Makhraj Ash-Shafatan: A Simple Guide to Pronounce the Lip Letters

Part of what highlights the beauty of recitation lies in the Makhraj Ash-Shafatan (the two lips). They are the visible, open gateway where the sounds of Tajweed culminate, and mastering their articulation gives each letter its precise and clear tone.

The Makhraj Ash-Shafatan constitute one of the five major general articulation points (Makharij) in Tajweed, encompassing four primary letters known as the labial letters: Fa, Ba, Meem, and the non-madd Waw.

Although these letters may appear easy, failing to control the mechanism of closure or rounding of the lips can affect sound quality or cause undesirable muscular tension.

What you will learn in this article:

1.Deconstructing the two sub-articulation points of the lips.

2.The mechanism of pronouncing each of the four letters and the role of the teeth and nose (Ghunna).

3. The crucial distinction between the Madd Waw (Jawfiyya – from the empty space) and the non-Madd Waw (Shafawiyya – labial).

4.Common pronunciation mistakes and how to fix them with practical exercises.

What is Makhraj Ash-Shafatan? Understanding the Lip Articulation Points

• Linguistically: the lips are the visible, external part of the vocal apparatus.
• Technically in Tajweed: Makhraj Ash-Shafatan is one of the five major general articulation points (Makharij), dedicated to producing sounds that depend entirely or partially on the movement of the lips.
• The four labial letters emerging from this Makhraj are: Fa, Ba, Meem, and the non-madd Waw.
• These letters are called labial (Shafawiyya) in reference to their main articulation point, the lips.
• The lips’ Makhraj is a realized point (Makhraj Muhaqqaq), meaning it depends on a tangible and visible point of collision or contact, unlike an estimated point (Muqaddar) such as Al-Jawf.

The two lips do not function as a single block; rather, the area is divided into two sub-articulation points:

1- The inner part of the lower lip with the edges of the upper incisors, which is specific to the letter Fa.

2- Between the two lips together, which is specific to Ba, Meem, and the non-madd Waw.

The 4 Core Letters of the Lips: Fa, Ba, Meem, and Waw Explained

1. The Letter Fa (ف):

It is articulated from the inner part of the lower lip with the edges of the upper incisors.

Its pronunciation method is through a gentle and light touch without excessive pressure, allowing the breath and sound to flow, reflecting its characteristics of Hams (breathiness) and Rakhawa (softness).

2. The Letter Ba (ب):

Its location is between the two lips together.

It is pronounced through a firm and dry closure and contact of the two lips with the trapping of sound and breath, followed by a quick release to reveal the sound of Qalqala if it is sakinah, such as: أَبْ.

3. The Letter Meem (م):

Its location is between the two lips together and the nasal cavity (Al-Khayshoom).

It is pronounced through a light closure of the lips to close the mouth, while emitting the complementary nasal part represented by Ghunna (nasalization).

4. The Non-Madd Waw (و):

It is located between the two lips together.

Its pronunciation method is through rounding and joining the lips forward, leaving a small central opening for the sound to flow through, such as: وَ / وِ / وُ / أَوْ, ensuring the lips are not completely closed.

 Inside the Two Sub-Exits: Between the Lips vs. Bottom Lip and Upper Incisors

The two lips form a working area containing two precise sub-articulation points, and distinguishing between them prevents overlap or distortion in pronouncing the four letters.

• The first sub-articulation point: is the inner part of the lower lip with the upper incisors.

The lower lip acts as a base, and the edges of the upper incisors touch its inner wet part (the belly of the lip).

It is a dedicated Makhraj from which only one letter emerges, which is the letter Fa.

Avoid placing the teeth on the outer part of the lip or applying excessive pressure that obstructs the natural airflow.

• The second sub-articulation point: between the two lips together.

The upper and lower lips work together as one team without direct involvement of the teeth.

1- State of complete closure: The letters emerging from this Makhraj are Ba and Meem.

2- State of rounding with a central opening: The non-madd Waw, by rounding the lips forward in a circular shape without closing them.

Common Mistakes in Shafawi Letters: How to Avoid Tension and Mispronunciation

In Tajweed, the letters for the lips known as Al-Shafatan letters have many common mistakes you should avoid:

The first common error is confusing the Jawfi Waw (from Al-Jawf) with the Shafawi Waw (from the lips):

This occurs when a voweled or Leen Waw is treated as a Madd Waw prolonged for two counts, or vice versa, which disrupts the rhythm.

