In pronunciation, the Arabic letters are divided into light-pronounced ones (by Tarqeeq), others that are heavy-pronounced (by Tafkheem), and some letters that can be pronounced both ways, lightly and heavily, according to the letter position in the word, and its vowels.
Of course, mastering the technique of the letter’s Tafkheem and Tarqeeq manifests the precise pronunciation of Arabic, and the meticulous recitation of the Qur’an. Letter Raa’ in Arabic, (ر) is one of those letters that can be pronounced lightly and heavily, according to its case. Let’s find out more about Tafkheem and Tarqeeq of the letter Raa’.
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Rules of Raa
In the Arabic alphabet, Letter Raa’ is one of the non-dotted letters. Also, it is one of Shamsiya-letters that are prominently pronounced (when adding the ال the definite-article in Arabic).
Raa’s Shape:
Its shape is written differently, according to its position of the word:
| TERMINAL: ـر | MIDDLE: ـر | INITIAL ر | ISOLATED ر |
|---|
Raa’s Pronunciation:
Pronouncing the letter Raa’ (ر) is somehow similar to that way of pronouncing /r/ in English, yet more resonated in Arabic. To pronounce Raa’ correctly, have a look at this illustrating picture of the accurate way and articulation-exist of Raa’, and practice it out loud:
Tafkheem of Raa’:
As said, Raa’ in Arabic is a letter that can be pronounced both ways, heavily (by Tafkheem) and lightly (by Tarqeeq). Here are the Tafkheem-cases of Raa’, whether in fat-h, dhamm, or sukoon:
1. Raa Letter With Fathah Cases:
The Fat-h vowel makes the pronunciation of Raa’ heavy, resulting in Tafkheem, whether Raa’ is voweled with fat-ha, or fat-ha-shadda:
Example: رَبك /Rabaka/- رَسوله /Rasouluh/
صغيرًا /Sagheirrun/- للرًحمن /Lirrahman/
2. Raa Letter With Dhamma Cases:
It is Tafkheem to apply, when Raa’ is voweled with dhamma, and dhamma-shadda:
Example: كفرُوا /Kafaroo/- يشعرُون /yash’oroon/
غفورٌ /ghafoofrroon/- الرٌوم /Arroom/.
3. Raa Letter With Sukoon Cases:
-When Raa’ is sakina (with sukoon), we look at the preceded letter, and even if the preceded letter is sakin, too, we look at the letter even before, till we reach a vowel to decide.
In the following cases, we apply Tafkheem on Raa’:
Raa’ Sakina (whether due to its vowel, or due to pause) and Preceded by a Fat-ha:
Like: مَرْيَم /Marriam/- النًار /Annarr/
Raa’ Sakina (whether due to its vowel, or due to pause) and Preceded by dhamma:
Like: القُرْءان /Al qurr’aan/- الغفُور /Al-Ghafoorr/
Raa’ Sakina Preceded by a Kasra, yet Followed by an Isti’laa Letter, in the Same Word:
Like: قِرْطَاس /Qirrttass/ – بالمِرْصاد /Bilmirr-saad/
Raa’ Sakina Preceded by Kasr ‘Aridh, or Hamza-Wasl:
Like: ارْجِعي /Erriji’i/- رب ارْجعون /Rabbi Errje’oon/
Tarqeeq of Raa’:
There are some other cases, that Raa’ should be pronounced lightly (by Tarqeeq):
Raa’ with Kasra:
Like in: رِحلة /Rihlah/- القارِعة / Al Qari’ah/
Raa’ Sakina, Preceded by Kasra, without an Isti’la’-Letter in the Same Word:
Like in: فرِعون /Fir’oun/- شرِعة /Shir’ah/
Raa’ Sakina (Due to Pause), and Preceded by Yaa:
Like in: خبير /Khabeer/- الخَيْر /Al-Khair/.
Raa’ Sakina (Due to Pause), Preceded by a Sakin-Istifal-Letter Preceded by Kasra, in the Same Word:
Like in: السِحْر /As-sihr/- الذِكْر /Adhizr/
Raa Cases Applicable for Both Tafkheem and Tarqeeq:
There are some cases of Raa’ that can be pronounced, whether by Tarqeeq or Tafkheem, as they may combine both of their conditions, yet one of them is more preferable:
Can Be Both, Yet Tarqeeq Is Favored:
There are five words in Qur’an where Raa’ can be pronounced both heavily and lightly, yet lightly (Tarqeeq) is more preferable, especially when not pausing at them, and keep reciting: فِرْقٍ
/firqin/_فَأَسْرِ /fa’asri/_يَسْرِ /yasri/_ وَنُذُرِ /wanudhuri/_ الْقِطْرِ /al-qitr/
- Note: accentuating the kasr of the Raa’ lightens its pronunciation.
Can Be Both, Yet Tafkheem Is Favored:
Tafkheem is definitely favored wherever the Isti’la-letters are found, even in those mentioned words, and especially when pausing at them, as the pause-caused sukoon accentuates the Isti’laa-letters: خ_ص_ض_غ_ط_ق_ظ)
Like: pausing at مصْر /Misrr/ in ﴿ادْخُلُواْ مِصْرَ﴾- as it has ص, as an Isti’la’-letter, and / firrq/ فرْق, too, as its Raa’ is sakina, and has ق, an Isti’la’-letter.
Read Also: The Throat-Letters (Al-Halq letters) With Examples
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Conclusion:
Articulating the Raa’ correctly- getting attentive of its certain cases of Tafkheem and Tarqeeq- is key to a precise, rhythmic recitation of the Qur’an. Learn more about all the various tajweed-techniques to maintain an accurate recitation of Qur’an, with the help of highly-qualified teachers of Riwaq Academy, where you can be taught proficiently, through a full-understanding and perfecting practice.
