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

Rules of Seeking Refuge (Isti‘ādhah)

Linguistic Definition: Linguistically, Isti‘ādhah (االستعاذة) means to seek protection and refuge.
Technical Definition: Technically, it refers to the act of seeking protection and refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan.
Formulation of Isti‘ādhah (صيغة االستعاذة): * There are several valid forms of the formulation. * The commonly preferred form among reciters is: "أعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم" (Translation: “I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed devil”). * This specific form is supported by revelation at the start of the Qur’anic descent.
Ruling on Isti‘ādhah (حكمها): * There is no scholarly consensus on whether it is obligatory or recommended. * The majority of scholars consider it preferable (recommended) to recite it before beginning the recitation of the Qur'an based on established practice. * Another group of scholars maintains that mentioning it at the beginning of recitation is obligatory.
Cases of Seeking Refuge Aloud (Jahr): * There are two specific scenarios where seeking refuge is done aloud: 1. If the reciter is reading aloud and there are people present and listening to him. 2. If the reciter is reading aloud as part of a group and he is the one who initiates the recitation.
Cases of Seeking Refuge Silently (Isrār): * There are four specific scenarios where seeking refuge is performed silently: 1. If the reciter is reading aloud but in a setting where no one is listening to him. 2. If the reciter is reading among a group but is not the person initiating the recitation. 3. If the reciter is reading silently, regardless of whether they are alone or in a group. 4. If the recitation occurs within prayer, regardless of whether the person is the imam, a follower, or praying individually.

Rules of the Basmalah

Definition: The term Basmalah is derived from the past verb "Basmel," which means: “In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful” (بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ).
Ruling of the Basmalah: * At the Beginning of Surahs: It is obligatory for all reciters to recite the Basmalah at the beginning of every surah. * The Exception (Surat At-Tawbah): The Basmalah is not recited at the beginning of Surah At-Tawbah (also known as "Bara’ah"). Reciting it here is prohibited. * In the Middle of Surahs: If a reciter starts from the middle of a surah, the Basmalah is recommended (preferable), and the reciter has the choice to either recite it or omit it.

Permissible Ways of Starting Recitation

Starting any Surah (Except Surat At-Tawbah): There are four permissible ways to combine Isti‘ādhah, Basmalah, and the first verse (Aya) of a surah: 1. Disconnecting All: Pausing after the Isti‘ādhah, pausing after the Basmalah, and then starting the first verse. 2. Connecting First with Second and Disconnecting the Third: Joining the Isti‘ādhah with the Basmalah in one breath, then pausing before the first verse. 3. Disconnecting First with Second and Connecting the Third: Pausing after the Isti‘ādhah, then joining the Basmalah with the first verse in one breath. 4. Connecting All: Joining the Isti‘ādhah, the Basmalah, and the first verse all together in a single breath.
Starting from the Middle of a Surah (With Basmalah): The same four options listed above apply if the reciter chooses to use the Basmalah.
Starting from the Middle of a Surah (Without Basmalah): There are two permissible ways: 1. To start with the Isti‘ādhah and pause (separate) before starting the verse. 2. To start with the Isti‘ādhah and immediately recite the verse without pausing (connecting). * Note: Saying the Basmalah is still considered preferable even in the middle of a surah.
Connecting Two Surahs in Order of the Qur’an: * The same four structural methods (Connecting/Disconnecting) generally apply when moving from the end of one surah to the beginning of the next, with one major exception. * Prohibited Way: It is prohibited to connect the end of the previous surah to the Basmalah and then pause before beginning the next surah. This is because the Basmalah is intended for the beginning of the surah, not the end of the preceding one.

Pauses (Sakts) According to Hafs

Overview: According to the recitation of Hafs, there are six pauses (Sakts) in the Qur'an.
Obligatory Pauses (4 Cases): 1. Surat Al-Kahf: On the word "عِوَجَا ً". 2. Surat Yasin: On the words "مَن بَعَثَنَا". 3. Surat Al-Qiyamah: On the words "مَنْ رَاقٍ". 4. Surat Al-Mutaffifin: On the words "بَلْ رَانَ".
Permissible Pauses (2 Cases): 1. Between Surah Al-Anfal and Surah Al-Tawbah (Bara’ah). 2. Surat Al-Haqqah: On the words "مَالِيَهْ" and "هَلَكَ".

