Madd ‘Arid Li-Sukoon: Rules, Types, and Quranic Examples

Key Takeaways

Madd ‘Arid Li-Sukoon is a secondary (far’i) elongation caused by a temporary pause-induced sukoon on the letter after a madd letter.

Its most common form — originating from a natural (tabi’i) madd — is permissible at 2, 4, or 6 counts, with 4 or 6 counts preferred.

Madd ‘Arid Li-Sukoon has four types based on the origin of the madd letter: tabi’i, leen, badal, and waajib muttasil.

When the origin is Madd Waajib Muttasil with a final hamzah, the minimum at pause rises to 4 counts — not 2.

Recognizing ‘Arid Li-Sukoon is foundational to correct waqf (pausing) in Quran recitation — a daily practical skill, not just theory.

Pausing at the end of an ayah is one of the most frequent acts in Quran recitation — yet it is also where one of Tajweed’s most misunderstood rules silently applies. Every time you stop at a word ending in a voweled letter preceded by a madd letter, Madd ‘Arid Li-Sukoon is in effect.

Madd ‘Arid Li-Sukoon is a secondary (far’i) elongation that activates during waqf (pause), when the final voweled letter becomes temporarily silent. Its duration — 2, 4, or 6 counts — depends on the original type of madd present before the pause, and mastering it transforms your waqf from approximate to precise.

What Is Madd ‘Arid Li-Sukoon and Why Does It Occur?

Madd ‘Arid Li-Sukoon is defined in classical Tajweed science as: the elongation of a madd letter when the letter immediately following it carries a temporary (non-original) sukoon caused solely by the act of pausing. 

What Does The Word ‘Arid Mean?

The word ‘arid means “incidental” or “temporary” — distinguishing this sukoon from an original, permanent one that would create different rules entirely.

This madd does not exist during wasl (continuation). When you continue reciting without pause, the following letter retains its vowel, and no elongation beyond the original madd applies. 

The elongation only activates at the moment of waqf — making this a waqf-specific rule practiced dozens of times in every recitation session.

In our sessions at Buruj Academy, this is one of the first rules where students realize Tajweed is not abstract — it is embedded in every natural pause they take.

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What Are the Types of Madd ‘Arid Li-Sukoon?

Madd ‘Arid Li-Sukoon is classified into four types based on the original nature of the madd letter preceding the paused consonant. Each type carries specific duration rules that must be applied consistently.

Type 1: ‘Arid Li-Sukoon Originating from Madd Tabi’i (Natural Madd)

This is the most common type. The madd letter in the word originally carries a natural (tabi’i) elongation of 2 counts during continuous recitation. At waqf, the final letter gains a temporary sukoon, and the madd letter before it may be extended to 2, 4, or 6 counts.

Duration at Waqf	Counts	Status
Qasr (short)	2	Permissible
Tawassut (medium)	4	Preferred
Tul (long)	6	Preferred

Classical scholars regard 4 and 6 counts as preferable (afdal) for this type.

Madd Arid Examples:

وَفِرْعَوْنَ ذِي الْأَوْتَادِ

Wa Fir’awna dhil-awtaad

“And [of] Pharaoh, owner of the stakes.” (Al-Fajr 89:10)

(At waqf on الْأَوْتَادِ*, the alif before the daal — which gains sukoon at pause — is extended 2, 4, or 6 counts.)*

كَلَّا بَلْ تُكَذِّبُونَ بِالدِّينِ

Kallaa bal tukadhdhiBoona bid-deen

“No! But you deny the Day of Recompense.” (Al-Infitar 82:9)

(The ya’ madd in بِالدِّينِ is elongated 2, 4, or 6 counts at pause.)

يَعْلَمُونَ مَا تَفْعَلُونَ

Ya’lamoona maa taf’aloon

“They know whatever you do.” (Al-Infitar 82:12)

(The waw madd before the nun — silenced at waqf — is extended 2, 4, or 6 counts.)

