Madd Rules In Tajweed: Madd Letters, Charts, And Types

In Tajweed, the Arabic term “Madd” refers to the elongation or prolongation of vowel sounds in specific circumstances. This practice is essential in the correct recitation of the Quran. Madd involves lengthening the sound of a vowel due to the presence of certain letters or harakat (vowel marks). It adds beauty and rhythm to the recitation, ensuring clarity and precision. The rules of Madd are intricate and vary based on the context and surrounding letters, playing a vital role in Tajweed.

Learn the types of Madd (Tabee’ee, Badal, Ewadd, ‘Ared Li- Ssukoon, Al- Leen. Wajeb Muttasil, Ja’ez Munfasil, Lazem) in Details.

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Madd Letters in Arabic

In Arabic Tajweed, the concept of Madd involves prolonging vowel sounds, executed through specific letters, categorized into Leen and Huroof Maddiyyah:

1. Leen Letters:

   • Yaa Saakin (ي): Prolongs the ‘a’ sound when preceded by a Fatha, adding a soft and elongated ‘ai’ sound.
   • Waaoo Saakin (و): Creates a prolonged ‘au’ sound when following a Fatha, blending the sounds smoothly.

2. Huroof Maddiyyah:

   • Alif Saakin (ا): Stretches the ‘a’ sound after a Fatha, producing a clear and extended ‘aa’ sound.
   • Waaoo Saakin (و): Used after a Dammah, it elongates the ‘u’ sound, resulting in a deeper ‘uu’ sound.
   • Yaa Saakin (ي): Follows a Kasrah, lengthening the ‘i’ sound to a longer ‘ii’.

What are the Madd rules in Quranic recitation?

In Tajweed, there are types of Madd:

1. 1. Madd Tabee’ee: Natural prolongation of vowels, typically extending for two counts.
   2. Madd Al-Badal: Substitution elongation, often involving a substituted Alif.
   3. Madd Ewadd: An addition that prolongs a vowel due to only tanween fatha on the last letter of the word.
   4. Madd ‘Aarid Lis Sukoon: Temporary prolongation caused by stopping at a word.
   5. Madd Al-Leen: Soft elongation associated with Waw and Ya.
   6. Madd Wajib Muttasil: Mandatory connected prolongation involving a Hamza within the same word.
   7. Madd Munfasil: Permissible detached prolongation with Hamza in the following word.
   8. Madd Lazim: Compulsory elongation under specific conditions.
   9. Madd Tamkeen: This is an elongation that occurs when a ‘yaa’ with a ‘shaddah’ and a ‘kasr’ is followed by a ‘yaa saakinah’ within the same word, leading to a specific and unique prolongation.

Let’s Get started with the first type of Maad:

1. Madd Tabee’ee (Natural Maad) 

Madd Tabee’ee, or Natural Madd, is a fundamental concept in Tajweed. It involves the natural elongation of vowel sounds in Arabic letters when followed by a Madd letter (Alif, Waw, or Ya). This elongation typically extends the sound for two Harakat (beats or units of time). Madd Tabee’ee is considered the simplest form of Madd and is an essential aspect of proper Quranic recitation, adding melody and clarity to the spoken word.

Examples of Madd Tabee’ee: 

2. Madd Al- Badal (Due to Hamzah)

Madd Al-Badal is a Tajweed rule that involves elongation due to the presence of a Hamzah (ء) in certain circumstances. This rule is applied when a word originally starts with a Hamzah (ء), but the Hamzah is omitted, and the preceding vowel sound is elongated to compensate for its absence. Madd Al-Badal ensures proper Quranic recitation by maintaining the rhythm and flow of the verse.

Maad Al- Badal is prolonged for 2 beats. 

Examples of Madd Al-Badal: 

3. Madd Ewadd (Compensation Madd)

Madd Ewad, also known as Compensation Madd, is a Tajweed rule that involves the elongation of a vowel sound to compensate for the absence of a Hamzah (ء) or a Sukoon (a diacritic sign indicating the absence of a vowel) on the letter following it. This rule ensures that the pronunciation flows smoothly and melodically in Quranic recitation.

Maad Ewadd is prolonged for 2 beats. 

Examples of  Madd Ewadd: 

4. Madd ‘Ared Li- Ssukoon

Madd A’red Li-Sskoon is one of the types of madd that can be defined as “temporary Madd for stopping”. If the Maad Tabee’ee (Natural Maad in the letters ا or و or ي) is followed by a letter at the end of a word, which has been made sakin temporary because the reader has to stop at the word, the reader should prolong the Madd Tabee’ee to be Madd ‘Ared Li Ssukoon. 

