Sifaat al-Huroof, or Characteristics of Arabic Letters, refers to the fixed ways in which Arabic letters are pronounced, distinguishing them from others sharing the same articulation point.
These characteristics are crucial for accurate pronunciation and are divided into two categories: Sifaat al-Lazimah (permanent characteristics) and Sifaat al-Areedah (redundant characteristics).
Permanent characteristics, such as jahr (audibility) and hams (whispering), are inherent to the letter, while redundant characteristics, like idgham (assimilation) and madd (prolongation), enhance pronunciation in specific contexts. Mastering these characteristics ensures precise recitation, particularly in Qur’anic recitation, and adds to the linguistic beauty and clarity of the Arabic language.
Let’s discuss them in detail step by step:
Definition of the Characteristics Of Arabic Letters
Linguistically: The Characteristics Of Arabic Letters or Sifaat alhuruf means the features of some person or something, such as
describing someone as having knowledge or being, or describing some person or something as being black or white.
Terminologically: The Characteristics Of Arabic Letters or Sifaat alhuruf means a fixed manner in which the letters are pronounced, such as the jahr (apparent sound).
What Are The Characteristics Of Arabic Letters?
The characteristics of the letters are what differentiate letters from others that share the same articulation point. If the student is not applying all the characteristics of the particular letter he/she is articulating, it will sound either like a totally different letter or will sound incorrect at the very least.
Perfection in pronunciation cannot be obtained unless both the sifah (characteristic/quality) and makhraj are correct.
Sifaat Al huroof are divided into two categories:
- A. Sifaat Al Lazimah “Permanent characteristics” (الصفات اللازمة)
- B. Sifaat Al Areedah “Redundant Characteristics” (الصفات العارضة)
Below are the Types of Characteristics, which will be reviewed in detail.
The Importance Of Studying Sifat Al Huruf (Characteristics Of Arabic Letters):
If the student is not applying all the characteristics of the particular letter he/she is articulating, it will sound either like a totally different letter or will sound incorrect at the very least.
There are four advantages to understanding these characteristics:
1. Differentiation between letters
It helps differentiate between letters that share the same exit point.
2. Precision in Pronunciation
You can distinguish between thin (muraqaqa) and emphatic (mufakhama) letters.
This becomes especially useful when applying the rule of “assimilations’ ‘ or “al-idgham”.
3. Clarity when speaking
The correct application of the characteristics of the letters makes the letters clearer and teaches the various timings of the saakin letters, a very important aspect of good Qur’anic recitation.
4. Refinement of pronunciation accuracy
It enhances pronunciation accuracy and a subtle shift in a letter’s characteristic can transform its sound; for example, letting out a breath while pronouncing د makes it sound like ت.
By mastering the Sifaat, we ensure the purity and distinctiveness of each letter.
Type Of Characteristics Of Arabic Letters
Sifaatul huroof are divided into two categories:
A. Sifaat Al Lazimah “Permanent characteristics” (الصفات اللازمة)
Sifaat Al Lazimah translated to ‘permanent characteristics’ is that characteristic which is part of the makeup of the letter, it cannot be removed from it, it is a right of the letter.
B. Sifaat Al Areedah “Redundant Characteristics” (الصفات العارضة)
Sifaat Al Areedah is translated to ‘redundant characteristics’ as that characteristic which “adds to” or “completes” a letter, such that if it were to be removed from it, it would not affect the actual letter, it is an additional right of the letter.
Below we will present each of them in detail.
A. Sifaat Al Lazimah “Permanent characteristics” (الصفات اللازمة)
There are two types of Sifaatul laazimah “permanent characteristics”
. Attributes that have opposites (صفات لها ضد)
. Attributes that do not have opposites (صفات لا ضد لها)
Attributes That Have Opposites (صفات لها ضد)
There are 11 adjectives that have opposites, we will learn about them below:
1. Al-Hams ( الهمس ) / Whispering
Weak or slight continuation of breath (whispering, expulsion of air) upon the pronunciation of the letter when it carries a sukoon.
The quality of hams is found in the following 10 letters which are called Mahmuusah.
The following letters have this quality: ( فحثه شخص سكت)
Examples: الرَّحْمن – بِاسْمِ
2. Al-Jahr ( الجهر ) / Audibility
Of the letters which traps air flow due to heavy reliance on the makhraj; applied to all the remaining letters not included in hams.
