Quick Answer
Noon Sakinah is a silent noon (نْ) and Tanween is nunation (ـً ـٌ ـٍ) that behaves like a hidden noon. Both follow the same five rules based on the following letter: Izhar (clear pronunciation), Idgham (merging), Iqlab (conversion to meem), Ikhfa (concealment), and Ghunna (nasalization).
Key Rules: Throat letters (ء ه ع ح غ خ) → Izhar. Letters ي ر م ل و ن → Idgham. ب → Iqlab. 15 other letters → Ikhfa. Ghunna appears in Idgham with ghunnah, Iqlab, and Ikhfa.
Next steps: Master Izhar rules → Learn Idgham merging → Practice Iqlab conversion
Table of Contents
- Introduction to Noon Sakinah & Tanween
- What are Noon Sakinah and Tanween?
- What to Learn in Noon Sakinah and Tanween?
- How to Recognize Noon Sakinah & Tanween
- The Five Main Rules Overview
- Detailed Letter Lists
- Step-by-Step Application
- Examples in Arabic
- More on Ghunna
- Common Mistakes & Fixes
- Stopping and Tanween
- Exercises and Drills
- Advanced Points & Nuance
- Common Quranic Examples
- Quick Reference Card
- Final Tips for Fast Progress
- Recommended Learning Path
- Frequently Asked Questions
We've covered a comprehensive foundation in Tajweed so far: makhārij (where letters come from), ṣifāt al-ḥurūf (letter characteristics), Ṣifāt Lāzimah (permanent characteristics), Ṣifāt 'Āriḍah (temporary characteristics), Tafkhīm & Tarqīq (heavy vs light), Qalqalah (bouncing echo), Tafkhīm of Rā', Tafkhīm of Lām in Allāh, and common Ṣifāt mistakes. Now we move to Cluster D, focusing on one of the most important and frequently occurring rules in Quranic recitation:
Focus of This Lesson
Noon Sakinah and Tanween Rules — the foundation of proper Arabic pronunciation when encountering silent noon and nunation. These rules determine how we pronounce the "n" sound when it meets different letters, affecting clarity, meaning, and the beauty of recitation.
What are Noon Sakinah and Tanween?
Noon Sakinah (النون الساكنة)
Means a noon (ن) that is sukūn (has no vowel). It is written as ن with a small circle ْ (sukūn) above it or appears as a plain ن when the context makes it silent.
Example
مَنْ (man) — the ن is sakin (silent /n/ sound subject to the rules below).
Tanween (التنوين)
Tanween is the nunation (an extra "n" sound) at the end of a word shown by doubled short vowel signs:
| Tanween Type | Symbol | Sound | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fatḥatan | ـً | "an" | كِتابًا (kitāban) |
| Ḍammatan | ـٌ | "un" | كِتابٌ (kitābun) |
| Kasratan | ـٍ | "in" | كِتابٍ (kitābin) |
Important Concept
Although written as vowel marks, each tanween is pronounced as if there is a short "n" (noon) after the vowel. So tanween behaves exactly like a hidden noon (Noon Sakinah) for the purposes of Tajweed rules.
Key Point: For Tajweed we treat Noon Sakinah and Tanween the same — both are a "n" sound that may be clearly pronounced, hidden, merged, or turned into another letter depending on the following letter.
What to Learn in Noon Sakinah and Tanween?
When we meet a Noon Sakinah or Tanween in reading, we must immediately decide which of the following to apply:
The Five Rules
1. Izhar (إظهار) — Clear Pronunciation
Pronounce the "n" clearly with no nasal merge — give the full /n/ sound. No ghunnah (nasal hold).
2. Idgham (إدغام) — Merging/Assimilating
Merge the "n" into the next letter (with or without nasalization). The noon disappears and its sound is merged into the next letter.
3. Iqlab (إقلاب) — Conversion/Turning
Change the "n" to a meem (م) sound and nasalize. The noon/tanween changes into a meem sound with ghunnah.
4. Ikhfā (إخفاء) — Concealment
Hide the "n" partially; pronounce with nasalization but not fully clear. The sound comes out faint and nasalized.
