Al-Waqf (الوقف) and Ibtida (الابتداء) are essential Tajweed rules governing where to pause (stop) and begin (start) while reciting the Quran. Proper application ensures accurate meaning delivery and reflects deep respect for Allah’s words.
This guide covers:
✔ Types of Waqf (pauses) in the Quran
✔ Rules of Ibtida (proper starting points)
✔ Practical examples from Surahs
✔ Common mistakes & how to avoid them
Why Are Waqf and Ibtida Important?
The Prophet ﷺ emphasized:
“Beautify the Quran with your voices.” (Abu Dawud)
Key Benefits of Proper Waqf and Ibtida:
1-Prevents misrepresentation of meanings
2-Enhances fluency and reflection (tadabbur)
3-Preserves the Quran’s linguistic precision
Quran by Call academy offers online classes of
1-Quran ( Reading & Memorization )
4- Arabic ( speaking & writing & Reading
Book Free Trail class
Types of Waqf (Pauses) in the Quran
1. Waqf Lazim (Obligatory Stop) – م
-
Must pause to avoid altering meaning.
-
Example:
-
“إِنَّمَا يَخْشَى اللَّهَ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ الْعُلَمَاءُۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ غَفُورٌ” (Fatir 35:28)
-
Stop at “العلماءُ” to complete the sentence.
-
2. Waqf Mamnu’ (Forbidden Stop) – لا
-
Never stop here—it distorts meaning.
-
Example:
-
“وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا الزِّنَاۖ إِنَّهُ كَانَ فَاحِشَةً” (Al-Isra 17:32)
-
Never pause after “الزنا” (implies encouraging sin!).
-
3. Waqf Ja’iz (Permissible Stop) – ج
-
Optional pause, but meaning remains intact.
-
Example:
-
“الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِۙ مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ” (Al-Fatihah 1:3-4)
-
4. Waqf Hasan (Good Stop) – صلي / قلي
-
Preferred pause, but continuing is better.
-
Example:
-
“وَإِذَا قُرِئَ الْقُرْآنُ فَاسْتَمِعُوا لَهُ وَأَنصِتُوا لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ” (Al-A’raf 7:204)
-
Rules of Ibtida (Starting After a Pause)
Starting incorrectly can change meanings drastically.
1. Starting with a Complete Meaning
-
Do: Begin at a point that forms a full idea.
-
“قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ” (Al-Ikhlas 112:1)
-
-
Avoid: Starting mid-phrase (e.g., “أَحَدٌ اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ”).
2. Avoiding Abrupt Starts
-
Use Istia’dha (أعوذ بالله) & Basmala (بسم الله) when restarting.
3. Matching Grammar & Context
-
Incorrect: Starting at “وَالضُّحَىٰ وَاللَّيْلِ إِذَا سَجَىٰ” (Ad-Duha 93:1-2) with “إِذَا سَجَىٰ” alone.
-
Correct: Start from the beginning for full context.
Common Mistakes in Waqf and Ibtida
| Mistake | Correction |
|---|---|
| Stopping at “إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ” (Al-Fatihah 1:5) | Continue to “وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ” |
| Starting mid-verse “غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ” without context | Begin from “صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ” |
| Pausing at “مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ” (Al-Fatihah 1:4) | Better to continue to next verse |
How to Practice Waqf and Ibtida
-
Learn from a Qualified Teacher (Tajweed courses).
-
Use Mushaf with Stop Signs (Color-coded Tajweed Quran).
-
Listen to Qaris (e.g., Sheikh Al-Hussary, Sudais).
-
Record & Review your recitation.