Leen letters, wāw (و) and yā (ي), create a gentle, flowing sound in Arabic when followed by a sukoon and preceded by a fatha.
This soft pronunciation, crucial in Quranic recitation, enhances the melodic quality and emotional resonance of the sacred text, allowing readers to connect more deeply with its spiritual beauty.
The characteristic of Leen refers to how easily and soft the sound comes out of the mouth when pronounced. The letters of Leen refer to only 2 For the و (waaw) leen letter and for the ي (ya) leen letter.
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced reciter seeking to improve your skills, understanding Leen Letters is essential for correct pronunciation and beautiful recitation.
If you are new to the world of Quranic recitation, you may have come across this term and wondered what it means.
So let us delve into it and discover the leen letters.
Definition Of Soft Or Leen Letters
Leen means to read softly/smoothly and there are two Leen letters, these are wāw and yā wāw-Leen:
When wāw has a Jazm/Sakoon and the letter before wāw has a Fatha on it, then this wāw is called wāw Leen and will be read and pronounced quickly in a soft tone.
yā-e-Leen: when yā has a Jazm/Sakoon and the letter before yā has a Fatha on it, then this yā is called yā-e-Leen and will be read and pronounced quickly in a soft tone.
How Many Soft Letters (Huroof) In Arabic And Quran
Leen means to read softly and there are two leen letters which are و and ي. When there is a wow sukoon and the letter before has a fatha we read the wow softly and it is called wow leen.
When there is a ya sukoon and the letter before has a fatha we read the ya softly and it is called ya leen.
List Of Soft Letters (Huroof) With Examples
It’s a subtle phonetic feature and primarily associated with the letters waw (و) and ya (ي) when they bear a sukoon (ـْ) and are preceded by a fatha (ـَ).
Here are 4 Examples by way of clarification, but not as a limitation:
1. Who has fed them, [saving them] from hunger and made them safe, [saving them] from fear. (106:4)
الَّذِي أَطْعَمَهُم مِّن جُوعٍ وَآمَنَهُم مِّنْ خَوْفٍ
2. Woe to every scorner and mocker (104:1)
وَيْلٌ لِّكُلِّ هُمَزَةٍ لُّمَزَةٍ
3. The verse “اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ” (Allahu As-Samad) contains a lean letter in the word “الصَّمَدُ” (As-Samad).
The soft ‘waw’ sound denoted by the lean letter contributes to the divine and unchanging qualities attributed to Allah in this verse. (112/2)
4. In the verse “الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ” (Al-Hayyu Al-Qayyoom), lean letters can be found in both “الْحَيُّ” (Al-Hayyu) and “الْقَيُّومُ” (Al-Qayyoom).
The soft ‘ya’ and ‘waw’ sounds denoted by the lean letters contribute to the elevated and majestic tone of this verse. (2:255)
Importance Of Learning Leen Letters
Leen letters in Arabic play a significant role in pronunciation and recitation, allowing for a softer and smoother reading experience.
Madd Leen holds great importance in the field of Tajweed and it is a fundamental aspect of Quranic recitation that helps us connect with and understand the Quran on a deeper level.
By mastering the correct pronunciation and rate of harakat, we can truly appreciate the beauty and eloquence of Allah’s words.
Madd Leen enhances recitation of the Quran by adding emotion and accuracy, and with practice, it becomes second nature.
Read more about Tongue Letters In Arabic
What Are The Hard Or Heavy Letters In Arabic?
There are two types of letters in the Arabic alphabet:
heavy and light and the heaviness or lightness of a letter is determined by the amount of air that is exhaled when pronouncing it.
Heavy letters are pronounced with a full mouth, while light letters are pronounced with a less open mouth. This distinction is important because it can change the meaning of words when they are incorrectly pronounced.
It is also important to know the difference between Tafkheem and Tarqeeq in Tajweed:
What Is Tafkheem in Tajweed?
Linguistically, Tafkheem (Letters that are Heavy) is heaviness and thickening.
Idiomatically, it is a state of strength and heaviness attached to the letter when pronouncing it, so the mouth is filled with its echo, and Tafkheem and thickening are synonymous words with one meaning.
There are seven letters that are always heavy in the Arabic alphabet. They are organized using the Arabic abbreviation (خص ضغط قظ).
What Is Tarqeeq in Tajweed?
Linguistically, Tarqeeq (Letters that are Light) means thinning.
Idiomatically, it is a state of thinness and lightness attached to the letter when pronouncing it, so the mouth is not filled with its echo.
All the rest of the Arabic letters are always light (follow the Tarqeeq Rules) and it is not permissible to make anything of them heavy with the exception of these three (ا – ل – ر).
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Conclusion
Leen letters, wāw (و) and yā (ي), are pronounced softly in Arabic when they have a sukoon (ـْ) and are preceded by a fatha (ـَ). This phonetic feature, essential in Quranic recitation, ensures a smooth and melodious pronunciation, enriching the beauty and emotional depth of the text.
It is very important that you become familiar with the letters of the Arabic alphabet in general. We have tried to explain in a small way the difference between hard or heavy letters and soft letters.
We also learned about the difference between Tafkheem and Tarqeeq in a simple way.
Returning to the topic of our article, Leen letters play a crucial role in Tajweed and the recitation of the Quran.
They add beauty, clarity, and rhythm to the words when pronounced correctly.
Understanding their meaning, recognizing their presence in Arabic words, and applying the conditions for pronunciation are essential for mastering Tajweed.
