Maintaining the due elongations of the Qur’an definitely makes the recitation perfectly touching, toned, and melodic, melting our hearts in owe and reverence of Allah. Every Madd (elongation) in Qur’an was meant for a reason, doing its certain part in preserving that meaningful rhythm and inimitable beauty of this Holy Book.
Madd Iwad/ Iwadh is one of the Madd types that are significant to learn and apply, for reciting the Qur’an precisely and magnificently, exactly as it was revealed. Let’s have a close look at Madd Iwad, getting to know its definition, types, cases, exceptions, and so on.
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Definition of Madd Iwad:
Linguistically, in Arabic, Madd refers to (elongation), and Iwad indicates (compensation). In tajweed, Madd ‘Iwad is one of the natural Madd applied while pausing during reciting the Qur’an. It is called “Iwad” (compensating) as this type of Madd is used to compensate for tanween Al-fat-h (ً) at the end of the word, when stopping at it, by elongating Alif ا for two counts.
Why Learning Madd ‘Iwad?
Learning Madd ‘Iwad is significant, so that you can apply it properly, when pausing at tanween-Alfat-h, at the end of the words, while reciting. Like the other types of Madd, Madd ‘Iwad preserves the right pronunciation of the Qur’anic words, and in turn, their intended meanings.
Moreover, applying Madd ‘Iwad correctly accentuates that splendid rhythm, and charming intonations of the Qur’an, which results in creating such spiritual connection with Allah’s Message, and stimulating the mind to pause and ponder over its meaning.
Types of Madd ‘Iwad:
In the Qur’an, there are three major types of Madd ‘Iwad, that we can detect in the Mus-haf, by whether form it is written, or not:
Written Madd Letter:
This clear case occurs when we can see the elongation-letter of Madd ‘Iwad (Alif) already written in the Qur’anic text in Mus-haf. Then, when we stop at the last word- that has the accusative tanween of fat-h, (ً)we replace the pronunciation of the tanween-/n/ with the elongation-/aa/, two counts for Madd Alif.
Example: وكان الله عليمًا حكيمًا / wa kana Allahu ‘aliman Hakimaa/
Although, عليمًا has an accusative tanween of fat-h, like حكيمًا, yet, because we don’t stop at عليمًا, we pronounce its tanween regularly as /an/, as we keep going recitation, while we pronounce /aa/ of حكيمًا, as we pause at it, so we replace its /an/-tanween, with /aa/-Madd ‘Iwad.
Unwritten Madd Letter:
This case occurs when there is no Alif-elongation already written at the end of the tanween-word we stop at. At that case, the accusative tanween of fat-h is already there at the end of the word, not followed by the written Alif, yet we pronounce it, when pausing at that word, compensating for dropping the accusative tanween of fat-h.
Example: الذي جعلناه للناس سواءً /Al lathe Ja’lnahu lillnassi sawa’aa/
Here, there is no elongation-Alif written after the accusative tanween, yet when stopping at سواءً, we replace pronouncing the accusative tanween of fat-h, with the elongation of Alif Madd ‘Iwad, /aa/.
The Emphasizing Noon:
In Qur’an, there are some written emphasizing noon, as pronounced by the Arabs, and when this noon has an accusative tanween of fat-h, and we pause at them –just to learn, not in the regular recitation- then we compensate for the accusative tanween, by the elongating Alif:
Example: كَلَّا لَئِن لَّمْ يَنتَهِ لَنَسْفَعًا بِالنَّاصِيَةِ /Kalla la’in lam yantahi lanasfa’an bin-nasiyah/
Here, you see that we pronounce the accusative tanween /an/, not /aa/, as we don’t usually stop at this word, when reciting Qur’an.
We just mention the rule, just in case you have to stop at it, like you run out of breath, or stop as asked by the Qur’an-teacher, so you can know the rule when stopping.
Exceptions to Madd ‘Iwad:
As said, Madd ‘Iwad is due when stopping at a word whose last letter has an accusative tanween of fat-h. There are cases that are exceptional:
1- The Word’s Last Letter is Ta’a Marboota :ة
Even when the word ended by ة has accusative tanween of fat-h, we compensate for this fat-h tanween by /ah/- not /aa/ of Alif-Madd Iwad.
Example: مساكنَ طيبةً /Masakina Taibah/.
2- The Nominative Case-Tanween Al-Raf’ (ٌ):
Madd ‘Iwad is not due for the nominative case- Tanween Al-Raf’ (ٌ), but only for tanween Alfat-h.
Example: عجوزٌ عقيمٌ /’Ajjoozun ‘Aqeem/
Here, if we stop at a word with tanween Adh-Dhamm (ٌ)- like in /’Aqeem/-we just drop tanween adh-Dhamm, replacing it by pronouncing the last letter with no vowel (with sukoon).
3- The Genitive Case- Tanween Al-Kassr (ٍ):
Madd ‘Iwad is not due for the genitive case, tanween Al-kassr (ٍ), but only for tanween Al-fat-h.
Example: رواسي شامخاتٍ / Rawassiya shamikhat/
Here, if we stop at a word with tanween al Kassr (ٍ)- like in /Shamikhat/- we just drop tanween Al-Kassr, replacing it by pronouncing the last letter with no vowel (with sukoon).
Read more about: Madd Lazim
How to Learn Madd ‘Iwad?
The Qur’an-reciter should be attentive to all types of madd, including Madd Iwad, to maintain a rightly toned recitation, following the Prophet (PBUH). Here are some tips to learn Madd ‘Iwad:
Learn the Basic Rule of Madd ‘Iwad:
Start with understanding the basic rule of madd ‘iwad, and its due cases. You can refer to the simplified tajweed book, or the online, informative articles, like these of Riwaq Academy.
Be watchful of the Exceptions of the Madd ‘Iwad:
As every basic rule has its exceptions, it is important to be aware of the exceptions of madd ‘iwad, for avoiding applying it in those cases. They can be common mistakes among the beginners.
Practice What You Learn:
Practice what you learn regularly, whenever you recite Qur’an; tajweed is actually meant to be applied, not only knowing about, constant practicing levels up your recitation.
Get Supervised and Corrected by a Specialized Teacher:
In the tajweed-learning journey, correction is definitely needed, as there are lots of common mistakes that happen while applying the rules, at first, especially regarding madd.
Keep Listening to the Learning-Recitation of the Well-Known Sheikhs:
Keep listening to the corrective, learning recitation of the well-versed sheikhs, like Sheikh Al-Hussari; that is so helpful for you, so that you can follow it exactly, for every madd, and every pause, and so on.
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Conclusion:
In a nutshell, “Madd ‘Iwad” is one of the madd types. It is due to apply only in case of stopping at a word with accusative tanween of fat-h- except those ended by ة- and it takes two counts. It is recommended to seek help of the specialized, experienced Qur’an-teachers, like those in Riwaq Academy, to make sure that you rightly learn and apply madd ‘iwad, and the other types, while reciting the Qur’an.
