Types of Madd in Tajweed

September 2, 2025

Types of Madd in Tajweed: A Comprehensive Guide to Mastering Quranic Recitation

Within the vast and intricate world of Tajweed, one of the most fundamental and captivating topics is Types of Madd in Tajweed. Madd, which literally means “elongation” or “stretching,” is the art of lengthening a vowel sound in specific situations. It adds a melodic rhythm and a profound sense of awe to the recitation, allowing the reciter to breathe life into the divine verses. Understanding the various types of Madd is not just a rule to follow; it’s a journey into the heart of Quranic aesthetics, a way to elevate your recitation from a simple reading to a deeply moving and spiritually enriching experience.

The Holy Quran, a divine masterpiece of guidance and wisdom, holds profound beauty not only in its message but also in the way it is recited. For Muslims around the world, reciting the Quran is an act of worship, a spiritual connection that transcends language barriers. To truly unlock the beauty and profound meaning of the Quran, one must delve into the science of Tajweed. Tajweed, an Arabic term meaning “to improve” or “to make better,” is the set of rules that govern the correct pronunciation of letters and words in the Quran. It ensures that every sound, every pause, and every elongation is executed with precision, preserving the purity of the divine text as it was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

Types of Madd in Tajweed

At Buruj Academy, we believe that every Muslim has the right to learn the Quran correctly. Our dedicated team of certified and experienced teachers is passionate about guiding you through every step of this sacred journey. Our online Tajweed courses are designed to help you master Tajweed and recite the Quran with confidence, clarity, and a beautiful rhythm. This comprehensive guide will explore the different types of Madd in Tajweed, providing clear explanations, examples, and practical tips to help you perfect your recitation.

The Foundation of Madd: The Three Madd Letters

Before we dive into the different types of Madd, it’s crucial to understand the three letters that form the basis of all Madd rules. These are the “Letters of Madd” ( $H u roo f$ $a l - M a dd$ ):

Alif (ا): A silent alif preceded by a Fatha (ـَ).
Waw (و): A silent waw preceded by a Dammah (ـُ).
Ya (ي): A silent ya preceded by a Kasrah (ـِ).

Whenever these three letters appear in a word with their specific preceding vowel, they trigger an elongation. The duration of this elongation, measured in “harakah” (vowel counts), is what differentiates the various types of Madd. A harakah is the amount of time it takes to say a single short vowel (Fatha, Kasrah, or Dammah).

The Two Primary Categories of Madd

The types of Madd are broadly classified into two main categories:

Madd Asli (The Original Madd): This is the basic, natural elongation that occurs when one of the three Madd letters is present without any of the factors that would cause a greater elongation (like a hamzah or sukoon). It is also known as Madd Tabee’ee (The Natural Madd).
Madd Far’i (The Secondary Madd): This is the extended elongation that occurs when one of the three Madd letters is followed by a Hamzah (ء) or a Sukoon (ـْ).

I. Madd Asli (The Original Madd)

Madd Asli is the foundational elongation in Tajweed. It is a fundamental rule that every reciter must master. The length of Madd Asli is always two harakah. It occurs naturally when one of the three Madd letters is present in a word, and there is no Hamzah or Sukoon following it.

Examples of Madd Asli:

Alif Madd (Alif preceded by Fatha):
- قَالُوا (Qaaloo): The alif after the qaaf is elongated for two harakah.
- مَالِكِ (Maaliki): The alif after the meem is elongated for two harakah.
Waw Madd (Waw preceded by Dammah):
- يَقُولُ (Yaqoolu): The waw after the qaaf is elongated for two harakah.
- نُوحٍ (Noohin): The waw after the noon is elongated for two harakah.
Ya Madd (Ya preceded by Kasrah):
- قِيلَ (Qeela): The ya after the qaaf is elongated for two harakah.
- فِيهَا (Feehaa): The ya after the faa is elongated for two harakah.

Madd Asli is the building block of all other Madd rules. Getting it right ensures your recitation is melodious and accurate. Our Tajweed for Beginners course is the perfect starting point to master this and other fundamental rules of Quranic recitation.

II. Madd Far’i (The Secondary Madd)

Madd Far’i is the more complex and varied category of Madd. It involves elongations that are longer than two harakah, ranging from two to six harakah, depending on the reason for the elongation (the “sabab” or cause). The two main causes for Madd Far’i are a Hamzah or a Sukoon.

