Before we dive into the practice and comprehension of the Meem Sakinah rules, qualities, and letters to remember, it is also recommended to revise the rules of Noon Sakinah and Tanween, since they are also crucial.
Every Muslim is expected to recite the Quran correctly to the best of his ability to appreciate the charisma of the scriptures and maximum clarity. Moving on to the recital, we will study all the Meem Sakinah rules to the best of our abilities.
Table of Contents
What Is Saakin in Tajweed?
In Tajweed, Saakin refers to a letter that is silent or without a vowel. This means the letter does not carry a short vowel (Fatha, Damma, or Kasra) and is pronounced as a “suspended” sound. The concept of Saakin is essential in understanding how certain letters are pronounced and how they interact with other letters in the rules of Tajweed.
Meem Saakin Definition
When the Meem “م” carries a Sukoon while stopping on it or proceeding with the Ayah. The mouth, specifically the lips, creates the sound Meem when closed on top of each other. Hence, the Meen Sakinah rules are known as “Shafawiyah” meaning “from the lips,” which is narrated as “شفتين” in Arabic.
Before we clarify the 3 Meem Sakinah rules, check this inspiring story to know how to learn Tajweed of Quran and apply its rules when reciting the Holy Quran.
Meem Saakin Examples
The letter Meem (م) becomes Meem Saakinah when it is without a vowel, as in the word مِن (min). In this case, the Meem is silent and the rules of Tajweed, such as Ikhfa, Izhaar, and Idgham, come into play depending on the letters following it.
What Are the Rules of Meem Sakinah?
The rules of silent Meem are three in number, and they are easy to remember because they correspond to the actual number of alphabets in the letter “م” when written in an open format “ميم”. Ahkam Al Meem As Sakinah are as follows:
1. Meem Sakinah with Idgham
The first of the Meem Sakinah rules is the Idgham Shafawi, which means the labial merging from one letter into the other. Like all the rules of reading Quran with Tajweed, the rule prevails when different types of words occur after the mentioned letter Meem.
When a non-voweled meem is preceded by a voweled Meem, the Meem Sakinah is merged into the voweled meem, resulting in one stressed meem (Meem with Shaddah)”. Idghaam Shafawi letters include only the letter Meem, which can be identified in the examples below.
Idgham Examples in Quran
This Idgham is also known as Idgham Mithlain Sagheer because the two letters, one silent and the other with Harakah, have the same Makhraj and Sifah, which means Mithlain -“similar to each other”, and the word Sagheer emphasizes their states, as the first letter is not voweled and the latter is.
Food for thought: Notice how the vowelless meem succumbs to the Meem with the Harakah in the other letter. Although they are both the same, they have different Sifah (ِِِِAttribute) on their own. But, when they become one and align, making contact with each other and holding it tight, a sound known as “Gunnah” (nasal sound) is made, while also providing a base for the first meem to attach to other, and providing a voice.
2. Meem Sakinah with Ikhfa Shafawi
The second rule of Meem Sakinah rules is Ikhfa which refers to concealing the labial movement of the Meem pronouncement, which occurs when the Meem Sakinah is preceded by “ب”, resulting in the closure of the lips during the recitation of the Meem Sakinah, prolonging it with a Gunnah – and opening it as a transitional note for pronouncing ‘ba’.
Ikhfa Examples in Quran
Following is one of the Ikhfa Shafawi examples from Quran. When reciting from Al Mushaf Al Misri, the letters are marked with an eloquent green color, indicating the existence of Ikhfa Shafawi and allowing the Gunnah to be executed on two counts.
Consider the following while reciting for Ikhfa Shafawi: Each alphabet in Arabic has an origin for pronouncement, the source of articulation, as a result of which all alphabets are divided into different parts based on their Makharij (points of articulation).
The alphabet ba’ is located at the edge of the lips, making it a companion to other alphabets such as waw and fa’ – the points of articulation are the same, making the Sifah simple to mix with. Thus, when making signified Gunnah in Ikhfa Shafawi, one should be careful not to combine the sounds of Fa and Waw into Meem, as these are Izhaar Shafawi alphabets that need clarification when reading.
3. Meem Sakinah with Izhaar Shafawi
Izhaar Shafawi means to clearly enunciate the word without mingling the voice with any other voweled or silent letters. This interpretation helps to understand the concept, as an alphabet can be recited with emphasis on its own (Idgham), blended with other sounds (Ikhfa), or clearly articulated on its own, as in Izhaar.
Izhar Examples in Quran
Paying attention to the letters listed in the previous two rules, it would be a simple grasp to understand how the Izhaar operates on all the other letters other than Meem and Ba. No Ghunnah or nasal sound to be made, and all to be uttered with clarity.
How to Learn Meem Saakin?
Learning the correct pronunciation of Meem Sakinah is essential for proper Tajweed and Quranic recitation. Here are some helpful tips to guide you in mastering Meem Sakinah:
1. Understand the Rules of Meem Sakinah
To master Meem Sakinah, it’s crucial to understand the related Tajweed rules. Understanding how these rules apply based on the following letter will guide you to accurate pronunciation. Riwaq Al Quran can also help provide detailed resources and lessons on these rules for better clarity in your recitation.
2. Practice Pronunciation Regularly
Consistent practice is key to mastering Meem Sakinah. Recite verses containing Meem Sakinah daily, paying close attention to whether the Meem should be pronounced clearly or with a nasal sound. With Riwaq Al Quran, you can access practice sessions and structured learning to help improve your Tajweed skills.
3. Listen to Qualified Reciters
Listening to expert reciters is essential for understanding how Meem Sakinah should be pronounced. Pay attention to their use of clarity or a nasal sound in the recitation.
4. Record and Compare Your Recitations
Recording your recitations allows you to assess your pronunciation and identify areas for improvement. Compare your recordings with those from skilled reciters to check your accuracy and achieve improvement.
5. Seek Feedback from a Teacher or Study Group
Getting feedback from a teacher or joining a study group is invaluable. A teacher can correct your mistakes, while a study group provides motivation and shared learning. Riwaq Al Quran offers personalized tutoring and one-on-one classes that can help you receive constructive feedback to enhance your Meem Sakinah pronunciation.
Rules of Noon Sakinah and Tanween
The rules of Noon Sakinah and Tanween in Tajweed focus on how to pronounce the noon sound when it is followed by specific letters. There are four main rules:
- Izhar (Clear Pronunciation)
- Idgham (Merging)
- Iqlab (Conversion)
- Ikhfa (Concealment)
Rules of Meem and Noon Mushaddadah
The rules of Meem and Noon Mushaddadah require pronouncing them with ghunnah (nasal sound) for two counts when they appear with a shaddah, maintaining clarity and rhythm in recitation. For example:
- أَمَّا (Amma)
- إِنَّ (Inna)
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Conclusion
Now that we have clarified the Meem Sakinah rules as well as different examples of Ikhfa, Idgham, and Izhar, here is a short rundown of the article’s main takeaways:
To sum up, the benefits of learning Tajweed and applying it are numerous and we should all make it a top priority to become amongst the best of the Muslim Ummah. There are 3 different Meem Sakinah rules to apply:
- Idgham Shafawi: with Ghunnah (Meem Sakinah + Another Meem)
- Iqlab Shafawi: with Ghunnah (Meem Sakinah + letter Ba)
- Izhar Shafawi: Without Ghunnah (Meem Sakinah + Any other letter)