Examples: الحَمْدُ – نَعْبُد
3. Arakhawa ( الرخاوة ) / Looseness
The continuation of sound upon pronunciation of the letter when it carries a sukoon, in a soft and gentle manner.
Rakhaawa is the continuation of sound whereas hems is the continuation of breath.
Examples: أَظْلَمَ – يُغْنِيكُمُ
4. Shiddah ( الشدة ) / Redundant
Strong stoppage of the sound upon pronunciation of the letter when it carries a sukoon.
This is achieved by relying strongly on the makhraj or by constricting it.
The following letters on its makhraj (أجد قط بكت ).
The quality of shiddah is to pronounce forcefully, that when pronounced, the sound of the letter will be hard, and the sound of the letter will end off in the makhraj.
Examples: انشَقَّتِ – تُبْلَى – رَكَّبَكَ
5. Al-tawasut ( البينية ) / Mediation
Is a middle characteristic, lingering between shiddah and rakhaawah (the opposite sifah); this is when the sound emerges but does not flow; applied to the letters ر ع ل م ن
Gathered in the sentence لِنْ عُمَرْ
الأرْضِ – الدِّيْنِ – نَعْبُدُ Examples
6. Al-Isti’laa ( الاستعلاء ) / Elevation
of aqsal-lisaan (deep area of the tongue) towards the roof of the mouth when pronouncing one of the seven isti’laa’ letters خ ص ض ط ظ غ ق
Gathered in the sentence خُصَّ ضَغْطٍ قِظْ
These letters are sometimes referred to as “the grumpy letters”, because the lips move in when pronouncing them, and because they’re heavy – hence quite a mouthful to say!
7. Al-Istifaal ( الاستفال ) / Lowness
Referring to the lowering of the deep area of the tongue (aqsal lisaan) to the floor of the mouth during the emergence of the letter, applied to all the remaining letters not mentioned in isti’laa.
These letters are often called “the happy letters’ ‘ because the lips form a small smile when pronouncing them.
8. Al-Itbaaq ( الإطباق ) / Closing
Derived from a verb meaning “to stick.”
Explanation: Pronunciation of these letters involves part of the tongue sticking to the palate.
Letters: ظ – ط – ض -ص
9. Al-Infitaah ( الانفتاح ) / Opening
Referring to the separation of the tongue (or most of the tongue) from the roof of the mouth upon the pronunciation of a letter; applies to the remaining letters not mentioned in itbaaq.
10. Al-Ithlaaq ( الإذْلاق ) / Ease
Of the letters emerging from the tip of the tongue and lips, which are ب ر ف ل م ن
Gathered in the sentence فِرَّ مَنْ لُبْ
11. Al-Ismaat ( الإصمات ) / Restraint
These letters exhibit a certain heaviness during their pronunciation, of the emergence of the letter from within the mouth and throat; this rule relates to Arabic grammar
Letters (23 in total), Technicality: Pronunciation doesn’t involve pressing against the tip of the tongue or lips.
Attributes that do not have opposites (صفات لا ضد لها)
There are 7 adjectives that have no opposite, and we will learn about them below:
1. Al-Safeer ( الصفير ) / Whistling
That sound emerges from the tip of the tongue and upper front teeth, audible even when reciting in a whisper.
Applied to the letters and Produces a whistle-like sound.
Letters: ز س ص
The sound is produced with an emission between the lips, earning these letters the title “the whistling letters.”
2. Al-Qalqalah ( القلقلة ) / Vibration
Occurs at the makhraj of the saakin letter upon pronunciation due to the letter’s strength (shiddah) and audibility (jahr) correlating to the prevention of breath and sound flow.
This means, that when qalqalah is exercised, a burst of the sound and breath occur, hence making the letter audible). Applied to the letters ب ج د ط ق
Gathered in the sentence قُطْبُ جَد
3. Al-Leen ( اللين ) / Ease
“Al-leen” in Arabic translates to “gentleness.” It denotes a soft and effortless pronunciation.