A. Madd Far’i Caused by a Hamzah

There are three types of Madd Far’i that are triggered by a Hamzah:

Madd Muttasil (Connected Madd): This occurs when a Madd letter is followed by a Hamzah in the same word. The elongation is compulsory and must be four or five harakah.
- Example: جَاءَ (Jaa'a), سُوءَ (Soo'a), مَلَائِكَةٌ (Malaa'ikatun)
- In all these examples, the Hamzah immediately follows the Madd letter within the same word. The duration of the Madd is extended beyond the natural two harakah.
Madd Munfasil (Separated Madd): This occurs when a Madd letter is at the end of a word and is followed by a Hamzah at the beginning of the next word. The elongation is permissible, meaning it can be recited as two, four, or five harakah. However, for a consistent and beautiful recitation, it is highly recommended to stick to a uniform length throughout your reading.
- Example: بِمَا أُنْزِلَ (Bimaa unzila), قَالُوا آمَنَّا (Qaaloo aamannaa)
- Notice how the Madd letter is at the end of the first word, and the Hamzah is at the beginning of the second word.
Madd Silah: This Madd applies to the pronoun هو (hu) or هي (hi). It is elongated under specific conditions.
- Madd Silah Kubra (Greater Silah): This is a type of Madd Munfasil. It occurs when the هو (hu) or هي (hi) pronoun is between two letters with vowels (not Sukoon) and is followed by a Hamzah. It is elongated for four or five harakah.
  - Example: لَهُ أَجْرٌ (Lahu ajrun)
- Madd Silah Sughra (Lesser Silah): This is a type of Madd Asli. It occurs when the هو (hu) or هي (hi) pronoun is between two letters with vowels (not Sukoon) and is not followed by a Hamzah. It is elongated for two harakah.
  - Example: بِهِ بَصِيرًا (Bihi baseeran)

B. Madd Far’i Caused by a Sukoon

There are three main types of Madd Far’i that are triggered by a Sukoon:

Madd Lazim (Compulsory Madd):

This is the longest and most powerful type of Madd, with an elongation of six harakah. It occurs when a Madd letter is followed by a permanent Sukoon (a silent letter) within the same word. Madd Lazim is further divided into four sub-types:

- Madd Lazim Kalimi Muthaqqal (Heavy Word Madd): A Madd letter is followed by a Shaddah (ـّ) in the same word. The Shaddah represents a Sukoon and a vowel.
  - Example: الْحَاقَّةُ (Al-Haaqqah), الصَّاخَّةُ (As-Saakhkhah)
- Madd Lazim Kalimi Mukhaffaf (Light Word Madd): A Madd letter is followed by a Sukoon (not a Shaddah) in the same word. This is very rare in the Quran, with only one occurrence.
  - Example: الْآنَ (Al-Aana) (occurs twice in Surah Yunus).
- Madd Lazim Harfi Muthaqqal (Heavy Letter Madd): A Madd letter is in a separate letter (from the letters that form the opening of some Surahs) and is followed by a Shaddah.
  - Example: آلَمّ (Alif Laam Meem). Here, laam is a Madd letter followed by a Meem with a Shaddah.
- Madd Lazim Harfi Mukhaffaf (Light Letter Madd): A Madd letter is in a separate letter (from the letters that form the opening of some Surahs) and is followed by a Sukoon.
  - Example: ق (Qaf), ن (Noon), ص (Saad).

Madd ‘Aaridh Lil Sukoon (Temporary Madd due to Sukoon):

This is one of the most common types of Madd you will encounter during your recitation. It occurs when a Madd letter is followed by a letter with a vowel at the end of a word, and you choose to stop (waqf) on that word, thereby making the last letter silent (with a Sukoon). The elongation can be two, four, or six harakah.

- Example: الْعَالَمِينَ (Al-'aalameen). If you stop on this word, the final noon becomes silent. The ya is a Madd letter followed by a temporary Sukoon, allowing you to elongate the sound.

Madd Leen (Soft Madd):

This is a special type of Madd that applies to the silent waw or ya that is preceded by a Fatha (not a Dammah or Kasrah). It occurs when this special waw or ya is at the end of a word, and you choose to stop on it. The elongation can be two, four, or six harakah.

- Example: خَوْفٍ (Khawfin), بَيْتٍ (Baytin). If you stop on these words, the waw or ya is elongated.

Why is Mastering the Types of Madd so Important?

Mastering the different types of Madd is more than just a technical exercise; it’s a spiritual one. It’s about respecting the divine text and reciting it in the way it was revealed. Here are a few key reasons why understanding Madd is crucial:

Preserving the Meaning: Altering the length of a Madd can sometimes change the meaning of a word. Reciting with the correct Madd ensures the intended meaning is conveyed accurately.
Enhancing the Beauty of Recitation: Madd adds a musicality and flow to the recitation, making it more beautiful, engaging, and powerful. It allows the reciter to express the awe and reverence for the divine words.
Connecting to the Sunnah: The rules of Tajweed, including the types of Madd, were passed down through generations from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Learning and applying them is a way of following his Sunnah.
Improving Your Memory: The rhythmic nature of Tajweed, with its specific elongations and pauses, can aid in memorizing the Quran.

Start Your Journey with Buruj Academy for Types of Madd in Tajweed

Are you ready to elevate your Quranic recitation to a new level? Whether you are a complete beginner or looking to refine your Tajweed skills, Buruj Academy offers a wide range of online Tajweed courses tailored to your needs. Our dedicated instructors will provide one-on-one guidance, personalized feedback, and a supportive learning environment to help you master the science of Tajweed.

Our Quran Recitation courses are designed to help you not only understand the rules of Madd but also apply them with confidence and ease. We believe that learning the Quran should be an enjoyable and rewarding experience.

To begin your journey and discover the beauty of the Quran, visit our Tajweed courses page to learn more about our offerings.

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