Huroof Al Muqatta’at In Tajweed – Full Guide

Huroof Al Muqatta’at (Arabic: الحروف المقطعة), also known as the “disjointed letters”, are unique combinations of Arabic letters that occur only at the beginning of certain chapters of the Quran. They are recited as separate letters, and their full true meanings are known only to Allah. While we may not fully grasp their meaning, their presence reinforces the Quran’s miraculous nature, urging us to recite, reflect, and submit to the wisdom of Allah. 

In this article, we will discuss Huroof Al Muqatta’at’s meaning and how many they are in the Quran, as well as how many chapters of the Quran start with them. Then, we will tackle, in some detail, some Tajweed rules which have to do with Huroof Al Muqatta’at. After that, we will try to figure out Huroof Al Muqatta’at’s benefits or the wisdom behind having them in the Quran.

Huroof Al Muqatta’at’s Meaning

Linguistically, the term “Huroof Al Muqatta’at” means “disjointed letters”. They are some individual letters that are spelled out rather than joined in complete words/phrases. For example, “الٓمٓ” (the Quran, 2:1) is recited as “Alif-Lãm-Mĩm”, while “أَلَمْ” in “أَلَمْ تَرَ كَيْفَ فَعَلَ رَبُّكَ بِأَصْحَـٰبِ ٱلْفِيلِ” (the Quran, 105:1), is recited as “Alam”, which has a meaning in Arabic: “Have you not”.

Unlike English, Arabic (especially Classic Arabic) has no acronyms. Thus, Huroof Al Muqatta’at are not acronyms that stand for something. They represent individual letters that are uttered as separate parts of speech. It is like saying “art” (which is a word in English) as “a:rt”, while saying “ART” (which represents 3 separated letters) as “aih-ar-tee”. The former is a word and the latter is “Huroof Al Muqatta’at”.

How Many Are Huroof Al Muqatta’at In The Quran and In How Many Surahs?

Huroof Al Muqatta’at in the Quran are 14 in total. Each of them consists of 1-5 letters. However, there are 29 Chapters (Surahs) which start with Huroof Al Muqatta’at in the Quran. Please see all of them in the following tables. 

Huroof Al Muqatta’at consisting of 1 letter:

Huroof Al Muqatta’at, which consist of 1 letter only, are three: ق, ن and ص. Let’s see where they appear in the Quran.

Huroof Al Muqatta’at consisting of 2 letters:

Huroof Al Muqatta’at, which consist of 2 letters, are four [one of them (حم) is duplicated several times]: حم, يس, طس and طه. Let’s see where they appear in the Quran.

Huroof Al Muqatta’at consisting of 3 letters:

Huroof Al Muqatta’at, which consist of 3 letters, are four: الم, الر, عسق and طسم. One of them: “الم” is duplicated several times. Let’s see where they appear in the Quran.

Huroof Al Muqatta’at consisting of 4 letters:

Huroof Al Muqatta’at, which consist of 4 letters, are two: المص and المر. Let’s see where they appear in the Quran.

Huroof Al Muqatta’at consisting of 5 letters:

Huroof Al Muqatta’at, which consists of 5 letters is only one: كهيعص. Let’s see where it appears in the Quran.

Read Also: Makhraj Huruf

Tajweed Rules For Huroof Al Muqatta’at

While the exact meanings of Huroof Al Muqatta’at are known only to Allah, their proper recitation is essential in Tajweed, ensuring each letter is pronounced with correct Makhārij (articulation points) and Ṣifāt (characteristics). Please see below some Tajweed rules for Huroof Al Muqatta’at. 

1- Madd (Enlogation):

For Madd, Huroof Al Muqatta’at are divided into three categories, each with a certain ruling. Please see the worksheet below.

2- Tafkheem And Tarqeeq:

Tafkheem (تفخيم) and Tarqeeq (ترقيق) are very important to observe when reciting Huroof Al Muqatta’at. For example, in the Huroof Al Muqatta’at “طه”, the first letter has Tafkheem, which means that its sound is fuller or more resonant, while the second letter “هـ” has Tarqeeq, which means that its sound is thin.

3- Qalqala:

Qalqalah is the bouncing back of the sound. This ruling needs to be implemented when reciting the Huroof Al Muqatta’at. For example, “ص” is recited as “صَاد”. The last letter “د” must have Qalqalah.

4- Idgham:

Idgham means to inter a sound into another sound. It must be implemented as well if the Huroof Al Muqatta’at have any of the Idgham letter preceded by Noon (ن) that is Sakinah. For example, in “طسم”, the second letter “س”, which is spelled out as 3 letters “سين” ends with a Noon Sakinah, which is followed by a Meem (م) [Meem is one of the Idgham with Ghunnah letters]. So to recite “طسم” correctly, the Noon sound (ن) of “سين” is dropped and a Ghunnah is made.

