Quick Answer
Izhar means clear pronunciation of Noon Sakinah and Tanween before throat letters (ء ه ع ح غ خ). The "n" sound is pronounced clearly with no nasal merge or ghunnah. This ensures proper articulation and prevents confusion with other rules.
Key Rule: If the letter immediately after Noon Sakinah or Tanween is a throat letter, apply Izhar — pronounce the /n/ clearly, with no ghunnah.
Next steps: Learn Idgham merging → Practice Iqlab conversion → Understand Ikhfā concealment
Table of Contents
- Introduction to Izhar
- What is Izhar in Noon Sakinah?
- Which Letters Cause Izhar?
- The Exact Articulation
- Why Throat Letters Cause Izhar
- How to Apply Izhar in Tajweed
- Common Forms We Will Encounter
- Izhar Examples from Quran
- Special Situations and Clarifications
- Common Errors and How to Fix Them
- Exercises and Practice Drills
- Quick Cheat-Sheet
- Advanced Notes
- Practice of Izhar Examples From Quran
- Final Quick Practice Set
- Recommended Learning Path
- Frequently Asked Questions
In our previous lesson, we have covered an overview of Noon Sakinah and Tanween Rules. So, in this lesson, we are moving towards Izhar.
In this lesson, we'll explain Izhar from the ground up, step-by-step, with clear headings. This lesson is only about Izhar of Noon Sakinah & Tanween (not Izhar Shafawi).
Focus of This Lesson
Izhar in Noon Sakinah and Tanween — the rule of clear pronunciation when encountering throat letters. This is one of the five main rules that determine how we pronounce the "n" sound when it meets different letters, ensuring proper articulation and clarity in Quranic recitation.
What is Izhar in Noon Sakinah?
Izhar literally means "clarity / manifestation."
In the context of Noon Sakinah (نْ) and Tanween (ـً / ـٍ / ـٌ), Izhar means we pronounce the "n" sound clearly and openly — we do not hide it, change it, or merge it into the next letter. Also, no nasal hold (ghunnah) is applied in Izhar (i.e., the n is pronounced plainly, not nasalized).
Practical Rule
If the letter immediately after a Noon Sakinah or Tanween is a throat letter, we apply Izhar — pronounce the /n/ clearly, with no ghunnah.
Which Letters Cause Izhar? (The Izhar Letters)
These six letters are called حروف الحلق (the throat letters). Whenever a Noon Sakinah or Tanween is followed (in speech) by any of these six, we must use Izhar.
| Letter | Name | Transliteration | Makhraj |
|---|---|---|---|
| ء | Hamzah | hamzah | Glottal stop; produced from the deepest part of the throat / glottis |
| ه | Hāʼ | hāʼ | Mid-throat; produced from the middle of the throat |
| ع | ʻAyn | ʻayn | Deep upper-throat, voiced pharyngeal sound; deep throat |
| ح | Ḥāʼ | ḥāʼ | Heavy, breathy sound from the deep throat — slightly lower than ʻayn |
| غ | Ghayn | ghayn | Upper-throat / partial pharyngeal, voiced; pronounced from upper throat |
| خ | Khāʼ | khāʼ | Back of the tongue against the soft palate into the upper throat — similar area to غ but voiceless |
Memory Aid
These six letters are collectively memorized as: ء هـ ع ح غ خ — sometimes recited as "Hamza — Haa — 'Ayn — Haa — Ghayn — Khaa".
Name for this type of Izhar: Often called Izhar Halqi (إظهار حلقي) — "halq" = throat. So when Noon/Tanween meets any of the halqi letters, we perform Izhar Halqi.
The Exact Articulation (How Izhar Sounds)
Izhar Articulation Characteristics
1. No Ghunnah
No nasal hold. The /n/ is pronounced cleanly — no nasal hum.
2. Full Audible /n/
The tongue tip contacts the alveolar ridge (just behind the upper front teeth) as in a normal clear /n/ articulation.
3. Quick, Clean Release
Quick, clean release into the next (throat) letter — the /n/ sound is not merged or transformed.
