Tajweed is the set of rules that governs the proper pronunciation of the Quran. It is an essential aspect of learning how to recite the Quran accurately and beautifully. One of the critical rules of Tajweed is Idgham, which involves merging two adjacent letters when reciting the Quran. Understanding Idgham is crucial for correctly reciting the Quran and can significantly impact the meaning of the words and verses. This article will explore what is idgham in tajweed and why Muslims must understand and apply this rule when reciting the Quran.
What is Idgham?
Idgham is a Tajweed rule that involves merging two letters, one of which has a sukoon (a diacritical mark indicating a short vowel sound). The purpose of Idgham is to make the transition between the two letters smoother and easier to pronounce. When two letters meet in this way, they are said to be “merged” or “hidden” (Hannah), and the sound produced is nasal.
Idgham is further classified into two types: Idgham with Hannah (Idgham bill-Hannah) and Learning Quran With Tajweed Online without ghunnah (Idgham bill-waqf). In Idgham with Hannah, the merged two letters produce a nasal sound with a slight vibration in the nose. In Idgham without Hannah, the two letters are merged without any nasal sound.
How does Idgham work?
Idgham occurs when two letters meet in certain combinations. The letters that can be merged with Idgham are:
- ب (ba) + م (meem)
- ت (ta) + م (meem)
- ث (tha) + م (meem)
- ج (jeem) + م (meem)
- د (daal) + ذ (dhaal)
- ر (raa) + ز (zaa)
- ل (laam) + ر (raa)
- ن (noon) + م (meem)
For example, when the letter ب (ba) with a sukoon meets the letter م (meem), they are merged with Idgham to produce the sound “mb”. Similarly, when the letter ت (ta) with a sukoon meets the letter م (meem), they are merged with Idgham to produce the sound “mm”.
Importance of Idgham in Tajweed
Idgham is an essential concept in Tajweed as it helps to ensure the correct pronunciation of the Arabic language. The correct pronunciation of Arabic letters and words is vital as it can change the meaning of a word entirely. Therefore, it is essential to master the Tajweed rules to recite the Quran correctly.
Idgham is also important as it helps to make the recitation of the Quran more melodic and harmonious. When reciting the Quran, the Tajweed rules, including Idgham, help to create a rhythm and flow to the recitation, making it more enjoyable to listen to.
How to Apply Idgham
- To apply Idgham correctly, one must first recognize the letters that can be merged with Idgham. Once you have identified the letters, you must practice merging them while producing the nasal sound.
- It is crucial to remember that Idgham is not applied in every situation where two letters meet with a sukoon. As mentioned earlier, specific combinations of letters allow for Idgham.
- It is also important to note that the nasal sound produced during Idgham must be clear and audible but not overly pronounced. The nasal sound should be produced effortlessly and should not sound force.
You can use Tajweed to enjoy the Quran reading schedule during Ramadan
Types of Idgham
There are two types of Important Tips for Learning Proper Tajweed– Idgham bila ghunnah and Idgham bi ghunnah.
Idgham bila Hannah is when the two letters are merged without any nasal sound. This type of Idgham occurs when a letter with a sukoon (a small circle on top) is followed by a letter with one of the following six letters: ب (ba), م (meem), ي (ya), و (wow), ن (noon), and ر (ra).
For example, in verse “فَلَمَّا تَرَاهُ عُقْبَىٰ سَاقٍ” (Surah Al-Qalam, verse 42), the word عُقْبَىٰ is pronounced as Iqbal instead of uq-baa, as the letters ق (qaaf) and ب (ba) are merged without any nasal sound.
Idgham by Hannah, on the other hand, is when the two letters are merged with a nasal sound. This type of Idgham occurs when a letter with a sukoon is followed by a letter with one of the following four letters: ج (jeem), د (dal), ط (ta), and ظ (za).
For example, in the verse “وَمَن يُؤْتَ الْحِكْمَةَ فَقَدْ أُوتِيَ خَيْرًا كَثِيرًا” (Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 269), the word يُؤْتَيَ is pronounced as yu’tiya instead of yu’ti-ya, as the letters ت (ta) and ي (ya) are merged with a nasal sound.
Rules of Idgham
Certain rules must be followed when applying the Idgham rule. These include:
- The letter with the sukoon must be from one of the seven letters of Idgham.
- The letter with the sukoon must be followed by a letter with the same point of articulation.
- The letter with the sukoon must not be a shadda letter (a letter with a double form).
- The letter with the sukoon must not be followed by a hamzah or a sukoon
In the end, you can join Online Tajweed Classes to get acquainted with the Tajweed offered by our website Arabian tongue
People also ask about the following:
What is a diphthong in intonation?
A diphthong in intonation combines two vowel sounds pronounced within one syllable with a rising or falling pitch contour.
What is the difference between a diphthong and a monophthong?
A monophthong is a single vowel sound pronounced within one syllable, while a diphthong combines two sounds pronounced within one syllable.
How are diphthongs pronounced?
Diphthongs are pronounced with a continuous gliding movement between two vowel sounds. The tongue and mouth move from the first vowel sound to the second.
How are diphthongs used in intonation?
Diphthongs can convey different emotions or attitudes in speech, such as emphasis or surprise. A diphthong's rising or falling pitch contour can also affect the meaning of a word or sentence.
Summary:
As Muslims, reciting the Quran is an integral part of our daily lives. The beauty of the Quranic verses lies not only in the meaning of the words but also in their musical recitation. This is where Tajweed comes in – the science of properly pronouncing the Quranic words. Tajweed rules help to ensure that the Quranic verses are recited correctly and with proper pronunciation.