5. Ghunna (الغنة) — Nasalization
This is the nasal sound that appears in some of the above rules. A nasal sound held for a short duration (usually two counts).
We'll explain each in detail (letters, how to pronounce, examples, exceptions) — then we'll give drills and practice tips.
How to Recognize Noon Sakinah & Tanween in the Text?
Noon Sakinah
Explicitly a ن with sukun: e.g., مُنْذُ (munthu) or مَنْ (man).
Tanween
Word ends with ـً / ـٌ / ـٍ (fatḥ/ḍamm/kasr tanwīn) — pronounce as "an / un / in" but the following rule will modify that "n".
Key Point
In connected recitation (when two words touch in reading), the rule depends on the letter that immediately follows the noon/tanween — no matter how the words are spaced in writing.
The Five Main Rules of Noon Sakinah and Tanween
Here is the overview of the five main rules of Noon sakinah and tanween as we have detailed lessons for each separately.
A — Izhar (إظهار) — "Clear/Manifest"
When:
If the letter after Noon Sakinah/Tanween is one of the six throat letters: ء ه ع ح غ خ (hamzah, hā', 'ayn, ḥā', ghayn, khā').
How to pronounce:
Pronounce the n clearly, with no nasal merge — give the full /n/ sound. No ghunnah (nasal hold).
Examples:
- مِنْ هَذَا → pronounced min haḏā (clear n)
- كَانَ قَوْمٌ عَادٌ → /qawmun ʻādun/ — the tanween before ʻayn: izhar.
B — Idgham (إدغام) — "Merging/Assimilating"
When:
If the next letter is one of ي ر م ل و ن (yā', rā', mīm, lām, wāw, nūn).
Two types:
- Idgham with ghunnah (nasalized): ي ن م و (y, n, m, w) — merge and nasalize.
- Idgham without ghunnah (no nasal): ر ل (r, l) — merge but no nasalization.
How to pronounce:
The noon disappears; its sound is merged into the next letter (the next letter is doubled — shown by shaddah in correct tajweed marking). For the ghunnah group we hold the nasal sound while merging.
Examples:
- مِنْ يَوْمٍ → becomes mi[n+yawm] → pronounced like miyawmin with merge and ghunnah (idgham with ghunnah).
- مِنْ لَدُنْ → before ل (idgham without ghunnah): the n merges into the l → mildun with doubled l sound and no nasal.
C — Iqlab (إقلاب) — "Conversion/Turning"
When:
If the next letter is ب (bā').
How to pronounce:
The noon/tanween changes into a meem (م) sound and you give a nasal (ghunnah) while pronouncing the meem. (In recitation we often hold it for two counts like other ghunnah cases.)
Example:
مِنْ بَعْدِ → pronounced mim-ba'di (the noon turns into meem and is nasalised).
D — Ikhfā (إخفاء) — "Concealment (Partial Hiding)"
When:
If the next letter is one of 15 letters: ت ث ج د ذ ز س ش ص ض ط ظ ف ق ك. (Fifteen letters.)
How to pronounce:
The n is not pronounced clearly nor fully merged — it's partially hidden. We produce a sound between clear n and merging: we keep the oral articulation lightly stopped and add a nasal sound (ghunnah). The resulting sound is faint, nasalized, and the tongue does not fully touch as in a full n.
Example:
مِنْ ثَمَرَةٍ → pronounced min-thamara with ikhfā: the n is concealed and nasalized before ث.
E — Ghunna (الغنة) — "Nasalization"
What is it:
A nasal sound (like humming through the nose) that we hold for a short duration (usually two counts) when required.
Where it appears:
In Idgham with ghunnah, Ikhfā, and Iqlab (and also in letters that have shaddah: نّ and مّ).
How to produce:
Soft nasal resonance from the nose while the oral articulation is either merged or hidden. Practice: hum "nnn" while mouth positions change.