Type 2: ‘Arid Li-Sukoon Originating from Madd Leen (Soft Madd)

Madd Leen occurs when a waw or ya’ is saakin (vowelless) and preceded by a fathah. During continuous recitation, these letters carry no elongation. At waqf, however, the letter following them gains sukoon, and the waw or ya’ of leen may be extended 2, 4, or 6 counts.

This type is sometimes called Madd ‘Arid Li-Sukoon from Leen and its duration rules match Type 1.

Madd ‘Arid Li-Sukoon Examples:

إِيلَافِهِمْ رِحْلَةَ الشِّتَاءِ وَالصَّيْفِ

Ilaafihim rihlata-shshitaa’i was-sayf

“Their accustomed security of the caravan of winter and summer.” (Quraysh 106:2)

(At waqf on وَالصَّيْفِ*, the ya’ of leen before the fa’ — now saakin — is extended 2, 4, or 6 counts.)*

فَلْيَعْبُدُوا رَبَّ هَذَا الْبَيْتِ

Falya’budoo rabba haadhal-bayt

“Let them worship the Lord of this House.” (Quraysh 106:3)

وَآمَنَهُم مِّنْ خَوْفٍ

Wa aamanahum min khawf

“And made them safe from fear.” (Quraysh 106:4)

(The waw of leen in خَوْفٍ is extended at waqf 2, 4, or 6 counts.)

At Buruj Academy, our Tajweed for Beginners course dedicates a full lesson to leen letters specifically because students consistently overlook them — treating them as regular consonants rather than soft madd letters with their own waqf rules.

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Read also: Madd Leen: Rules, Letters, and Examples in the Quran

Type 3: ‘Arid Li-Sukoon Originating from Madd Badal (Substitution Madd)

Madd Badal occurs when a hamzah is followed by a madd letter, and that madd letter originated as a substitution for a second hamzah. During continuous recitation, Madd Badal carries 2 counts. At waqf, the duration options expand to 2, 4, or 6 counts — the same three options as Types 1 and 2.

Madd Origin	During Wasl	At Waqf
Tabi’i	2 counts	2, 4, or 6
Leen	No elongation	2, 4, or 6
Badal	2 counts	2, 4, or 6

Madd ‘Arid Li-Sukoon Examples:

وَاللَّهُ عِندَهُ حُسْنُ الْمَآبِ

Wallaahu ‘indahu husn-ul-ma’aab

“And Allah — with Him is the best return.” (Aal ‘Imran 3:14)

(The alif in الْمَآبِ originates as Madd Badal; at waqf on the ba’, it may be extended 2, 4, or 6 counts.)

إِنَّ فِرْعَوْنَ وَهَامَانَ وَجُنُودَهُمَا كَانُوا خَاطِئِينَ

Inna Fir’awna wa Hamaana wa junooda-humaa kaanoo khaati’een

“Indeed, Pharaoh and Haman and their soldiers were deliberate sinners.” (Al-Qasas 28:8)

الَّذِينَ هُمْ يُرَاؤُونَ

Alladheena hum yuraa’oon

“Who are showing off.” (Al-Ma’un 107:6)

Type 4: ‘Arid Li-Sukoon Originating from Madd Waajib Muttasil with a Final Hamzah

This type applies when the word contains a Madd Waajib Muttasil (obligatory connected madd) and its hamzah falls at the end of the word — meaning it becomes the paused letter. This is a more restricted case with a higher minimum duration.

During continuous recitation (wasl), Madd Waajib Muttasil is recited at 4 or 5 counts according to the narration of Hafs ‘an ‘Asim. At waqf, with the hamzah gaining temporary sukoon, the duration expands to 4, 5, or 6 counts — and 2 counts is NOT permissible here, unlike the first three types.

Scenario	Permissible Counts
Wasl (continuous)	4 or 5 counts
Waqf (pause)	4, 5, or 6 counts

This distinction is critical. Students who apply the standard 2-count qasr to this type are making a Tajweed error.

