Harf and makhraj

Islam > Quran > Tajweed > Harf and makhraj

The meaning of the harf and the method to know its makhraj

In the language: the harf is the extremity (at-taraf).

In the terminology: a sound that rests on a makhraj muhaqqaq (verified) or muqaddar (estimated).

The makhraj muhaqqaq is that which rests on a determined part of the parts of the mouth, like the halq or the tongue. The makhraj muqaddar is that which rests on none of the parts of the mouth, like the makhraj of the alif, which comes out from the jawf.

The method to know the makhraj of a letter

The method to know the makhraj of any letter of the alphabet: pronounce it saakin or with shaddah, then make it preceded by a mutaharrik hamzat al-wasl, with any of the vowels. Where the sound is interrupted, there is its verified makhraj.

To know the makhraj of the madd letters, make one of them preceded by a mutaharrik letter with the vowel that suits it, then listen to it: you will find that it ends with the end of the air that comes out of the cavity of the mouth. It will thus appear to you that its makhraj is estimated, while the makhraj of the rest of the letters of the alphabet is verified.