Tafkheem (Heaviness) and Tarqeeq (Lightness)

Definition of Tafkheem: * Linguistically: Means heaviness and thickness. * Applied Definition: A heaviness in the sound of the letter that fills the mouth with echo.
Definition of Tarqeeq: * Linguistically: Means lightness. * Applied Definition: A thinness in the sound of the letter so that the mouth does not fill with echo.
Categorization of Letters: 1. Letters Always Heavy: Seven letters grouped in the phrase "خص ضغط قظ". 2. Letters that Round (Alternate) Between Heaviness and Lightness: These include the Alif (ا), the Laam (ل) in the word "Allah," and the Raa (ر). 3. Letters Not Described as Heavy or Light: The Alif (ا) in certain contexts (though one slide characterizes it as following the preceding letter). 4. Letters Always Light: The remaining letters of the alphabet.

Rules for Alif and Laam

The Alif (ألف): * The Alif follows the letter that precedes it. * If the preceding letter is heavy, the Alif is pronounced heavy (Example: "قال"). * If the preceding letter is light, the Alif is pronounced light (Example: "شا", "مع").
The Laam (الم): * Origin: The Laam is originally a light letter and is generally light throughout the Qur'an. * The Name of Majesty (Allah/Allahum): The Laam in "Allah" (الله) or "Allahum" (اللهم) becomes heavy in specific cases: * Heavy: If the letter before the name of Allah has a Fathah or a Dammah. * Heavy: If the reader begins reading with the name of Allah. * Light: If the letter before the name of Allah has a Kasrah.

Rules for the Letter Raa (ر)

Cases where Raa is Always Heavy (Tafkheem): 1. If the Raa has a Fathah or a Dammah. 2. If the Raa is Sakinah (silent) and the letter before it has a Fathah or a Dammah. 3. If the Raa Sakinah is preceded by another Sakinah letter, which itself is preceded by a letter with a Fathah or Dammah (Example: "عصر", "فجر"). 4. If the Raa Sakinah comes immediately after a Hamzatul Wasl (Example: "ارْجِعِي", "لِمَنِ ارْتَضَى"). 5. If the Raa is Sakin with an original sukoon, is preceded by an original Kasrah, and is followed by one of the elevated (heavy) letters in the same word (provided that heavy letter does not have a Kasrah). Examples include: "قِرْطَاسٍ", "فِرْقَةٍ", "إِرْصَادًا", "مِرْصَادًا", "لَبِالْمِرْصَادِ". 6. If the Raa is voweled with a Dammah in Wasl (connection) but we stop on it with Rawm (Example: "الْخُبْرُ", "مُنتَشِرٌ").
Cases where Raa is Always Light (Tarqeeq): 1. If the Raa has a Kasrah (Example: "رِجَال"). 2. If the Raa is Sakinah and is preceded by an original Kasrah (Example: "فِرْعَوْن"). 3. If the Raa is Sakin, preceded by another Sakin letter, which is preceded by a letter with a Kasrah (Example: "السِّحْر"). 4. If the Raa is Sakin and is preceded by a Yaa Madd or a Yaa Leen (Example: "قَدِير"). 5. If the Raa is voweled with an original Kasrah and we stop on it with Rawm (Example: "السِّحْر"). 6. The Tilted Raa (Ra’ al-Maeelah): Occurs in only one word for the recitation of Hafs: "مَجْريٰهَا".
Exceptional/Choice Cases: * Both Heavy or Light (Harakah on previous letter/exceptional cases): Examples include "مِصْر" and "الْقِطْر". * Both Heavy or Light (Due to following heavy letter): Example: "فِرْق". * Both Heavy or Light (Special deletions): Examples like "وَنُذُر", "فَأَسْر", "يَسْر".