Meem Saakin rules in Tajweed
Learning Tajweed is an essential part of reciting the Qur’an correctly. It not only helps Muslims pronounce Arabic words as they were revealed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ but also protects the reciter from Lahn (mistakes in recitation) and beautifies the voice in Qur’an recitation.
One of the important Tajweed rules that learners often come across is Meem Saakin. In this article, we will explain its meaning, the three rules of Meem Saakin, along with Quranic examples and simple exercises to help you practice.
What is Meem Saakin?
Meem Saakin (مِيم ساكنة) refers to the letter Meem (م) with a Sukoon ( ْ ) sign, meaning it carries no vowel (Harakah). It can occur in nouns, verbs, or particles and may come in the middle or at the end of a word.
Cases that are not Meem Saakin:
- A Meem with a Harakah (e.g., أَقَامُوا)
- A Meem with a Shadda (e.g., أُمَّهُ)
- A vowel Meem resulting from the meeting of two consonants (e.g., مَنِ الَّذِي)
- A temporary Sukoon due to pausing at the end of recitation.
Pronunciation tip: Meem Saakin is pronounced by pressing the two lips together.
Rules of Meem Saakin
The rules of Meem Saakin are divided into three categories:
- Idgham Shafawi (إدغام شفوي)
- Ikhfa Shafawi (إخفاء شفوي)
- Izhar Shafawi (إظهار شفوي)
Let’s go through each of them in detail.
1. Idgham Shafawi
- Occurs when a Meem Saakin is followed by another Meem (م).
- The two Meems merge, forming a Meem Mushaddadah with Ghunna (a nasal sound) prolonged for two counts.
- Also called Idgham Mithlain Sagheer, because both letters share the same articulation point.
Quran Examples:
- الَّذِي أَطْعَمَهُم مِّن جُوعٍ (Quraysh 4)
- إِنَّهَا عَلَيْهِم مُّؤْصَدَةٌ (Al-Humazah 8)
- وَاللَّهُ مِن وَرَائِهِم مُّحِيطٌ (Al-Buruj 20)
2. Ikhfa Shafawi
- Occurs when Meem Saakin is followed by the letter Baa (ب).
- The reciter leaves a slight gap between the lips, producing Ghunna for two counts.
- This happens because ب and م share a close articulation point, making it difficult to pronounce them separately.
Quran Examples:
- تَرْمِيهِم بِحِجَارَةٍ (Al-Fil 4)
- لَسْتَ عَلَيْهِم بِمُسَيْطِرٍ (Al-Ghashiyah 22)
- فَبَشِّرْهُم بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ (Al-Inshiqaq 24)
3. Izhar Shafawi
- Means to clearly pronounce the Meem Saakin without Ghunna.
- Applies when Meem Saakin is followed by any letter except Baa (ب) and Meem (م).
- Special attention is needed when followed by Waw (و) and Fa (ف), as they are close in articulation to Meem.
Quran Examples:
- فَسُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ حِينَ تُمْسُونَ (Ar-Rum 17)
- يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ (Al-Baqarah 183)
- وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ (Al-Ankabut 7)
Exercises on Meem Saakin Rules
Now it’s your turn to practice. Read the verses below and identify which rule of Meem Saakin applies in each case:
- نُسَارِعُ لَهُمْ فِي الْخَيْرَاتِ (Al-Mu’minun 56) → Ikhfa
- وَلَكُم مَّا كَسَبْتُمْ (Al-Baqarah 134) → Idgham
- فَاسْتَفْتِهِمْ أَهُمْ (As-Saffat 11) → Izhar
- مَتَاعًا لَكُمْ وَلِأَنْعَامِكُمْ (Abasa 32) → Izhar
- إِنَّ هَٰذَا كَانَ لَكُمْ جَزَآءً وَكَانَ سَعْيُكُم مَّشْكُورًا (Al-Insan 22) → Idgham
FAQs on Meem Saakin Rules
1. Why is Meem Saakin important in Tajweed?
Meem Saakin rules ensure correct articulation and prevent mistakes in recitation. By applying them, a reciter follows the authentic way the Qur’an was revealed.
2. What is the difference between Ikhfa Shafawi and Idgham Shafawi?
- Ikhfa Shafawi occurs when Meem Saakin is followed by Baa (ب), producing a nasal sound without full clarity.
- Idgham Shafawi occurs when Meem Saakin is followed by another Meem (م), merging the two into one with Ghunna.
3. What letters cause Izhar Shafawi?
Izhar Shafawi applies when Meem Saakin is followed by all letters of the Arabic alphabet except Meem and Baa.
4. How can I practice Meem Saakin rules?
The best way is to listen to skilled reciters, repeat after them, and use Tajweed exercises with highlighted examples from the Qur’an.
5. Are Meem Saakin rules the same in Hafs and other Qira’at?
Yes, the rules are consistent in Hafs (the most common Qira’ah). In some rare Qira’at, slight variations may exist, but the three categories remain the same.
Conclusion
The rules of Meem Saakin – Idgham Shafawi, Ikhfa Shafawi, and Izhar Shafawi – are simple yet crucial for correct Qur’an recitation. By practicing these rules with Quran examples and listening to skilled reciters, you can improve your Tajweed and recite the Qur’an as it was revealed.
If you are learning Tajweed, make sure to also read about Noon Saakin and Tanween rules, Idgham, Iqlab, and Qalqalah to strengthen your recitation further.
