Isti'la & Istifal — Permanent Tafkhim
tajweed
Level: intermediate
characteristics
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Isti'la: Tongue rises toward upper palate — 7 letters: خ ص ض غ ط ق ظ (memorized as "Khasas Daght Qath")
These are always heavy (Tafkhim) regardless of vowels.
Istifal: Tongue stays low — remaining 21 letters.
Alif follows: heavy if preceded by heavy letter, light if preceded by light letter.
Source: Matn Al-Jazariyyah by Ibn Al-Jazari
Question: What are the 7 Isti'la letters and the mnemonic?
Answer: خ ص ض غ ط ق ظ — memorized as "Khusssa Dhaghtin Qizh"