Detailed Letter Lists and What to Do — Memorize These
| Rule | Letters | Count | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Izhar | ء ، ه ، ع ، ح ، غ ، خ | 6 | Clear pronunciation |
| Idgham (with ghunnah) | ي ، ن ، م ، و | 4 | Merge + nasalize |
| Idgham (without ghunnah) | ر ، ل | 2 | Merge, no nasal |
| Iqlab | ب | 1 | Convert to meem + nasal |
| Ikhfā | ت ث ج د ذ ز س ش ص ض ط ظ ف ق ك | 15 | Hide + nasal |
Memory Aid
Total letters: 6 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 15 = 28 letters (all Arabic letters)
These lists are what we use to decide which rule to apply when we meet noon/tanween.
Step-by-Step HOW to Apply Noon Sakinah and Tanween Rules
We will use a clear procedure you can follow when reading:
Application Procedure
Step 1: Recognition
See a Noon Sakinah or Tanween.
Step 2: Check Next Letter
Look at the next letter (the one immediately after it in speech — it might be in the next word).
Step 3: Match to Rule
Match it to the lists above (Izhar, Idgham, Iqlab, Ikhfā).
Step 4: Apply Correct Action
Apply the correct pronunciation technique.
Izhar — How to Do It
- Fully articulate the /n/ at the alveolar ridge (tip of tongue touching the area just behind the upper teeth).
- No nasal hold. Release the n clearly into the next letter.
- Example: مِنْ هَذَا → min haḏā (n pronounced plainly).
Idgham — How to Do It
- Merge: do not pronounce the final /n/ as a separate sound. Instead, transfer its sound into the next letter which is doubled (like putting shaddah).
- If ghunnah group (ي ن م و): while merging, hold the nasal tone for about two counts and then pronounce the doubled letter.
- Example: مِنْ يَوْمٍ → pronounce mi[y+yawm] with nasal (idgham with ghunnah).
- If no-ghunnah group (ر ل): merge but do not nasalize. The next letter is doubled and pronounced without nasalization.
- Example: مِنْ لَدُنْ → pronounce mil-ladun (the l is doubled, no nasal).
Iqlab — How to Do It
- Convert the noon into meem (م). So you pronounce a meem sound instead of noon.
- Hold ghunnah while pronouncing the meem (two counts).
- Example: مِنْ بَعْدِ → pronounced mim-ba'di (m sound + nasal).
Ikhfā — How to Do It
- Do not fully pronounce the n. Instead, partially hide it — the sound comes out faint and nasalized, between n and the following letter.
- Keep tongue near the position of noon but not touching fully; let nasal resonance carry.
- Example: مِنْ ثَمَرَةٍ → faint nasal before ث.
Ghunna — How to Do It
- When required, allow nasal resonance by slightly lowering the soft palate so sound vibrates in the nose.
- Hold it for a short duration (commonly taught as "two counts"). Practice humming "ng" and then moving to the following letter.
Examples in Arabic
We'll show each rule with a few Quranic-style examples you can practice:
Izhar Examples
- مِنْ هَذَا — min hādhā → izhar (clear n)
- كِتَابٌ عَظِيمٌ — kitābun ʻaẓīmun → izhar before ʻayn.
Idgham Examples
- مِنْ يَوْمٍ — min yawmin → idgham with ghunnah → pronounce miyawmin (merged, nasalized).
- مِنْ نَبِيٍّ — min nabiyyin → idgham with ghunnah (n into n -> doubling with ghunnah).
- مِنْ لَدُنْ — min ladun → idgham without ghunnah before ل (l is doubled, no nasal).
Iqlab Examples
- مِنْ بَعْدِ — min ba'd → iqlab: pronounce mim-ba'd (n -> m, nasal).
- Concrete common Quranic example: أَنۢبَأْنَـٰهُم — when noon meets ب we do iqlab in similar contexts.
Ikhfā Examples
- مِنْ ثَمَرَةٍ — min thamaratin → ikhfā (n is hidden before ث).
- مِنْ سَبِيلٍ — min sabīlin → ikhfā before س.
More on Ghunna — How to Produce It and How Long
What to Feel
Vibration in the nose / soft palate area. Place index finger on the side of nose and hum to feel vibration.
