Al-Itqan for Teaching Quranic Tajweed - Isti‘ādhah, Basmalah, and Tafkheem

This set covers the vocabulary and essential rules for seeking refuge, the Basmalah, and the characteristics of heaviness and lightness in Tajweed according to the lecture notes.

Isti‘ādhah (Linguistically)

It means to seek protection and refuge.

Isti‘ādhah (Technically)

Seeking protection and refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan.

Preferred Formulation of Isti‘ādhah

“أعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم” (I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed devil).

Ruling on Isti‘ādhah

The majority of scholars consider it preferable before reciting the Qur'an, though some consider it obligatory.

Jahr (Aloud) cases for Isti‘ādhah

When the reciter has listeners or when the reciter is the one initiating the recitation in a group.

Isrār (Silent) cases for Isti‘ādhah

When reading alone (aloud or silent), in prayer, or when reading in a group but not being the initiator.

Al-Basmala (Definition)

Derived from the past verb "Basmel", it means: “In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful”.

Ruling on Basmalah for Surah At-Tawbah (Bara’ah)

It is prohibited to recite the Basmalah at the beginning of this surah.

Ruling on Basmalah inside a Surah

It is recommended (preferable), and the reciter has the choice to recite it or not when starting from the middle.

Sakts (Pauses) according to Hafs

Hafs has $6$ pauses in the Qur'an: $4$ are obligatory and $2$ are permissible.

Tafkheem (Linguistically)

Heaviness and thickness.

Tafkheem (Applied Definition)

Heaviness in the sound of the letter that fills the mouth with echo.

Tarqeeq (Linguistically)

Lightness.

Tarqeeq (Applied Definition)

Thinness in the sound of the letter so the mouth does not fill with echo.

Letters that are Always Heavy

A group of $7$ letters found in the phrase $\text{خص ضغط قظ}$.

Rule of the Letter Alif ($\text{ألف}$)

It follows the letter that precedes it; it is heavy if the preceding letter is heavy and light if the preceding letter is light.

Rule of the Letter Laam ($\text{اللام}$) in the Name of Allah

It is pronounced heavy if preceded by a Fathah or Dammah, and light if preceded by a Kasrah.

Heavy Raa ($\text{راء}$) with Harakah

The Raa is always heavy if it has a Fat-hah or a Dhamma on it.

Light Raa ($\text{راء}$) with Harakah

The Raa is always light if it has a Kasrah on it.

Ra’ al-Maeelah (Tilted Raa)

A specific instance in the recitation of Hafs occurring in only one word: “مجراها”.