Madd Arid Examples:

ذَلِكَ فَضْلُ اللَّهِ يُؤْتِيهِ مَن يَشَاءُ

Dhaalika fadlullaahi yu’teehi man yashaa’

“That is the bounty of Allah; He gives it to whom He wills.” (Al-Jumu’ah 62:4)

(At waqf on يَشَاءُ*, the hamzah gains sukoon, and the alif before it — originally Madd Waajib Muttasil — is extended 4, 5, or 6 counts only.)*

وَيَبْسُطُوا إِلَيْكُمْ أَيْدِيَهُمْ وَأَلْسِنَتَهُم بِالسُّوءِ

Wa yabsutoo ilaykum aydiyahum wa alsinatahum bis-soo’

“And extend against you their hands and their tongues with evil.” (Al-Mumtahanah 60:2)

وَلَا الْمُسِيءُ

Wa lal-musee’

“Nor the evildoer.” (Ghafir 40:58)

If you are working toward confident waqf application in full Quran recitation, our Online Tajweed Classes give you direct, real-time feedback from Ijazah-certified instructors who correct these distinctions precisely — not approximately.

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Read also: Madd Muttasil: Definition, Rule, Examples, and Symbol in Tajweed

How Does Madd ‘Arid Li-Sukoon Differ from Madd Tabi’i at Waqf?

Madd ‘Arid Li-Sukoon and Madd Tabi’i are related but fundamentally different in scope and application. Madd Tabi’i is the base elongation of 2 counts present whether you pause or continue. Madd ‘Arid Li-Sukoon is the additional permissible extension that activates only at waqf — giving the reciter the choice to extend to 4 or 6 counts.

Think of Madd Tabi’i as the floor — always present. Madd ‘Arid Li-Sukoon is the ceiling that rises with the pause.

Feature	Madd Tabi’i	Madd ‘Arid Li-Sukoon
Applies during	Wasl and Waqf	Waqf only
Duration	Fixed: 2 counts	Variable: 2, 4, or 6 counts
Sukoon type	None	Temporary (incidental)
Classification	Asli (original)	Far’i (secondary)

A student who reads a paused word with only 2 counts every time is not wrong — but they are missing the preferred recitation. The scholars of Tajweed explicitly state that 4 and 6 counts are afdal (preferable) for Types 1, 2, and 3.

Consistent application of this preference is part of what distinguishes studied recitation from uninstructed reading. 

For a broader foundation in elongation rules, our article on Tajweed rules for beginners provides helpful context.

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A Practical Summary of Madd ‘Arid Li-Sukoon Duration Rules

The single most practical thing to memorize about this rule is the duration by type — applied every time you stop at an ayah ending.

Type	Madd Origin	At Waqf	Preferred
1	Tabi’i	2, 4, or 6	4 or 6
2	Leen	2, 4, or 6	4 or 6
3	Badal	2, 4, or 6	4 or 6
4	Waajib Muttasil (final hamzah)	4, 5, or 6	4, 5, or 6

One consistency rule across all four types: whatever duration you choose, maintain it throughout your recitation session. Switching between 2 counts and 6 counts randomly within a single reading reflects inconsistency, which classical Tajweed scholars consider a fault in recitation style.

For students working through how to read the Quran with Tajweed, establishing this consistency from the beginning prevents difficult habits from forming later.

Master Tajweed Waqf Rules with Buruj Academy’s Expert Instructors

Applying Madd ‘Arid Li-Sukoon correctly requires more than reading a rule chart — it requires a trained ear, real-time correction, and consistent practice with qualified guidance.

At Buruj Academy, our Online Tajweed Classes are led by Al-Azhar University graduates holding Ijazah certification in Hafs ‘an ‘Asim recitation, with 12+ years teaching non-Arabic speakers globally. 

Every session is personalized 1-on-1, with flexible scheduling and immediate pronunciation correction using the Buruj Method: Sound-before-rules. 

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Whether you are beginning Tajweed or refining advanced waqf application, book your free trial lesson today and recite with accuracy, confidence, and beauty — Insha’Allah.

Frequently Asked Questions About Madd ‘Arid Li-Sukoon