Tafkheem Specific to Alif — When Is Alif Made Heavy?

Key principle:
Alif is a dependent letter — it has no inherent tafkheem or tarqeeq of its own. Its heaviness or lightness follows what precedes it.

When is alif made heavy?
Alif is made heavy when preceded by a heavy letter — one of the seven letters of elevation (istila):
خ ص ض غ طق ظ (mnemonic: "khuss daghtin qidh")

Examples:
— "Qala" — alif after heavy qaf is made heavy
— "Salih" — alif after heavy sad is made heavy
— "Talut" — alif after heavy ta is made heavy

When is alif made light?
When preceded by a letter of descent (istifal) — all letters other than istila:
— "Kala" — alif after light kaf is light
— "Malik" — alif after light meem is light

General rule:
Al-Mursifi states: "Alif has no attribute except extension and air — its tafkheem and tarqeeq follow what precedes it."