Read Also: Sifaat Al Huroof In Tajweed

Huroof Al Muqatta’at Benefits

Muslim scholars differ in their views on Huroof Al Muqatta’at, proposing multiple explanations for their role in the Quran. Below are the four most famous arguments for them. 

1. Divine Secret – Known Only To Allah:

While many theories exist, the dominant Islamic view is that the full meaning of Huroof Al Muqatta’at is a divine secret. This is the strongest argument. Most Muslim scholars view that Huroof Al Muqatta’at are a mysterious aspect of the Quran, and their full meaning is not explicitly explained in the Quran or Hadith and only Allah knows their true meaning and purpose (Ghayb).

Evidence:

No authentic Hadith directly explains their meaning, suggesting their mysterious nature.

2- Huroof Al Muqatta’at Stresses The Oral Tradition Of The Quran:

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was an unlettered (ummi) Arab who could neither read nor write. While an illiterate person may memorize and recite spoken words, they lack the ability to analyze or comprehend the individual letters comprising those words. For example, such a person might say “a cat” fluently but would be unable to identify its constituent letters—C, A and T—if asked.

Similarly, when the Prophet (peace be upon him) recited the disjointed Arabic letters (Huroof Al Muqatta’at) like Alif (أ), Lām (ل), Mīm (م), this demonstrates he could only have known them through oral tradition, meaning these were said to him and he just repeated what he was told. An illiterate individual, even in their native language, has no means to independently recognize, isolate, or articulate such isolated letters without prior instruction.

Thus, the presence of these disjointed letters in the Quran serves as decisive evidence that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was not the author of the Quran. Their very presence lies beyond the capacity of an unlettered mind, affirming the Quran’s heavenly origin.

3- A Literary Challenge:

Huroof Al Muqatta’at is a manifestation of the Quranic challenge for all Arabic-speaking people. It is one aspect of the Linguistic Miracle of the Quran.

Huroof Al Muqatta’at  (e.g., “الم” [Alif-Lām-Mīm]) challenges all Arabic-speaking people to produce something like the Quran. They represent a claim that the Quran is composed of Arabic words/phrases which in turn is composed of letters just like these Huroof Al Muqatta’at. Thus, if the Arab disbelievers claim the Quran was man-made, why couldn’t they replicate even the smallest chapter of it? 

In this regard, Allah says:

“أَمْ يَقُولُونَ تَقَوَّلَهُۥ ۚ بَل لَّا يُؤْمِنُونَ (33) فَلْيَأْتُوا۟ بِحَدِيثٍۢ مِّثْلِهِۦٓ إِن كَانُوا۟ صَـٰدِقِينَ (34)”

[Or do they say, “He made this ˹Quran˺ up!”? In fact, they have no faith. Let them then produce something like it, if what they say is true!!

(The Quran, 52:33-34)

In addition, this is evident by the fact that most, if not all, verses or parts of verses that immediately follow Huroof Al Muqatta’at speak about the Quran itself as a book or its verses. 

Let’s see the following verse which starts with one of the Huroof Al Muqatta’at, as an example:

“الٓمٓر ۚ تِلْكَ ءَايَـٰتُ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ ۗ وَٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ إِلَيْكَ مِن رَّبِّكَ ٱلْحَقُّ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ”

[Alif-Lãm-Mĩm-Ra. These are the verses of the Book. What has been revealed to you ˹O Prophet˺ from your Lord is the truth, but most people do not believe.]

(The Quran, 13:1)

4- An Invitation For Reflection:

By design, Huroof Al Muqatta’at break intellectual complacency, forcing readers to move beyond superficial reading. So they provoke reflection, highlight the Quran’s uniqueness, and humble human understanding. Moreover, they harmonize faith and reason, embodying Islam’s call for thoughtful inquiry within the bounds of divine guidance. 

In this light, Allah challenges humanity in the Quran:

“أَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ أَمْ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبٍ أَقْفَالُهَآ”

[Do they not then reflect on the Quran? Or are there locks upon their hearts?]

(The Quran, 47:24)

This divine invitation to reflect applies universally—and Huroof Al Muqatta’at are no exception. Their very existence is a summons to seek, ponder, and recognize the Qur’an’s infinite depth. 

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Conclusion

Huroof Al Muqatta’at remain one of the profound mysteries of the Quran, serving as a reminder of its divine origin. These disjointed letters challenge human understanding, emphasizing the Quran’s uniqueness and inviting reflection. Whether seen as a linguistic marvel, a divine code, or a test of faith, the Huroof Al Muqatta’at continue to inspire awe and deepen the connection between the believer and the Holy Quran.

Their presence underscores the Quran’s depth and the limits of human knowledge. Like many Quranic concepts (e.g., the Soul, the Hour), these letters represent truths only Allah fully knows. So, they are not merely puzzles but gateways to spiritual and intellectual engagement with the Quran.