Comprehensive Study Notes on Al-Madd al-Far'i

Learning Objectives for the Study of Al-Madd al-Far'i

The primary goals of this lesson on the rules of Tajweed are designed to ensure the student can comprehensively understand and apply the principles of Al-Madd al-Far'i. By the end of this study, the student is expected to be able to infer the exact meaning of Al-Madd al-Far'i and identify its various divisions. Furthermore, the student must be able to distinguish between the types of Al-Madd al-Far'i caused specifically by the Hamza ($\text{ء}$) and those caused by Sukun ($\circ$). Practical application is also a core requirement, as students must recite specific Qur'anic verses while correctly demonstrating the prolongation, extract instances of the Madd from the text, and identify the specific legal rulings (ahkam) associated with each occurrence.

Definition and Fundamentals of Al-Madd al-Far'i

Al-Madd al-Far'i, often referred to as derivative or branch prolongation, is defined as a prolongation that exceeds the length of the natural prolongation (Al-Madd al-Tabi'i). This extra lengthening occurs specifically when a letter of prolongation (Huruf al-Madd) is followed by either a Hamza ($\text{ء}$) or a Sukun ($\circ$). The letters of prolongation involved in this rule are the Alif ($\text{ا}$), the Waw ($\text{و}$), and the Ya ($\text{ي}$). The term "Far'i" is used because this type of Madd is considered a branch that stems from and builds upon the foundational natural prolongation. The specific cause of the extra length determines the classification and the legal ruling of the Madd.

Al-Madd al-Far'i Caused by the Hamza: Al-Madd al-Muttasil

The first primary category of Al-Madd al-Far'i is that which is triggered by the presence of a Hamza. This category is subdivided into two types, the first of which is Al-Madd al-Muttasil (The Connected Prolongation). This occurs when the letter of prolongation and the Hamza appear within the same single word without any separation between them. The ruling (hukm) for Al-Madd al-Muttasil is Wajib (Mandatory), meaning it is obligatory for the reciter to prolong it during recitation. The duration for this prolongation is measured as either $4$ or $5$ Harakat (vowel counts). An example of this can be found in Surat al-Inshiqaq, Verse $1$: $\text{إِذَا السَّمَاءُ أَنشَقَّتْ}$ (Idha al-sama'u inshaqqat), where the Alif is followed by a Hamza in the word $\text{السَّمَاءُ}$. Another example is found in the phrase: $\text{لَا يَسُوهُمُ السُّوءُ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ}$.

Al-Madd al-Far'i Caused by the Hamza: Al-Madd al-Munfasil

The second type of prolongation caused by the Hamza is Al-Madd al-Munfasil (The Disconnected Prolongation). This occurs when the letter of prolongation is located at the very end of one word, and the following word begins with a Hamza. Unlike the connected version, the ruling for Al-Madd al-Munfasil is Ja'iz (Permissible), meaning the reciter has options regarding its length. It can be prolonged for a duration of $4$ or $5$ Harakat, or it can be shortened (Qasr) to the length of the natural prolongation, which is exactly $2$ Harakat. Several examples illustrate this rule: In Surat an-Nur, Verse $31$, the phrase $\text{وَتُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ}$ (Wa tubu ila Allah) shows the Waw at the end of the first word followed by the Hamza of the second. In Surat Yusuf, Verse $3$, the phrase $\text{بِمَا أَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْكَ}$ (Bima awhayna ilayk) displays the Alif at the end of the word $\text{بِمَا}$ followed by the Hamza starting $\text{أَوْحَيْنَا}$. Additionally, in Surat al-Hijr, Verse $49$, the verse $\text{نَبِّئْ عِبَادِي أَنِّي أَنَا الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ}$ (Nabbi' 'ibadi anni ana al-ghafur al-rahim) contains instances of this type of prolongation.

Al-Madd al-Far'i Caused by Sukun: Al-Madd al-'Arid li-Sukun

The second major division of Al-Madd al-Far'i consists of prolongations caused by a Sukun. One significant type in this category is Al-Madd al-'Arid li-Sukun (The Temporary Prolongation due to Sukun). This occurs when a letter of prolongation is followed by a letter that is originally voweled but becomes silent (Sakin) temporarily because the reciter chooses to stop (Waqf) on that word during recitation. If the reciter were to continue without stopping, the prolongation would remain natural ($2$ Harakat), but the act of stopping creates a "temporary sukun" that allows for the extended Madd. A classic example of this is found in Surat al-Fatiha, Verse $5$: $\text{إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ}$ (Iyyaka na'budu wa iyyaka nasta'in). When the reciter stops at the end of the verse on the word $\text{نَسْتَعِينُ}$, the Ya ($\text{ي}$) becomes Al-Madd al-'Arid li-Sukun due to the temporary silence of the final letter Nun ($\text{ن}$).