In Tajweed (the rules of proper recitation of the Quran), Idgham refers to the merging of one letter or sound into another. It is one of the rules that govern the way certain letters should be pronounced when they occur next to each other. A main categorization of Idgham is Idgham Kamil and Idgham Naqis. Relevant to this, is another categorization of Idgham: Mutamathilain, Mutajanisain, and Mutaqaribain.
In this article, we will provide a full guide that explains these two main types: Idgham Kamil and Idgham Naqis. We will define each type and give examples of them from the Quran and everyday Arabic speech. Then, we will examine the other three relevant sub-types of Idgham: Mutamathilain, Mutajanisain, and Mutaqaribain.
Table of Contents
What Is Idgham Kamil?
Linguistically, Idgham Kamil means complete Idgham. It refers to the complete merging of a letter into the next letter. In this case, the first letter is completely merged into the second one. To be complete [Kamil], Idgham needs to have two conditions:
1- The first letter must be completely dropped,
2- There is no characteristic feature of the first letter heard after it is merged into the next letter.
Sign Of Idgham Kamil In The Quran
In the Quran, Idgham Kamil’s sign is that the first letter (which is Sakin) has NO Sukon (ْ) above it and has nothing above or under it, and the following letter has a stressed sign [Shada] (ّ) along with the other accompanying Harka [Fatha (َ), Kasra (ِ), or Damma (ُ)].
Examples Of Idgham Kamil
This type of Idgham is vital both for proper Quran recitation and correct pronunciation in everyday speech. Please see below examples of both cases.
An Example From The Quran:
“بَل رَّفَعَهُ ٱللَّهُ إِلَيْهِ”
Here, the first Sakin letter “ل” in “بل” is completely dropped as if the reciter is saying “برفعه”.
An Example From Everyday Arabic Speech:
“قد تذهب الفتاة”
Here, the first Sakin letter “د” in “قد” is completely dropped as if the person is saying “قتذهب”.
What Is Idgham Naqis?
The other type is Idgham Naqis. Linguistically, Idgham Naqis means incomplete Idgham. It refers to the merging of a letter into the next letter. However, the first letter is not completely merged into the second one, and there is still a feature of it being heard. To be incomplete, Idgham needs to have two conditions:
1- The first letter must be dropped,
2- There is a characteristic feature of the first letter still heard after the letter is merged into the following one. This can be Ghunnah, Elevation (raising of the tongue), etc.
Sign Of Idgham Naqis In The Quran
In the Quran, Idgham Naqis’ sign is that the first letter (which is Sakin) has NO Sukon (ْ) above it and has nothing above or under it, and the following letter has NO stressed sign [Shada] (ّ), but only the Harka [Fatha (َ), Kasra (ِ), or Damma (ُ)].
Examples Of Idgham Naqis
This type of Idgham is so important to perfect both for correct Quran recitation and everyday spoken language. Please see below examples of both cases.
An Example From The Quran:
“مَن يَعْمَلْ سُوٓءًۭا يُجْزَ بِهِ”
Here, the first Sakin letter “ن” in “من” is dropped. However, it is not completely merged into the second one, and there is still a feature of it being heard. That is the Ghunnah which is kept for two Harakat.
An Example From Everyday Arabic Speech:
“من يشرب اللبن يقوى جسمه”
Here again, the Noon sound (ن) is dropped, but the Ghunnah is kept for two Harakat.
Other Sub-Types Of Idgham
Both types of Idgham (Kamil and Naqis) have 3 sub-types that have to do with two important factors:
1- Place of articulation
2- Characteristic(s) of the letter
These sub-types are: Mutamathilain, Mutajanisain, and Mutaqaribain. Please see below the slight, yet very important differences and similarities between them.
1. Idgham Mutamathilain
This kind of Idgham occurs when the first Sakin letter and the second Mutahrik letter are the same. That’s why it is called Mutamathilain (two identical letters). The reason is that the letter has the same place of articulation and characteristics.
Examples of Idgham Mutamathilain:
There are several examples from the Quran of this type of Idgham. Please see below two examples:
“ٱذْهَب بِّكِتَـٰبِى“
“أَيْنَمَا تَكُونُوا۟ يُدْرِككُّمُ ٱلْمَوْتُ”
Here, Idgham has to be implemented by dropping the Baa (ب) sound and the Kaa (ك) sound, respectively.
Exception:
Idgham is not implemented when the first letter is one of Madd (Vowel Lengthening) letters: Waw (و), Yaa (ي), and Alif (ا). The reason is that while the letter looks the same as the following letter, it has a different place of articulation.
Example from the Quran:
“ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟“
Here, the place of articulation for the first Waw sound in “آمنوا” is from the oral cavity (the throat), while the following Waw sound in the “وعملوا” comes from the lips. That’s why Idgham should not be implemented here.
