Reciting the Qur’an with proper Tajweed is not just about melody, it’s about preserving the divine message with precision. Among the most important Tajweed rules is Ikhfaa Haqiqi, which directly impacts how Muslims pronounce Noon Sakinah and Tanween. Mastering this rule elevates recitation, ensuring both accuracy and spiritual depth.
The Four Rules of Noon Sakinah and Tanween
There are four main rules governing Noon Sakinah and Tanween:
1. Izhar Halqi (إظهار حلقي) – clear pronunciation.
2. Idgham (إدغام) – merging, with or without ghunna.
3. Ikhfaa Haqiqi (إخفاء حقيقي) – hiding with nasal sound.
4. Iqlab (إقلاب) – conversion into another sound.
Ikhfaa Haqiqi is considered the middle ground between Izhar and Idgham.
Meaning of Ikhfaa:
Ikhfaa means to hide the sound of some letters but not cancel these letters, plus making Ghunaa ( Nasal sound which comes out of the Gill.
Ikhfaa Haqiqi letters :(حروف الإخفاء الحقيقي)
Ikhfaa letters are all letters other than letters of Izhaar ( ء , هـ , ع , ح, غ , خ ), lqlaab (ب) or ldghaam ( ي , ن , م , و ), about fifteen letters for Ikhfaa Haqiqi. This rule can be happen in one word like ( مَنصُوراَ )or two words like ( مِن صِيامٍ ).
Method of Ikhfaa pronunciation:
If any letter other than the letters of Izhaar, lqlaab or ldghaam follows Noon Saakinah or Tanween, the reader shall hide the Noon Saakinah or Tanween and make ( Ghunnah of two beats or seconds).
The correct way to pronounce the lkhfaa is to place your tongue at the point of articulation of the lkhfaa letter and pronounce the Ghunnah of two beats .
The rule of Ikhfaa Haqiqi in brief:
Noon sakinah or Tanween + Ikhfaa letter —> You should apply Ikhfaa + ghunna (for 2 seconds).
Types of Gunnah for Ikhfaa:
Ikhfaa Haqiqi Gunnah is classified into two types:
1- heavy ghunna.
2-light ghunna.
If the Noon Saakinah or Tanween is followed by a heavy letter ( ص , ض , ط , ظ , ق ) the sound of Ghunnah should also be heavy. If the Noon Saakin or Tanween is followed by a light letter, the sound of Ghunnah should also be light.
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Examples of Ikhfaa Haqiqi:
( من قبل )
(مِنْ سِجِّيلٍ)
( سِجِّيلٍ* فَجَعَلَهُمْ)
(كُتُبٌ قَيِّمَةٌ)
What is the difference between Ikhfaa Haqiqi and Ikhfaa shafawi?
Ikhfaa shafawi rule is related to Meem sakinah ( Meem sakinah + baa letter ب )
Ikhfa Haqiqi rule is related to Noon sakinah and Tanween when followed by one of fifteen letters which mentioned above.