4. Normal Duration
Length: the /n/ is pronounced briefly (normal consonant duration) — not prolonged for ghunnah counts.
Summary
In short: clear, complete /n/ with quick transition to the following throat letter.
Why Throat Letters Cause Izhar
The throat letters have their own deep, emphatic or explosive articulation that is phonetically distant from the /n/ place (alveolar). Because of that, blending or nasalizing would be unnatural and would obscure the throat sound. So Tajweed prescribes full separation — the noon is pronounced plainly, then the throat letter is pronounced.
How to Apply Izhar in Tajweed?
Application Steps
Step 1: Recognition
See a Noon Sakinah (نْ) or Tanween.
Step 2: Check Next Letter
Look at the very next pronounced letter (it may be in the next word).
Step 3: Apply Rule
If that next pronounced letter is one of ء ه ع ح غ خ, apply Izhar.
Step 4: Pronounce
Pronounce the /n/ fully and plainly (no ghunnah), then pronounce the throat letter.
Important Note
The rule depends on the actually pronounced next letter. If the next letter is silent in pronunciation (for example hamzat al-wasl sometimes silent in wasl), use the letter that is actually heard.
Common Forms We Will Encounter
Common Izhar Patterns
- Noon Sakinah + Throat letter across words: e.g., مِنْ هٰذَا (Noon Sakinah at end of first word, hāʼ at start of next) → Izhar.
- Tanween + Throat letter across words: e.g., كِتَابًا هُوَ (kitāban huwa) → tanween (ـً) followed by hāʼ → Izhar.
- Noon Sakinah immediately followed by throat letter in same word: (less common but possible in some morphological forms) — same treatment.
Izhar Examples from Quran
We show examples that occur commonly in Quranic recitation and Tajweed practice. For each: Arabic phrase, transliteration, which letter follows, and how we pronounce it (explain).
Important Note
We give the practice examples as they are read (not necessarily with verse references). These forms appear throughout Qur'ānic recitation.
Example 1
Arabic:
مِنْ هَذَا
Transliteration:
min hādhā
Why Izhar:
Noon Sakinah (نْ) is followed by ه (hāʼ) — a throat letter.
How to pronounce:
Say min with a clear /n/ (tip of tongue at alveolar ridge), then immediately pronounce hāʼ clearly: min hādhā. No nasal hold.
Practice note:
Do not attempt to nasalize or merge; pronounce the /n/ fully: min (clear) + hādhā.
Example 2
Arabic:
كِتَابًا هُوَ
Transliteration:
kitāban huwa
Why Izhar:
Tanween ـً (kitāban) is followed by ه (hāʼ) — throat letter.
How to pronounce:
Pronounce the tanween -an clearly as a /n/ sound: kitāban huwa — the /n/ is pronounced fully; no nasal hold.
Practice note:
When stopping (waqf) on kitāban, tanween would be dropped — but in continuous recitation with next word pronounced, we use Izhar.
Example 3
Arabic:
مِنْ عِبَادِ
Transliteration:
min ʻibād(i)
Why Izhar:
Noon Sakinah followed by ع (ʻayn) — throat letter.
How to pronounce:
Clear /n/ then ʻayn: min ʻibād. The ʻayn sound follows — do not hide the n.
Pronunciation focus:
ʻayn is pronounced from deep in the throat — we want the /n/ before it to be audible and distinct.
Example 4
Arabic:
مِنْ خَيْرٍ
Transliteration:
min khayrin
Why Izhar:
Noon Sakinah before خ (khāʼ) — throat letter.
How to pronounce:
min khayrin — pronounce n clearly, then khāʼ. No nasal hold.
Example 5
Arabic:
هَدَيْنَا ٱلْقَوْمَ فَمَنِ ٱنْقَطَعَ (constructed-like)
Transliteration:
…fa-man / an-qaṭaʿa (illustrative)
Why Izhar:
When Noon/Tanween meets hamzah (ء/أ) — Izhar.
