Additional Tajweed Topics
Beyond the main rules covered in other sections, there are several additional important topics in Tajweed that every reciter should be aware of. This page covers special situations and rules that enhance proper Quranic recitation.
السكتة (As-Saktah)
Brief Stop Without Taking Breath
Saktah (السكتة) is a brief pause during recitation without taking a breath. It's approximately equal to two counts in length. Unlike Waqf (stopping), there is no change in the vowel sounds at the Saktah points.
Places of Saktah in Hafs Recitation:
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Surah Al-Kahf (18:1-2):
وَلَمْ يَجْعَل لَّهُ عِوَجَاۜ
Brief pause after the word عِوَجَا
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Surah Yasin (36:52):
...مَرْقَدِنَاۜ
Brief pause after the word مَرْقَدِنَا
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Surah Al-Qiyamah (75:27):
وَقِيلَ مَنْ ۜرَاقٍۢ
Brief pause after the word مَنْ
Important Note:
In a Mushaf, a Saktah is indicated by a small س (seen) above where the pause should occur. The reciter should briefly pause, then continue the recitation.
الإمالة (Al-Imaalah)
Inclination
Al-Imaalah (Inclination)
Al-Imaalah is the inclination of the sound of a fathah (َ) toward a kasrah (ِ), or an alif toward a yaa. In Hafs recitation, Imaalah occurs in only one word in the Quran:
In Surah Hud (11:41), the word مَجْرٮٰهَا is recited with Imaalah, where the sound of the alif is inclined somewhat toward a yaa sound.
التسهيل (At-Tasheel)
Facilitating the Hamzah
Tasheel refers to the softening of the hamzah sound, making it easier to pronounce. It is used in specific instances in the Quran where two hamzahs meet. Instead of pronouncing both hamzahs fully, the second one is softened.
Examples in Hafs Recitation:
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ءَا۬عْجَمِىٌّ
In Surah Fussilat (41:44), the second hamzah is softened.
How to Recite:
To perform Tasheel, the reciter pronounces the first hamzah normally but softens the second one.