The Ten Tongue Makhaarij — Complete Examples
tajweed
Level: advanced
articulation
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The Ten Tongue Makhaarij (10 articulation points, 18 letters):
- Back of tongue + roof: ق — Examples: الْقُرْآنُ، الْقَدْرِ
- Back of tongue (lower): ك — الْكِتَابُ، أَكْبَرُ
- Middle tongue: ج ش ي — الْجَنَّةُ، الشَّمْسُ، يَوْمَ
- Tongue edge + molars: ض — الضَّالِّينَ (uniquely Arabic)
- Edge to tip + upper gums: ل — اللهُ، الْحَمْدُ
- Tongue tip below Lam: ن — النَّاسُ، أَنْتَ
- Tongue tip deflecting back: ر — الرَّحْمَنُ، رَبِّ
- Tip + base of upper incisors: ت د ط — التَّوَّابُ، الدِّينُ، الطَّامَّةُ
- Tip + tip of upper incisors: ص س ز — الصَّلَاةُ، السَّمَاءُ، الزَّكَاةُ
- Tip + edges of upper incisors: ث ذ ظ — الثَّاقِبُ، الذِّكْرُ، الظَّالِمِينَ
Source: Matn Al-Jazariyyah verses 9-15 | At-Tamheed | Hidayat Al-Qari
Question: How many tongue makhaarij and letters? Which letter is unique to Arabic? Where is its makhraj?
Answer: 10 makhaarij producing 18 letters. The unique Arabic letter is Dad (ض). Its makhraj: one edge of the tongue against the upper molars. Arabic is called "the language of Dad"