How Long
In tajweed training, we usually hold ghunnah for two counts in idgham with ghunnah, in iqlab, and in nun with shaddah (نّ) and meem shaddah (مّ). For ikhfā, we also use a short nasalization (some say a shorter hold, but beginners hold a short ghunnah).
How to Practice
Hum "nnn" steadily, then open to the following letter while maintaining nasal vibration.
Common Mistakes & Fixes (Practical)
Common Mistakes & Correction Strategies
- Mistake: Pronouncing ikhfā as izhar (clear n).
Fix: Slow down, isolate the pair (e.g., say only "min + th" slowly). Practice a soft nasal fade rather than a full clear n. - Mistake: Using ghunnah where there should be none (e.g., idgham without ghunnah).
Fix: Memorize that ر and ل in idgham have no ghunnah. Practice minimal pairs: مِنْ رَبّ (should be merged without nasal) vs مِنْ مَلِكٍ (merged with nasal). - Mistake: Converting to meem incorrectly (Iqlab confusion).
Fix: Remember iqlab only before ب. Practice: repeat min baʿd → then mim baʿd with nasal. - Mistake: Not holding ghunnah long enough.
Fix: Count "1-2" in your head to hold the nasal, then go to the next sound.
Stopping (Waqf) and Tanween — What Happens When We Pause?
If you stop on a word that has Tanween, the tanween is dropped and the word is pronounced without the nasal "n" at the end — effectively as if it ends with a consonant in sukoon.
Example
كِتابٌ (kitābun) when stopping → كِتاب (kitāb) (no final "n" sound).
Why: Tanween indicates case endings in Arabic grammar; when you stop, case endings are removed so the tanween/nunation is not heard.
Note: Keep in mind some recitation traditions and grammatical details add nuance, but this is the practical rule for recitation.
Exercises and Drills — How We Practice to Mastery
Practice Drills
A — Recognition Drill (Reading Practice)
Take a short verse or sentence with many noon/tanween occurrences. Underline every noon/tanween and write the next letter. Label which rule applies. (Start slowly.)
B — Isolated Articulation Drill
Take minimal pairs and repeat:
- Izhar: مِنْ هَـ — min ha- → pronounce clearly.
- Ikhfā: مِنْ ثَـ — min tha- → half-hidden nasal.
- Idgham (with ghunnah): مِنْ يَـ — min ya- → merge + nasal.
- Idgham (without ghunnah): مِنْ لَـ — min la- → merge, no nasal.
- Iqlab: مِنْ بَـ — min ba- → turn to meem + nasal.
C — Hold-and-Release (Ghunnah Control)
Say the letter with ghunnah (e.g., idgham with y) and hold the nasal for "one-two" beats, then release to the next letter. Use metronome or phone count.
D — Quranic Practice
Choose short surahs and read line by line, identifying noon/tanween and predicting the rule before pronouncing.
E — Recording & Comparing
Record your recitation, compare with a skilled qāri', and adjust based on what you hear (nasal length, clarity).
Advanced Points & Nuance (For Deeper Study)
Advanced Considerations
- Idgham may be shown in Tajweed-annotated Qur'ans with small signs (shaddah on the assimilated letter, or special marks). Learn to spot those.
- Sukūn vs tanween: tanween acts like a hidden noon; sukūn is explicit noon — rules treat both the same for these rules.
- Stopping signs sometimes change how you pronounce the final noon/tanween (we covered the basic drop of tanween when stopping).
- Coarticulation in fast recitation: fluent qirāʼah blends words; this makes correct application of idgham, ikhfā, etc., more audible. Practice slow → medium → normal speeds.
- Different qiraʼāt: there are recitational variants (qirāʼāt) where some differences may appear; Tajweed rules above are the classical rules used in most recitation methods.
Common Quranic Examples to Practice (Real Phrases)
Practice Examples
- مِنْ هَذَا — min hādhā — izhar (clear n).
- مِنْ يَوْمٍ — min yawmin — idgham with ghunnah.
- مِنْ لَدُنْ — min ladun — idgham without ghunnah.
- مِنْ بَعْدِ — min baʿdi — iqlab (n → m).