How to pronounce:
Clear /n/ then hamzah glottal stop pronounced clearly: man a... (the glottal stop may be strong). No ghunnah.
Example 6
Arabic:
قَوْمًا عَصَوْا
Transliteration:
qawman ʻaṣaw
Why Izhar:
Tanween ـً followed by ع (ʻayn).
How to pronounce:
qawman ʻaṣaw — pronounce the /n/ in qawman distinctly, then ʻayn.
Special Situations and Clarifications
A. What if the Following Letter is Hamzat ul-Wasl (همزة الوصل)?
Rule Application
The rule always depends on what is actually pronounced.
- If the hamzat al-wasl is pronounced (for example when starting the word), and it is one of the throat letters (hamzah counts), then Izhar applies.
- If hamzat al-wasl becomes silent in wasl (i.e., it is not pronounced because of preceding vowel or elision), then there is effectively no pronounced hamzah — check the next audible letter and apply the corresponding rule.
Practical rule for learners: Look at the actual pronounced first sound of the next word. If that pronounced sound is a throat letter, apply Izhar.
B. Stopping (Waqf) and Tanween:
If we stop on a word that has tanween, tanween is dropped at the stop — there is no final /n/ heard. Therefore Izhar (which requires an audible /n/) does not apply at that pause. Example: kitāban when stopped becomes kitāb.
C. Noon Sakinah Written vs. Actual Pronunciation
Sometimes Arabic orthography shows hamza or other letters that are not pronounced depending on elision rules; always base the rule on sound, not spelling.
Common Errors Learners Make with Izhar and How to Fix Them
Common Mistakes & Correction Strategies
1. Hiding the Noon (Turning it into Ikhfā)
Mistake: Instead of pronouncing it clearly
Fix: Slow down and practice isolated pair: say only min + hā slowly, concentrate on full /n/ release before hāʼ.
2. Applying Ghunnah (Nasal Hold)
Mistake: Where Izhar requires none
Fix: Practice removing nasal hum: say /n/ with closed nose (no vibration) and feel the difference. Try recording and listen.
3. Attempting to Merge
Mistake: Into the throat letter (not possible practically but sometimes mis-stated)
Fix: Remember throat letters are distant in articulation — merging hides the throat sound; do not merge.
4. Confusing Hamzat al-Wasl Cases
Mistake: Not understanding when hamzat al-wasl is silent
Fix: Learn when hamzat al-wasl is silent; always check what you actually pronounce next.
Exercises and Practice Drills (Targeted for Izhar Mastery)
Practice Drills
Drill A — Isolation Drill
Take these two-word pairs and read them slowly then at normal pace:
- مِنْ هَـ → min ha-
- كِتَابًا هُـ → kitāban hu-
- مِنْ عَـ → min ʻa-
- مِنْ خَـ → min kha-
Focus: pronounce /n/ clearly, no nasal hold.
Drill B — Detection Drill
Read a short passage and underline every Noon Sakinah and Tanween. For each, write the following pronounced letter and mark whether it is a throat letter (if yes → Izhar). This trains recognition.
Drill C — Compare and Contrast
Put side-by-side minimal pairs to feel the difference:
- مِنْ هَـ (izhar) vs مِنْ ثَـ (ikhfā)
- مِنْ عَـ (izhar) vs مِنْ لَـ (idgham without ghunnah)
Reading both will help tune your ear.
Drill D — Record & Check
Record yourself reading example sentences with Izhar and compare to a reliable qāriʼ. Listen for a clear /n/ (not nasalized), and for clarity of the throat letter.
Quick Cheat-Sheet (One-Card Summary)
Essential Izhar Summary
- When to use Izhar: When Noon Sakinah or Tanween is followed by any of ء هـ ع ح غ خ.
- What to do: Pronounce the /n/ clearly (no ghunnah). Then pronounce the throat letter normally.
- Name: Izhar Halqi (from the throat letters).
- Remember: Rule depends on the next pronounced letter. If you stop (waqf) on tanween, tanween is dropped.
