Ikhfa literally means to hide/conceal.
Technically: pronouncing noon in a state between Izhar and Idgham, with ghunnah remaining and no shaddah on the following letter.
Fifteen letters, memorized from the first letters of this verse:
"ṣif dhā thanā kam jāda shakhṣun qad samā — dum ṭayyiban zid fī tuqan ḍa' ẓālimā"
Letters: ص ذ ث ك ج ش ق س د ط ز ف ت ض ظ
Performance:
- Lift tongue without full contact of the Ikhfa letters
- Maintain ghunnah for 2 counts
- Each of the 15 letters has a different degree of hiding based on proximity to noon's makhraj
Use the "Tajweed Colorizer" tool to see Ikhfa highlighted in any text
Question: How many Ikhfa letters are there and how are they memorized?
Answer: 15 letters, memorized from: "Ṣif dhā thanā kam jāda shakhṣun qad samā..."