Maad A’red Li Ssukoon is prolonged for 2, 4, or 6 beats. 

(Note: Madd A’red Li- Sskoon only exists if the reader stops on that word. If the reader doesn’t stop on it, it should be considered as a Madd Tabee’ee ‘Natural Madd’ 2 beats).

Examples of Madd ‘Ared Li-Ssukoon:

5. Madd Al-Leen (the Madd of Easiness)

Madd Al-Leen, also known as the Madd of Easiness, is a Tajweed rule that involves a softer and more relaxed elongation of vowel sounds. This rule is applied when a Hamzah (ء) or a Madd letter (Alif, Waw, or Ya) appears at the end of a word or within a word but is followed by a Sukoon (a diacritic sign indicating the absence of a vowel) and then a letter with a vowel sound.

In Madd Al-Leen, the elongation is not as pronounced as in other Madd rules. It is more gentle and subtle, providing ease in pronunciation without the usual prolongation associated with Madd. This rule contributes to the melodious and effortless recitation of the Quran, ensuring that the flow of the words remains smooth and harmonious.

The reader, in this case, should prolong the Leen letter. He can prolong it by 2, 4, or 6 beats. 

Examples Madd Al- Leen: 

6. Madd Wajeb Muttasil (Due to Hamzah)

Madd Wajeb Muttasil is a Tajweed rule that involves mandatory elongation due to the presence of a Hamzah (ء) that is connected to the letter preceding it within the same word. This rule dictates that the vowel sound preceding the Hamzah must be prolonged for a specific duration, typically four to five beats or units of time.

Madd Wajeb Muttasil is essential for maintaining the correct pronunciation, rhythm, and flow of Quranic verses. It ensures that the Hamzah is pronounced clearly and that the recitation adheres to the rules of Tajweed. This rule is particularly important in cases where a Hamzah is connected to the letter before it, as it guides the reciter in correctly pronouncing these elements within the word.

If a Madd letter (ا or ي or و ) is followed by a Hamzah (ء) which is present in the same word, the reader should prolong it for 4-5 beats. 

Madd muttasil examples: 

7. Madd Ja’ez Munfasil

Madd Ja’ez Munfasil is a Tajweed rule that involves permissible elongation due to the presence of a Hamzah (ء) that is connected to the letter preceding it  in the next  word.

the reader should prolong the Madd letter2- 4-5 beats.

Examples of Madd Ja’ez Munfasil: 

8. Madd Lazem (necessary prolongation)

Madd Lazem, also known as Necessary Prolongation, is a Tajweed rule that involves the obligatory elongation of a vowel sound in specific words or letters. This elongation is required by the rules of Tajweed and is not subject to variation or choice by the reciter. Madd Lazem ensures that certain words or letters are pronounced with a fixed and extended duration.

Madd Lazem has two main types and each type of them has another 2 types. So the overall types of Madd Lazem are 4 types of necessary prolongation.

Madd Lazem Chart

The Chart of the types of Maad Lazem

The Madd Lazem Chart categorizes the types of Madd Lazem, which are essential for precise Quranic recitation. Madd Lazem can occur in two forms: Madd Lazem Kalimee (occurring in a word) and Madd Lazem Harfee (occurring in a letter).

1. Madd Lazem Kalimee Muthaqqal

Madd Lazem Kalimee Muthaqqal occurs when a Madd letter is followed by a Mushaddad letter, a letter with Shaddah (doubling). In this case, the reader must prolong the Madd letter for a duration of 6 beats.

Examples of Madd Lazem Kalimee Muthaqqal:

2. Madd Lazem Kalimee Mukhafaf

Madd Lazem Kalimee Mukhafaf occurs when a Madd letter is followed by a sakin (non-vowel) letter within the same word. In this case, the reader must prolong the Madd letter for 6 beats.

Example of Madd Lazem Kalimee Mukhafaf:

3. Madd Lazem Harfee Muthaqqal

Madd Lazem Harfee Muthaqqal occurs when a Madd letter is followed by a Mushaddad letter. In this case, the reader must prolong the Madd letter for 6 beats.

Examples of Madd Lazem Harfee Muthaqqal:

4. Madd Lazem Harfee Mukhafaf

Madd Lazem Harfee Mukhafaf occurs when a Madd letter is followed by a sakin letter, and both are present within the same word. In this case, the reader must prolong the Madd letter for 6 beats.

Examples of Madd Lazem Harfee Mukhafaf: