Madd (المد) means elongation — holding a vowel sound for a specific number of counts (harakat). Different types of Madd have different lengths. Applying correct Madd lengths is essential for proper Quran recitation and affects the meaning and beauty of each verse.

The Major Madd Rules

Madd Asli (Natural Madd) — 2 counts

The basic Madd — a long vowel letter (ا و ي) that is not followed by a hamza or sukoon. Hold for exactly 2 counts.

Long vowel (ا و ي) with no hamza or sukoon after it

ا و ي

Madd Asli is also called Madd Tabii (natural). Every reciter must hold it for 2 counts — no more, no less.

قَالَ

Qaala

Alif Madd — 2 counts — he said

يَقُولُ

Yaqoolu

Waw Madd — 2 counts — he says

فِي

Fee

Ya Madd — 2 counts — in

كِتَابٌ

Kitaabun

Alif Madd — 2 counts — book

نُورٌ

Noorun

Waw Madd — 2 counts — light

Madd Munfasil (Separated Madd) — 4 to 5 counts

A Madd letter at END of a word is followed by a hamza at the START of the NEXT word. Hold for 4 to 5 counts.

Madd letter ends a word AND the next word begins with hamza (أ/إ)

ا و ي

Munfasil = "separated" — the madd letter and the hamza are in DIFFERENT words.

إِنَّا أَعْطَيْنَاكَ

Innaa Aataynaka

نَا then أَ — Munfasil — 4-5 counts

وَفِي أَنْفُسِكُمْ

Wa-fee anfusikum

فِي then أَ — Munfasil

قُوا أَنْفُسَكُمْ

Qoo anfusakum

قُوا then أَ — Munfasil

يَا أَيُّهَا

Yaa Ayyuha

يَا then أَ — Munfasil

بِمَا أُنْزِلَ

Bimaa unzila

مَا then أُ — Munfasil

Madd Muttasil (Connected Madd) — 4 to 5 counts

A Madd letter is followed by a hamza WITHIN THE SAME word. Hold for 4 to 5 counts. Wajib (obligatory) — must be extended.

Madd letter followed by hamza in THE SAME word

ا و ي

Muttasil = "connected" — madd and hamza are in the SAME word. This is wajib (mandatory) — you cannot recite it short.

جَاءَ

Jaaa-a

ا then ء in same word — Muttasil — he came

سُوءَ

Sooo-a

و then ء in same word — evil

شَيْءٌ

Shay-un

Note: this is different — practise with teacher

الْمَلَائِكَةُ

Al-Malaa-ikatu

ا then ء — Muttasil — the angels

السَّمَاءِ

As-Samaa-i

ا then ء — Muttasil — the sky

Madd Lazim (Necessary Madd) — 6 counts

A Madd letter is followed by a letter with sukoon or shadda within the same word. Always hold for 6 counts.

Madd letter followed by sakin letter (sukoon or shadda) in the same word

ا و ي

Lazim = "necessary/compulsory". This is the longest regular Madd — 6 counts. Most commonly found in the opening letters (Muqattaat) of Quran surahs.

الم

Alif-Lam-Meem

Opening letters — Madd Lazim — 6 counts

الر

Alif-Lam-Ra

Opening letters — Madd Lazim

حم

Ha-Meem

Opening letters — Madd Lazim

الصَّاخَّةُ

As-Saakha

ا then خّ (shadda) — 6 counts

دَابَّةٌ

Daabbah

ا then بّ (shadda) — 6 counts

Madd Arid Lissukoon — 2, 4, or 6 counts

A Madd letter is followed by a letter that acquires sukoon when you stop (waqf). Only applies when stopping at the end of a verse.

Madd letter → final letter → you stop on it

ا و ي

Arid = "occurring/presenting". The sukoon is temporary — it only happens because you are stopping. When continuing, no madd is applied.

نَسْتَعِينُ

Nastaeen

When stopping: نَسْتَعِينْ — 2,4, or 6 counts

الْمُسْتَقِيمَ

Al-Mustaqeem

When stopping: مَ gets sukoon — Arid

الرَّحِيمِ

Ar-Raheem

Stopping on مِ — Arid Lissukoon

الْعَالَمِينَ

Al-Aalameen

Stopping on نَ — Arid

الدِّينِ

Ad-Deen

Stopping: نِ → نْ — Arid

Lam Rules — Sun and Moon Letters

Next Chapter

Waqf Rules — Stopping Signs in the Quran

القاعدة النورانية

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Madd Rules — Rules of Elongation

The Major Madd Rules

Madd Asli (Natural Madd) — 2 counts

Madd Munfasil (Separated Madd) — 4 to 5 counts

Madd Muttasil (Connected Madd) — 4 to 5 counts

Madd Lazim (Necessary Madd) — 6 counts

Madd Arid Lissukoon — 2, 4, or 6 counts

This lesson is part of our complete Noorani Qaida course

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