In pronouncing the letter (emergence of the letter without exertion). Applied to the letters waaw saakinah and yaa saakinah that follow a fat-ha وْ يْ
such as in the words: ( Khawf – Al-sayf) ( الخوف – الصيف)
4. Al-Inhiraaf ( الانحراف ) / Inclination
“Al-inhirâf” is translated from Arabic as “deviation.” It pertains to the alteration of the sound of certain letters from their original points of articulation.
of the tongue, such that the makhraj for the two letters laamل and raa ر is slightly inclined from the makhraj of noon ( ن ).
Another explanation of this sifah states: that it’s the inclination of the letter after it emerges from its makhraj towards another makhraj.
This applies to the letters ل ر
such that laam inclined towards the tip of the tongue and the letter raa inclined back towards the makhraj of the laam.
5. Al-Takreer ( التكرير ) / Repetition
Or rolling the tongue upon pronouncing the letter. This quality applies to the letter ر
and should be avoided by pressing the tip of the tongue against the hard palate and letting it ‘roll’ back once (to produce the sound of raa).
6. Al-Tafashee ( التفشِّي ) / Diffusion
“At-tafashee” translates from Arabic as “propagation.” It describes the dispersal of air within the mouth during the pronunciation of a specific letter.
Of air in the mouth upon pronouncing the letter. Applies to the letter ش
7. Al-Istitaalah ( الاستطالة ) / Elongation
It pertains to the extended sound duration during the pronunciation of a particular letter.
referring to the length of the makhraj or the extension of sound over the entire edge of the tongue and is particularly noticeable when the letter has a sukoon.
B. Sifaat Al Areedah”Redundant Characteristics” (الصفات العارضة)
The redundant characteristics of the letters of the alphabet are characteristics that complete the pronunciation of the letter, and appear
in it during its pronunciation in certain cases.
That is, they have no effect on the letter itself in the event that they are removed from it, so they are merely incidental characteristics.
It is divided into 11 characteristics:
1. Al Idgham (الإدغام)
which is the pronunciation of two consecutive letters as one letter, or in some cases as specific letters.
2. Al Izhar (الإظهار)
It is the manifestation of the letter from its original source and attributes, without any change.
3. Al Qalb (القلب)
It is the pronunciation of a letter inverted to form another letter, such as inverting the ba into a meem in the inversion of the noon sakina and tanween.
4. Al Ikhfaa (الإخفاء)
concealing the pronunciation of the original letter, and its pronunciation is resistance, which is between the assimilation and the verb, and the pronunciation is smooth without stress while showing some of the characteristics of ghana.
5. Al Madd (المد)
It is an increase in the original literal sound of it, and how many selections from the place of revelation in Tajweed.
6. Al Qasr (القصر)
which is shortening the volume of the tidal sound to vowels less than its original volume.
7. Al Tahrik (التحريك)
It is the presence of some consonants in certain places during recitation.
8. Al Sukoun (السكون)
It is the opposite of vocalization, i.e. pronouncing the vowel sound still in some places.
9. Al Sukkot (السكوت)
This is when the reader pauses at a letter whose sound is cut off for a long period of time for the listener without breathing, and the positions of the attribute of silence differ from one reading to another.
10. Al Tafkhim (التفخيم)
It takes the vowel out of the mouth so that it appears more sounder than its original sound.
11. Altaraqiq (الترقيق)
pronouncing the letter with a less heavy sound than its original sound, so that it appears with a gentler and softer sound.
Read more about soft and leen letters in Arabic
What Is the Difference Between Makhaarij al huroof and Sifaat al-Huruf?
Makhaarij al huroof only provides information as to where the sound of the letter comes from, whereas sifaat provides extra information with regard to the characteristics of the letter in order to produce the correct sound.
It’s essential to delve deeper into their distinctive features or “Sifaat”.
While several letters may share the same exit point, their unique characteristics set them apart during pronunciation.
For instance:
Some letters are soft, others are more pronounced and some require a breath, others are silent.
The letters of Tajweed all have rights which we must abide by. They have characteristics, or qualities, most of which we must embrace, and a few which we must avoid.
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Conclusion
By knowing the characteristics of Arabic Letters (Sifat al Huroof), the letters that share the vowel are distinguished from each other.
The pronunciation and pronunciation of letters that differ in the vowel are improved.
One can distinguish strong letters from weak letters, and this helps in knowing what can be (Idgham) into other letters.
It adds beauty to the Arabic language, it helps to master reading the Holy Quran correctly and it helps to understand the meanings of the Holy Quran accurately.
