Al-Sakt for Hafs — The Four Positions and Their Evidence

Definition of Sakt:
Sakt: a momentary pause of the voice without breathing — shorter than waqf and not considered a full stop.

The four positions of sakt for Hafs:

1. "Iwajan" — Al-Kahf: 1-2
   "...and He has not made therein any deviance — Iwajan [sakt] — Straight..."
   Sakt separates "Iwajan" from "Qayyiman" so it is not understood that the straight is deviant.
2. "Marqadina" — Ya-Sin: 52
   "They said: Woe to us! Who has raised us from our sleeping place? [sakt] This is what the Most Merciful promised..."
   Sakt separates the speech of the resurrected from the angels or believers responding.
3. "Man [sakt] Raqin" — Al-Qiyama: 27
   "And it was said: Who [sakt] is a healer?"
   Sakt prevents idgham that would produce "Marraaq" — changing the meaning.
4. "Bal [sakt] Rana" — Al-Mutaffifin: 14
   "No indeed! Bal [sakt] rana over their hearts..."
   Sakt prevents idgham producing "Barraan" — preserving meaning: "bal" for rebuttal then "rana."

Note:
These four positions are established in the narration of Hafs from Asim via the Shatibiyya path — there is no sakt other than these in this narration.