The characteristics of the letters (sifat)

Appendix Characteristics of Letters (Sifaat al-Huroof)

The qualities through which letters are articulated, and the distinct features that allow one letter to be distinguished from another when they emerge from the same articulation point, are called Sifaat (qualities). There are two types of Sifaat:

• Necessary Sifaat: These are qualities that are always present in a letter and can never be separated from it. If they were to be removed, the letter would no longer exist.
• Occasional Sifaat: These are qualities that do not always have to be present with the letter. If they are absent, the letter remains the same, but its beauty and strength may be diminished.

Additionally, the Necessary Sifaat are divided into two categories:

1. Contradictory: These are qualities that have an opposite or contradictory quality.
2. Non-Contradictory: These are qualities that do not have any opposite quality.

Appendix Contradictory Necessary Sifaat

There are five contradictory qualities, each of which has an opposite, making a total of ten qualities. Each letter must possess at least five of these qualities. If a letter has one quality, its opposite cannot exist in that letter.

1. Hams: This means a soft sound produced due to weakness. Letters with this quality are called Mamhusah (soft letters). There are ten letters with this quality:ت، ث، ح، خ، س، ش، ص، فThe meaning of this quality is that when these letters are pronounced, the sound weakens at the articulation point, allowing the breath to continue and the sound to become soft or lower in pitch.
2. Jahr: This is the opposite of Hams, meaning a strong sound due to power. Letters with this quality are called Majhura (strong letters). All letters, except for the Mamhusah letters, are considered Majhura. The meaning of this quality is that when these letters are pronounced, the sound becomes powerful and firm at the articulation point, cutting off the breath and making the sound strong or higher in pitch.
3. Shiddah: This means the sound becomes hard due to strength. Letters with this quality are called Shadida (hard letters). There are eight letters with this quality:ج، ب، ت، د، ط، ق، ک، پThe meaning of this quality is that when these letters are pronounced, the sound becomes hard at the articulation point, and the breath is immediately blocked with a firm sound.
4. Rukhwah: This is the opposite of Shiddah, meaning softness due to weakness. Letters with this quality are called Rukhwa (soft letters). There are sixteen letters with this quality:ا، ث، ح، خ، ذ، ز، س، ش، ص، ض، ظ، غ، ف، و، ہ، یThe meaning of this quality is that when these letters are pronounced, the sound remains soft and gentle at the articulation point, allowing the breath to continue and the sound to be smooth.

Appendix Note

Between the two qualities of Shiddah and Rukhwah, there is another quality that exists.

Tawasat:

This refers to a quality that combines both some harshness and some softness. Letters that possess this quality are called Mutawassitah (medium letters), and there are five such letters:ر، ع، ل، م، ن

These letters have a balanced sound where neither the airflow is completely blocked nor does it continue for too long. The sound remains in a middle state, combining both hardness and softness. This quality is not considered separate because it includes a mix of Shiddah (harshness) and Rukhwah (softness).

Isti'laa:This means to elevate or to rise. Letters that have this quality are called Musta'aliyah (elevated letters), and there are seven such letters:خ، ص، ض، ط، ظ، غ، ق

The meaning of this quality is that when these letters are articulated, the tongue always rises towards the roof of the mouth, which causes these letters to be pronounced with a deeper sound. The letters that exhibit this quality are pronounced in a heavier, fuller way.

Istifaal:This is the opposite of Isti'laa and means to stay down or remain lower. Letters that have this quality are called Mustafalah (lower letters), and all letters except for the Musta'aliyah letters fall under this category. The meaning of this quality is that when these letters are articulated, the tongue does not rise towards the roof of the mouth, allowing the sound to stay lighter and softer.

Itbaaq:This means to "close" or "press together." Letters that have this quality are called Mutabaqah (closed letters), and there are four such letters:ص، ض، ط، ظ

The meaning of this quality is that when these letters are pronounced, the middle part of the tongue presses against the roof of the mouth.

Infitaah:This is the opposite of Itbaaq and means "opening" or "remaining open." Letters that possess this quality are called Muntafihah (open letters), and all letters except for Mutabaqah letters are Muntafihah. This means that when these letters are articulated, the middle part of the tongue does not touch the roof of the mouth, allowing the sound to remain open and clearer.

Izlaq:This means "sliding" or "coming off the edge." Letters that have this quality are called Madhlaqah (sliding letters), and these six letters are:ب، ر، ف، ل، م، ن

The meaning of this quality is that these letters are articulated from the edges of the tongue and lips, making their pronunciation easier and more fluid. Among them, the Shafwiya (labial) letters are articulated using the edges of the lips, while the non-Shafwiya (non-labial) letters are articulated with the edges of the tongue.

Ismaat:This is the opposite of Izlaq and means "to remain silent" or "to stop." Letters that possess this quality are called Musammat (silent letters), and all letters except for Madhlaqah letters are Musammat. This quality means that these letters are not articulated from the edges of the tongue or lips, and they do not flow easily when pronounced. When pronouncing these letters, there is a sense of heaviness on the tongue.

Appendix Lazimah Ghair Mutadhadah

These are the qualities that are present in some letters but not in others, and they do not have an opposite quality. There are seven such qualities:

1. Saghir:This means "sharp" or "whistle-like" sound. Letters with this quality are called Safirah (whistling letters), and there are three such letters:ص، ز، سThe meaning of this quality is that when these letters are articulated, a sharp, whistle-like sound emerges.
2. Qalqalah:This means "tremor" or "vibration." Letters with this quality are called Huroof Qalqalah (trembling letters), and there are five such letters:ق، ط، ب، ج، دThe meaning of this quality is that when these letters are pronounced in their sakin (static) form, there is a vibration or tremor at the place of articulation, though not like that of a shaddah or moving sound.
3. Leen:This means "softness." Letters with this quality are called Huroof Leen (soft letters), and there are two such letters:و، یThese letters are pronounced with such softness at the point of articulation that if one wishes to prolong the sound, it can be done easily.
4. Inhiraf:This means "to turn or deviate." Letters with this quality are called Munharifah (deviated letters), and there are two such letters:ل، رThe meaning of this quality is that when the letter Laam ( ل) is pronounced, the sound shifts slightly to the edge of the tongue, and when Ra ( ر) is pronounced, the sound shifts towards the back of the tongue and the point of articulation of Laam.
5. Taqreer:This means "repetition" or "repeated sound." This quality is found only in the letter Ra ( ر).The meaning of this quality is that when Ra is pronounced, a repeating sound is produced. One should avoid excessive repetition, as it could lead to the pronunciation of multiple Ras instead of just one.
6. Naqshi:This means "spreading" or "expansion." This quality is found only in the letter Sheen ( ش).The meaning of this quality is that when Sheen is pronounced, the sound spreads inside the mouth, creating an expansive resonance.
7. Istaṭālat:This means "elongation" or "lengthening." This quality is found only in the letter Zaad ( ض).The meaning of this quality is that the sound gradually extends from the place of articulation towards the end, giving the impression that the place of articulation for Zaad is extended.

Appendix Note

The discussion of Makhārij (places of articulation) and Sifaat (qualities of the letters) has been completed. It is important to understand that merely reading this description is not enough to ensure correct pronunciation. One must consult a teacher and practice regularly to perfect the articulation and pronunciation.