TTAcademy- Isti'aathah, Basmalah, and Rules of Tajweed

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 available to the reciter.     * The commonly preferred formulation 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 beginning of the Qur’anic descent.

• Ruling on Isti‘ādhah ($حكمها$):     * Scholars do not have a consensus (agreement) on whether it is obligatory or recommended.     * The Majority of Scholars: Consider it preferable (recommended) to recite it at the beginning of recitation based on established practice.     * The Second Group of Scholars: Argue that it is obligatory to mention it at the beginning of recitation.

• Cases of Seeking Refuge Aloud (Jahr):     * 1. If the reciter is reading aloud and there is an audience (people listening to him).     * 2. If the reciter is reading aloud within a group and is the one initiating (starting) the recitation.

• Cases of Seeking Refuge Silently (Isrār):     * 1. If the reciter is reading aloud but no one is listening to him.     * 2. If the reciter is reading among a group but is not the one initiating the recitation.     * 3. If the reciter is reading silently, regardless of whether they are alone or in a group.     * 4. if in prayer, regardless of whether the person is an imam, a follower (Ma'moum), or praying individually.

Rules of Sayng the Basmalah

• Definition: The term is derived from the past verb "Basmel," which means: “In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful” ($ext{بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ}$).

• Ruling ($حكمها$):     * At the beginning of a Surah: It is obligatory for all reciters, with the sole exception of Surah At-Tawbah (also known as "Bara’ah"), where the Basmalah is not recited at the beginning.     * In the middle of a Surah: It is recommended (preferable); the reciter has the choice between reciting it or omitting it.     * Summary Table of Rules:         * At the beginning of Surahs: Obligatory.         * In the middle of Surahs: Preferable.         * At the beginning of Surat Al Tawbah: Prohibited.

Permissible Ways of Starting Recitation

• Starting any Surah (except Surat Bara’ah):     * Reciters must manage three parts: 1. Isti‘ādhah, 2. Basmalah, 3. The first Ayah of the Surah.     * Option 1: Connecting All: Reciting the Isti‘ādhah, Basmalah, and the first Ayah in one breath without pausing.     * Option 2: Connecting the first with the second and disconnecting the third: Reciting Isti‘ādhah and Basmalah together, pausing, then reciting the first Ayah.     * Option 3: Disconnecting the first with the second and connecting the third: Reciting the Isti‘ādhah, pausing, then reciting the Basmalah and first Ayah together.     * Option 4: Disconnecting All: Pausing after the Isti‘ādhah and pausing after the Basmalah (saying the three items separately).

• Starting from the Middle of any Surah (If saying the Basmalah):     * The examples provided use "أعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم", "بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم", and the text "أفتطمعون أن يؤمنوا".     * 1. Saying the three separately.     * 2. Saying Isti‘ādhah separately from the Basmalah and the first verse.     * 3. Saying Isti‘ādhah and Basmalah together, then the verse separately.     * 4. Reciting all without pausing.

• Starting from the Middle of any Surah (If NOT saying the Basmalah):     * 1. Start with Isti‘ādhah and pause before the verse.     * 2. Start with Isti‘ādhah and then recite the first verse immediately without pausing.     * Note: Saying the Basmalah is considered preferable even in the middle of a Surah.

• Connecting Two Surahs (In order of the Quran):     * Permissible Way 1: Connecting all (End of Surah 1, Basmalah, and Start of Surah 2).     * Permissible Way 2: Disconnecting all (Pause after Surah 1, pause after Basmalah).     * Permissible Way 3: Disconnecting the first (End of Surah 1) and connecting the second and third (Basmalah and Start of Surah 2).     * Prohibited Way: Connecting the first (End of Surah 1) with the second (Basmalah) and then disconnecting the third (Start of Surah 2). This is forbidden as the Basmalah is for the start of Surahs, not the end of them.

Pauses (Sakts) According to Hafs

• Hafs has a total of six pauses in the Qur'an.

• Obligatory Pauses (Specific to Hafs):     * 1. "عِوَجَا" in Surat Al-Kahf.     * 2. "مَنْ بَعَثَنَا" in Surat Yasin.     * 3. "مَنْ رَاقٍ" in Surat Al-Qiyamah.     * 4. "بَلْ رَانَ" in Surat Al-Mutaffifin.