2. Idgham Mutajanisain
This kind of Idgham occurs when the first Sakin letter and the second Mutahrik letter have the same place of articulation, but different features. That’s why it is called Mutajanisain (two similar letters).
Examples Of Idgham Mutajanisain
There are several examples from the Quran of this type of Idgham. Please see below two examples:
” يَـٰبُنَىَّ ٱرْكَب مَّعَنَا“
“هَمَّت طَّآئِفَتَانِ“
In these parts of the verses, Idgham should be implemented, and it is Idgham Mutajanisain Kamil (a complete Idgham of two similar letters). So the “ب” sound in “اركب” and the “ت” sound in “همت” should be dropped, respectively.
When should Idgham Mutajanisain Naqis be Implemented?
Idgham Mutajanisain Naqis should be implemented when a feature of the first letter (to be dropped) is still there.
For example:
“لَئِنۢ بَسَطتَ إِلَىَّ يَدَكَ”
In the word “بَسَطتَ”, the ط letter and the ت letter have the same place of articulation, but different features. One of the features of the first Sakin letter (ط) is Elevation (الاستعلاء). This means that the tongue must be raised so that the ط sound is pronounced correctly. the ط sound is dropped, while its Elevation feature is kept. So, it is called Idgham Mutajanisain Naqis (incomplete Idgham of two similar letters).
3. Idgham Mutaqaribain
This kind of Idgham occurs when the first Sakin letter and the second Mutahrik letter have a close place of articulation and some different features. That’s why it is called Mutaqaribain (two close letters).
Examples of Idgham Mutaqaribain
“مِن لَّدُنَّا“
“بَلْ رَانَ“
Here, Idgham has to be completely implemented by dropping the Noon (ن) sound and the Laa (ل) sound, respectively.
Read more about: Idgham With Ghunnah And Idgham without Ghunnah
The Main Differences Between The Idgham Kamil And Idgham Naqis
Now, let’s make the main differences between Idgham Kamil and Idgham Naqis more visualized by pointing them out in a table form.
| Difference | Idgham Kamil | Idgham Naqis |
| Definition | It refers to the complete merging of a letter into the next letter, with no feature of the first letter still heard. | It refers to the merging of a letter into the next letter. However, there is still a feature of the first letter heard. |
| Conditions | 1- The first letter must be completely dropped,2- There is no characteristic feature of the first letter heard after it is merged into the following letter. | 1- The first letter must be dropped,2- There is a characteristic feature of the first letter still heard after it is merged into the following letter. This can be Ghunnah, Elevation (raising of the tongue). etc. |
| Sign In The Quran | The first Sakin letter has nothing above or under it, and the following letter has a stressed sign [Shada] (ّ) along with the other accompanying Harka [Fatha (َ), Kasra (ِ), or Damma (ُ)]. | The first Sakin letter has nothing above or under it, and the following letter has NO stressed sign [Shada] (ّ), but only the Harka [Fatha (َ), Kasra (ِ), or Damma (ُ)] |
| Examples | “مِّن رَّبِّهِ”(Quran, 10:20)Here, the Noon (ن) sound in (من) is dropped along with the Ghunnah. So there is no trace of ن sound heard at all.There is a Shada (ّ) above the second Mutahrik letter along with the accompanying Harka. | “مَن يَعْمَلْ سُوٓءًۭا يُجْزَ بِهِ”(Quran, 4:123)Here, the Noon (ن) sound in (من) is dropped and a Ghunnah is kept for two Harakat. |
The Main Differences Between The Three Sub-Types Of Idgham
Now, let’s see the main differences between Idgham Mutamatsilain, Idgham Mutajanisain, And Idgham Mutaqaribain in the following table.
| Difference | Idgham Mutamathilain | Idgham Mutajanisain | Idgham Mutaqaribain |
| Definition | It occurs when the first Sakin letter and the second Mutahrik letter are the same (of course with the same features and place of articulation). | It occurs when the first Sakin letter and the second Mutahrik letter have the same place of articulation, but different features. | It occurs when the first Sakin letter and the second Mutahrik letter have a close place of articulation and some different features. |
Examples | “ٱضْرِب بِّعَصَاكَ ٱلْبَحْرَ”(Quran, 26:63) | “هَمَّت طَّآئِفَتَانِ“(Quran, 3:122) | “بَلْ رَانَ“(Quran, 83:14) |
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Conclusion
To sum up, Idgham is a very important rule for the correct recitation of the Quran. There are several main types and sub-types of Idgham based on the relationship between the letters involved. Each type has distinct characteristics that contribute to the clarity and beauty of Quranic recitation. All these types need to be carefully studied for a smoother and more fluid recitation of the Quran.