The fix is to check the vowel: If the Waw carries Fathah, Kasrah, or is Saakinah after Fathah, such as in (أَوْ، وَلَدَ), it is a Shafawi Waw (Leen or voweled). If it is Saakinah, preceded by Dammah and free from any vowel, it is a Madd Waw (Jawfi) prolonged for two Harakah.

The second error is excessive pressure on the letter Fa:

This happens when the upper incisors press too hard on the lower lip or bite it, turning the soft Rakhw Fa into a Shadid-like sound and causing muscle tension.

The solution is to keep only a light, gentle touch between the tips of the upper incisors and the inner part of the lower lip (the belly of the lip), allowing the air to flow freely, which achieves Hams and Rakhawah.

The third common error is a deficiency of Ghunnah in Meem and a blocked sound in Ba:

This is caused by closing the lips too abruptly and forcefully for Meem and Ba, without giving Meem its full Ghunnah right, or without producing a clear Qalqalah for a Saakinah Ba.

We avoid this by giving Meem its proper timing through the nasal passage (Al-Khayshum), and by producing a quick, crisp Qalqalah bounce for the Saakin Ba without adding a Kasrah or prolonging it.

And to avoid all of these common mistakes you need to start a course with our academy.

Conclusion 

Mastering Makhraj Ash-Shafatan (The Two Lips) is a fundamental gateway to mastering the recitation of the Holy Quran. Properly controlling the lips and mastering the four letters of Makhraj Ash-Shafatan is crucial for giving your recitation its beauty, free from muscle tension and common errors.

While understanding the theoretical rules is the first step in the learning journey, the true secret to mastery lies in daily practice and direct application with a specialized teacher.

Start your educational journey in Tajweed now by visiting our website [http://Quranbycall.com] to explore more interactive learning activities and courses specially designed to help non-Arabic speakers read the Holy Quran with complete confidence and ease.

FAQs

1. What is Makharij in Tajweed and what are the 5 main Makharij (Al-Makharij Al-Ammah)?

Definition: Linguistically, Makharij is the plural of Makhraj, meaning the place of exit. Technically in Tajweed, it is the specific point where the sound of articulation stops, distinguishing one letter from another.

The 5 Main Makharij:

1. Al-Jawf (The Oral Cavity): The empty space extending through the throat and mouth. The 3 Madd letters originate from it: Alif, Waw Maddiyah, and Ya Maddiyah.
2. Al-Halq (The Throat): The throat area. 6 letters originate from it: Hamzah, Ha, Ayn, Ha, Ghayn, Kha (ء، هـ، ع، ح، غ، خ).
3. Al-Lisan (The Tongue): The largest of the main Makharij. 18 letters originate from it, distributed across 10 specific sub-Makharij.
4. Ash-Shafatan (The Two Lips): 4 letters originate from it: Fa, Ba, Meem, and Waw (non-Maddiyah).
5. Al-Khayshum (The Nasal Cavity): The cavity of the nose. The sound of Ghunnah originates from it, accompanying Noon and Meem.

2. What is Makhraj Ash-Shafatan and which letters originate from it?

Makhraj Ash-Shafatan is one of the 5 main Makharij in Tajweed. It is considered a Muhaqqaq (precise) Makhraj that depends on the contact or meeting of visible articulators.

It produces 4 letters:

1. Fa (ف): From the inner part (belly) of the lower lip with the edges of the upper incisors.
2. Ba (ب): By completely closing both lips together.
3. Meem (م): By closing both lips together, accompanied by Ghunnah from Al-Khayshum.
4. Waw Ghayr Maddiyah: By rounding both lips forward with a small central opening, without complete closure.

3. What are the most common mistakes when pronouncing the Shafawi letters Fa, Ba, Meem, and Waw?

Mistakes in Fa: Applying excessive pressure or biting the lower lip with the teeth, which turns the soft letter Fa (Rakhw) into a hard, harsh sound.

Mistakes in Ba and Meem: Closing the lips too quickly and forcefully without giving Meem its proper right of Ghunnah, or pronouncing the Saakinah Ba without a clear Qalqalah, or adding a Kasrah to it.

Mistakes in Waw Ghayr Maddiyah: Not rounding the lips in a proper circular shape, which causes it to be pronounced from inside the mouth and lose its Arabic identity, or confusing it with the Jawfi Maddiyah Waw.

Mixing the types of Waw: Incorrectly prolonging a voweled Waw or a Leen Shafawi Waw for two Harakah, as if it were a Jawfi Maddiyah Waw.

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