• Permissible Pauses (For Hafs and all other reciters):     * 1. Between Surah Al-Anfal and Surah Al-Tawbah (Bara’ah).     * 2. On the words "مَالِيَهْ" and "هَلَكَ" in Surat Al-Haqqah.

Tafkheem (Heaviness) and Tarqeeq (Lightness)

• General Principle: Tafkheem and Tarqeeq are characteristics present in letters in some cases but not in others.

• Tafkheem (Heaviness):     * Linguistic Definition: Heaviness and thickness.     * Applied Definition: A heaviness in the sound of the letter that fills the mouth with an echo.

• Tarqeeq (Lightness):     * Linguistic Definition: Lightness.     * Applied Definition: A thinness in the sound of the letter so that the mouth does not fill with echo.

• General Classification of Letters:     * 1. Always Heavy: Seven letters grouped in the phrase "خص ضغط قظ".     * 2. Varying between Heavy and Light: The letters Alif ($\text{ألف}$), Laam ($J$), and Raa ($ر$).         * The letter Laam ($J$) is always light EXCEPT in the name of Allah ($ext{الله}$), where it can be light or heavy depending on the vowel preceding it.     * 3. Letters not described by heaviness or lightness: The literal Alif ($ext{االلف}$) is mentioned as following the preceding letter.     * 4. Always Light: All remaining letters.

Specific Rules for Alif, Laam, and Raa

• The Letter Alif ($ext{ألف}$):     * It 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: "شاَ اَ َمع").

• The Letter Laam ($J$) in the Exalted Name of Allah ($ext{الله - اللهم}$):     * The Laam is originally a light letter as it is generally light in the Quran.     * Condition for Heaviness: If the word preceding the Name of Majesty is voweled with a Fathah or a Dhammah, or if the reader starts reading with the name of Allah.     * Condition for Lightness: If the word preceding the Name of Majesty is voweled with a Kasrah.     * This rule applies to all reciters, in addition to the Lams of Warsh.

• The Letter Raa ($ر$):     * The Raa can be: 1. Always heavy, 2. Always light, 3. Light or heavy (with light preferred), 4. Light or heavy (with heavy preferred).     * Cases where Raa is Always Heavy (Tafkheem):         * 1. If the Raa has a Fathah or a Dhammah (Examples: "رَبَّنَا", "رُزِقُوا").         * 2. If the Raa is Sakinah (silent) and the preceding letter has a Fathah or Dhammah (Example: "فَأَثَرْنَ", "تَجْرِي").         * 3. If the Raa Sakinah is preceded by another Sakinah letter, which is itself preceded by a letter with a Fathah or Dhammah (Example: "عَشْر").         * 4. If the Raa Sakinah follows a Hamzatul Wasl (Example: "ارْتَضَى", "ارْجِعِي").         * 5. If the Raa is voweled with a Dhammah in Wasl (connection) and we stop on it with Rawm (Example: "مُنتَشِرٌ").         * 6. If the Raa has an original Sukoon, is preceded by an original Kasrah, AND is followed by an elevated (heavy/Mostaali) letter that is not voweled with a Kasrah. Examples include: "قِرْطَاسٍ", "فِرْقَةٍ", "إِرْصَادًا", "مِرْصَادًا", "لَبِالْمِرْصَادِ".     * Cases where Raa is Always Light (Tarqeeq):         * 1. If the Raa has a Kasrah on it (Example: "رِجَال").         * 2. If the Raa is Sakinah and preceded by a Kasrah (Example: "فِرْعَوْن").         * 3. If the Raa is Sakin, preceded by a Sakin, and preceded by a letter with a Kasrah (Example: "السِّحْر").         * 4. If the Raa is Sakin and preceded by Yaa Madd or Yaa Leen (Example: "قَدِير").         * 5. If the Raa is voweled with an original Kasrah and we stop on it with Rawm.         * 6. The Tilted Ra’ (Ra’ al-Maeelah) which occurs in only one word for Hafs: "مَجْر۪ىهَا".     * Exceptional/Complex Rules for Raa:         * If the Raa is Sakinah preceded by a Kasrah but followed by a heavy letter in the same word, it is heavy (e.g., "قِرْطَاسٍ").         * Special cases like "وَنُذُر", "فَأَسْرِ", "يَسْرِ" involve specific rulings.         * Comparison cases for Heavy vs. Light preference: "مصر" (Egypt) and "القطر" (Molten copper).