- مِنْ ثَمَرَةٍ — min thamaratin — ikhfā (concealed n).
Practice these slowly, then at reading speed.
Quick Reference Card (Memorize This)
Essential Rules Summary
- Izhar: letters — ء ه ع ح غ خ (clear n).
- Idgham: letters — ي ر م ل و ن (merge) → y n m w (ghunnah), r l (no ghunnah).
- Iqlab: letter — ب (n → m + ghunnah).
- Ikhfā: letters (15) — ت ث ج د ذ ز س ش ص ض ط ظ ف ق ك (hide + nasal).
- Ghunna: nasal sound — hold ~two counts where required (idgham-ghunnah, iqlab, ikhfa, nun shaddah, meem shaddah).
Final Tips — For Fast Progress
Progress Tips
- Learn the letter lists by heart. Use flashcards: show the next letter, recall which rule.
- Always check the very next letter (it may be in the next word). Tajweed depends on the following sound.
- Do slow practice until the correct mouth/tongue movement becomes automatic.
- Feel the ghunnah physically (vibrate the nose) — that confirms correct nasalization.
- Record yourself and compare with a good reciter.
- Drill minimal pairs: this builds discrimination between izhar/ikhfa/idgham/iqlab.
- Work with a teacher for feedback — small adjustments of tongue position make a big difference.
Recommended Learning Path
Next Steps After Mastering Noon Sakinah & Tanween
- Master Izhar detailed rules — Learn clear pronunciation with throat letters
- Learn Idgham merging techniques — Understand merging with and without ghunnah
- Practice Iqlab conversion — Master conversion to meem before ب
- Understand Ikhfā concealment — Learn partial hiding with 15 letters
- Master Ghunna nasalization — Perfect nasal sound production and timing
- Review common Ṣifāt mistakes — Ensure proper application of all characteristics
Note: Master the basic Noon Sakinah & Tanween rules first, then study each rule in detail. Understanding these rules is essential for proper pronunciation and affects the clarity and beauty of Quranic recitation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Noon Sakinah is a silent noon (نْ) and Tanween is nunation (ـً ـٌ ـٍ) that behaves like a hidden noon. Both follow the same five rules based on the following letter: Izhar (clear pronunciation), Idgham (merging), Iqlab (conversion to meem), Ikhfā (concealment), and Ghunna (nasalization). For Tajweed purposes, we treat them identically.
The five rules are: 1) Izhar - clear pronunciation before throat letters (ء ه ع ح غ خ), 2) Idgham - merging before ي ر م ل و ن (with ghunnah for ي ن م و, without for ر ل), 3) Iqlab - conversion to meem before ب, 4) Ikhfā - concealment before 15 letters (ت ث ج د ذ ز س ش ص ض ط ظ ف ق ك), 5) Ghunna - nasalization that appears in Idgham with ghunnah, Iqlab, and Ikhfā.
For Izhar: fully articulate the /n/ at the alveolar ridge (tip of tongue touching area behind upper teeth), no nasal hold, release the n clearly into the next letter. Example: مِنْ هَذَا → min haḏā (n pronounced plainly). This applies before throat letters: ء ه ع ح غ خ.
For Idgham: do not pronounce the final /n/ as a separate sound, transfer its sound into the next letter which is doubled. For ghunnah group (ي ن م و): hold nasal tone for two counts while merging. For no-ghunnah group (ر ل): merge without nasalization. Example: مِنْ يَوْمٍ → pronounce mi[y+yawm] with nasal (idgham with ghunnah).
For Iqlab: convert the noon into meem (م) sound, hold ghunnah while pronouncing the meem for two counts. Example: مِنْ بَعْدِ → pronounced mim-ba'di (m sound + nasal). This only applies before the letter ب.
For Ikhfā: do not fully pronounce the n, partially hide it - the sound comes out faint and nasalized, between n and the following letter. Keep tongue near noon position but not touching fully, let nasal resonance carry. Example: مِنْ ثَمَرَةٍ → faint nasal before ث. This applies before 15 letters: ت ث ج د ذ ز س ش ص ض ط ظ ف ق ك.
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