Chapter 8 of 17

Shadda — The Doubled Letter

الشدة (التشديد)

Learn what shadda means and how to pronounce a doubled letter correctly. Shadda is one of the most distinctive features of Arabic and Quran recitation.

Shadda (الشدة) is a small "w" shaped mark ( ّ ) written above a letter. It means the letter is doubled — it appears twice, the first time with sukoon and the second time with a vowel. The result is a strong, emphatic pronunciation.

How to Pronounce Shadda

Hold the letter firmly for a brief moment before releasing it with its vowel. Example: رَبَّ = Ra + bba (hold the b, then release with fatha). Think of it as: close → hold → open. The letter is "doubled" in strength and duration.

15 Quran Examples with Shadda

رَبَّنَا
Rabbanaa
ب doubled — Our Lord
الرَّحْمَٰنِ
Ar-Rahmaani
ر doubled with shamsiyya
نَبِيٌّ
Nabiyyun
ي doubled — prophet
الْحَقُّ
Al-Haqqu
ق doubled — the truth
الرَّحِيمِ
Ar-Raheemi
ر doubled — most merciful
إِيَّاكَ
Iyyaaka
ي doubled — You alone
الضَّالِّينَ
Ad-Daalleen
ض and ل doubled
إِنَّ
Inna
ن doubled — indeed/verily
عَلَيْهِمْ
Alayhim
No shadda here — practice contrast
تَبَّتْ
Tabbat
ب doubled — may it perish
لَهَبٍ
Lahabin
ب not doubled here
يُعَذِّبُ
Yuadhhibu
ذ doubled — he punishes
قَدَّرَ
Qaddara
د doubled — he decreed
وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ
Wala-d-daalleen
ض and ل both with shadda
مَدَّ
Madda
د doubled — he extended

Shadda and Ghunna

When shadda appears on Noon (نّ) or Meem (مّ), they must be pronounced with Ghunna — a nasal sound held for 2 counts. Example: إِنَّ (Inna) — the نّ is doubled AND nasal. This is called Ghunna Mushadda.

القاعدة النورانية

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