Mastering Noon Sakinah and Tanween rules is essential for anyone seeking accurate Quranic recitation. These rules shape the clarity, beauty, and correctness of pronunciation, making them a foundational part of tajweed. Although the topic may seem technical at first, understanding the logic behind each rule makes application much easier. This article explains the rules in a simple, structured way and answers the most common questions learners often ask.
What is Noon Sakinah?
Noon Sakinah is a noon with a sukoon, pronounced clearly and found in the middle or end of a word. It is a fixed letter in the original structure of the word.
Noon Sakinah comes into two shapes :
1- A Noon without Harakah .
2- A Noon with a Sukoon sign above it.
What is shape of sukoon ?
Sukoon shape is small head of letter (ح) like above picture.
What is Tanween ?
Tanween is an additional noon sound that appears at the end of nouns. It is pronounced but not written as a separate letter. It comes in three forms: tanween of fath, tanween of damm, and tanween of kasr.Tanween is a Noon Sakinah which comes at the end of nouns, not located at the beginning or middle of the word.
There are 3 shapes of Tanween, it is a double of same Harakah (Two fataha نٓ or two kasarah نٍ or two damma نٌ ).
in this video one of our teachers explains sakin Noon and Tanween rules in details.
what are differences between sakin Noon and Tanween?
1 – Tanween is pronounced like Noon sakinah but not written as a letter.
2 – Tanween is a symbol on the last letter in the word while Noon Sakinah is a letter .
The Four Rules of Noon Sakinah and Tanween
1. Izhar (Clear Pronunciation)
Izhar means pronouncing the noon sound clearly without merging or hiding it. It occurs when Noon Sakinah or Tanween is followed by one of the six throat letters: hamzah, ha, ayn, ha, ghayn, kha. Example: min amana, sami’un halim.
2. Idgham (Merging)
Idgham means merging the noon sound into the following letter so that the two letters become one. It occurs with the letters of the word yarmaloon. Idgham is divided into two types:
a- Idgham with Ghunnah
Occurs with the letters ya, noon, meem, and waw. The sound is merged with a nasal tone. Example: min yaqul.
b- Idgham without Ghunnah
Occurs with the letters lam and ra. The sound is merged without nasalization. Example: qul rabbi.
3. Iqlab (Conversion)
Iqlab means converting the noon sound into a meem when followed by the letter ba. The meem is pronounced with ghunnah. Example: sami’un basir.
4. Ikhfa (Concealment)
Ikhfa is a sound between clear pronunciation and merging. It occurs when Noon Sakinah or Tanween is followed by any of the fifteen letters of ikhfa. The sound is concealed and accompanied by ghunnah. Example: min thamarat, alimam khabiran.
Noon Saakin and Tanween Izhar Examples
Noon Saakin (نْ) and Tanween represent specific Arabic pronunciation rules. Here are some examples of Izhar, where Noon Saakin and Tanween are pronounced clearly:
Izhar with Noon Saakin:
- “مِنْ هَادٍ” (min haadin) – “From this guide.”
- “سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ” (samee’un aleemun) – “All-Hearing, All-Knowing.”
Noon Saakin Examples in the Quran
The Quran provides numerous instances of Noon Saakin. Let’s explore a few:
- “فَمَن يَعْمَلْ شَيْئًا نُكِرًا” (faman ya’mal shay’an nukiran) – “So whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it.”
- “غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ مِّن رَّبِّكَ” (ghafoorun raheemun min rabbika) – “Forgiving, Merciful is your Lord.”
Tanween Examples in the Quran
Tanween adds an “n” sound to the end of a word. Here are some examples:
- “مَنصُورًا” (mansooran) – “Assisted.”
- “مَاءً ثَجَّاجًا” (ma’an thajjaajan) – “Water gushing forth.”
Noon Saakin Letters
Noon Saakin occurs when a Noon letter (ن) has a Sukoon (Jazm). These letters include: أ (alif), ح (ha), خ (kha), ع (ain), غ (ghain), and هـ (haa).
Quiz: Test Your Knowledge!
Let’s see how well you’ve grasped the rules:
1- What is the definition of Tanween?
2- Which rule applies when Noon Saakin or Tanween is followed by the letters ي (yaa), ر (raa), م (meem), ل (laam), or و (waaw)?
3- How would you pronounce the word “غفورٌ رَّحيم” (ghafoorun raheem)?
Conclusion
Understanding the rules of Noon Sakinah and Tanween is a key step toward mastering tajweed. With consistent practice, these rules become natural and automatic during recitation. The more familiar you become with the letters and their effects on pronunciation, the more fluent and confident your reading will be.
Common Questions About Noon Sakinah and Tanween
Are the rules for Noon Sakinah and Tanween the same?
Yes. The rules apply equally to both. The only difference is that Noon Sakinah is an original letter, while Tanween is an added sound.
Why does Idgham not occur within a single word?
Idgham of Noon Sakinah and Tanween applies only when two separate words meet. If the noon is part of the same word, the rule does not apply. For example, in the word dunya, the noon is not merged.
When should I use ghunnah?
Ghunnah is used in three cases: idgham with ghunnah, ikhfa, and iqlab. It is not used in izhar or idgham without ghunnah.
How can I distinguish between ikhfa and izhar?
If the letter after Noon Sakinah or Tanween is one of the throat letters, the rule is izhar. If it is one of the fifteen ikhfa letters, the sound is concealed with ghunnah.
What makes iqlab different from ikhfa?
Iqlab occurs only with the letter ba and involves changing the noon sound to a meem. Ikhfa involves concealment without changing the sound to another letter.