Madd Lazim (المد اللازم) – Mandatory Prolongation in Tajweed
Definition:
Madd Lazim occurs when a Madd letter (ا، و، ي) is followed by a permanently sukunated letter (حرف ساكن سكونًا لازمًا وصلاً ووقفًا) in the same word or at the beginning of a word. It must be prolonged exactly 6 harakah (beats).
Types of Madd Lazim
Madd Lazim is divided into two main categories, each with two subcategories:
1. Madd Lazim Kalimi (المد اللازم الكلمي) – Word-Based Madd
• Occurs in a single word when a Madd letter is followed by a letter with sukun.
• Two types:
• Muthaqqal (Heavy) – مثقل
• Mukhaffaf (Light) – مخفف
2. Madd Lazim Harfi (المد اللازم الحرفي) – Letter-Based Madd
• Found in certain Qur’anic initials (حروف مقطعة) at the beginning of some Surahs.
• Two types:
• Muthaqqal (Heavy) – مثقل
• Mukhaffaf (Light) – مخفف
1. Madd Lazim Kalimi (Word-Based Madd)
This occurs in a word when a Madd letter is followed by a letter with a permanent sukun.
A) Madd Lazim Kalimi Muthaqqal (مثقل – Heavy)
• The sukunated letter is merged (with Idgham) into the next letter, making pronunciation heavier.
• Example:
• الضَّالِّينَ (Aḍ-ḍāllīn) – The letter ض has a Madd before لام مشددة (ّ ), which is merged into the next letter, making it heavy.
• الحَاقَّة (Al-Ḥāqqah)
Rule: Must be prolonged 6 harakah.
B) Madd Lazim Kalimi Mukhaffaf (مخفف – Light)
• The sukunated letter is not merged into the next letter.
• Rare in the Qur’an (Example: ءالْآنَ in Surah Yunus 10:51).
Rule: Must be prolonged 6 harakah.
2. Madd Lazim Harfi (Letter-Based Madd)
This occurs in the disjointed letters (حروف مقطعة) at the beginning of some Surahs.
A) Madd Lazim Harfi Muthaqqal (مثقل – Heavy)
• A Madd letter is followed by a sukunated letter, and the next letter has Idgham (merging).
• Example:
• الم (Alif-Lam-Meem) → The ميم (Mīm) is prolonged because it has a Madd before a sukunated ل (Lam).
Rule: Must be prolonged 6 harakah.
B) Madd Lazim Harfi Mukhaffaf (مخفف – Light)
• A Madd letter is followed by a sukunated letter, but there is no Idgham (merging).
• Example: The letter “ص” in صٓ (Saad) in Surah Saad (38:1).
Rule: Must be prolonged 6 harakah.
Summary of Madd Lazim Rules
Type Example Rule
Madd Lazim Kalimi Muthaqqal (Word-Based Heavy) الضَّالِّينَ 6 harakah (Idgham present)
Madd Lazim Kalimi Mukhaffaf (Word-Based Light) ءالآنَ 6 harakah (No Idgham)
Madd Lazim Harfi Muthaqqal (Letter-Based Heavy) الم 6 harakah (Idgham present)
Madd Lazim Harfi Mukhaffaf (Letter-Based Light) صٓ 6 harakah (No Idgham)
Key Notes
• Madd Lazim is the longest type of Madd and must always be prolonged for 6 harakah.
• It appears in both words and disjointed letters (حروف مقطعة) at the beginning of Surahs.
• Common words with Madd Lazim Kalimi Muthaqqal:
• الضَّالِّينَ (Aḍ-ḍāllīn)
• الحَاقَّة (Al-Ḥāqqah)
• Common letters with Madd Lazim Harfi:
• الم (Alif-Lam-Meem)
• طسم (Taa-Seen-Meem)
• صٓ (Saad)
Conclusion
Madd Lazim is an obligatory Tajweed rule that must be observed carefully in Qur’anic recitation. Mastering it ensures the correct pronunciation and enhances the beauty of the Qur’an’s rhythmic flow.
