- Wasl (connecting): Continuing without vocal break — with differences on presence or absence of basmala.
Four modes of transition (completing rdg-016):
- Stop at end + basmala + start: Best — gives basmala independence as a separator.
- Connect end to basmala + stop + start: Permissible.
- Connect all: End + basmala + start of next without stopping — disputed; may imply basmala belongs to the previous surah.
- Stop + start without basmala: Permissible but forgoes the merit of the basmala.
The only forbidden mode: Connecting the end of one surah to the start of the next without basmala or stop — implies direct continuity between the two surahs.
Question: What is the forbidden mode when transitioning between two surahs?
Answer: Connecting the end of one surah directly to the start of the next without basmala or stop — because it implies complete continuity as if they were one surah.