Advanced Notes (For When We Go Deeper)
Advanced Considerations
- Transitional cases with hamzat al-wasl require awareness of wasl/waqf rules.
- Different qirāʼāt: some recitation variants may show different ways to pause or vocalise, but Izhar Halqi as a principle is consistent in the primary qirāʼāt.
- Reading quickly vs slowly: In fast, fluent recitation the Izhar must still be audible; it becomes a reflex to release the /n/ fully before the throat sound. Practice slow → medium → normal speeds.
Practice of Izhar Examples From Quran
Below is a long, carefully organized set of Quranic excerpts (short phrase-level selections that commonly appear in the Qur'ān). For each excerpt we:
- Show the Arabic phrase (we bold the word which contains the Noon Sakinah or Tanween).
- Give a transliteration.
- Identify the next letter (the one immediately after the noon/tanween).
- State: Izhar applies because that next letter is one of the throat letters (ء ه ع ح غ خ).
- Explain exactly how to pronounce it (what to feel / hold / avoid).
Note
These are Quranic excerpts commonly used for Tajweed practice.
Izhar Examples Grouped by the Six Halqi (Throat) Letters
Izhar before ه (hāʼ) — Pronounce Clear /n/ (No Ghunnah)
مِنْ هَذَا
- Transliteration: min hādhā
- Next letter: ه (hāʼ) — throat letter.
- Why Izhar: Noon Sakinah followed by ه → Izhar (clear n).
- How to pronounce: say min with a clear alveolar /n/ (no nasal hold), then release into hādhā: min hādhā.
كِتَابًا هُوَ
- Transliteration: kitāban huwa
- Next letter: ه (hāʼ) at start of huwa.
- Why Izhar: Tanween (ـً) → pronounced as /-an/ followed by ه → Izhar.
- How to pronounce: ki-tā-ban hu-wa — pronounce the final /n/ of kitāban fully and plainly; then huwa.
مِنْ هَذِهِ
- Transliteration: min hadhihi
- Next letter: ه.
- How to pronounce: clear /n/ then h; avoid nasalizing the /n/.
Izhar before ء (hamzah) — Pronounce Clear /n/ (No Ghunnah)
مِنْ أَنْعَمْتَ
- Transliteration: min an'amta (as in alladhīna an'amta 'alayhim)
- Next letter: ء/أ (hamzah) — throat/glottal.
- Why Izhar: tanween/noon before hamzah → Izhar.
- How to pronounce: min an'amta — pronounce the /n/ clearly, then the glottal onset of the hamzah; no nasal hold.
مِنْ أَرْضٍ
- Transliteration: min arḍin
- Next letter: أ (hamzah).
- How to pronounce: clear /n/, then hamzah onset: min ar-ḍin.
كِتَابٍ أَحْسَنُ
- Transliteration: kitābin aḥsanu
- Next letter: أ (hamzah) — Izhar.
- How to pronounce: ki-tā-bin aḥ-sa-nu with clear /n/ before hamzah.
Izhar before ع (ʻayn) — Pronounce Clear /n/ (No Ghunnah)
مِنْ عِبَادِ
- Transliteration: min ʻibād(i)
- Next letter: ع (ʻayn) — deep-throat consonant.
- Why Izhar: noon before ʻayn → Izhar.
- How to pronounce: min (clear /n/), then open into the voiced pharyngeal ʻayn: min ʻibād.
قَوْمًا عَادًا
- Transliteration: qawman ʻādan
- Next letter: ع — Izhar.
- How to pronounce: say the /n/ of qawman clearly, then pronounce ʻādan.
كِتَابٍ عَظِيمٍ
- Transliteration: kitābin ʿaẓīmin
- Next letter: ع — Izhar.
- How to pronounce: clear /n/ then the strong voiced pharyngeal ʻayn: kitābin ʿaẓīm.
Izhar before ح (ḥāʼ) — Pronounce Clear /n/ (No Ghunnah)
مِنْ حِكْمَةٍ
- Transliteration: min ḥikmatin
- Next letter: ح (ḥāʼ) — throat letter.
- Why Izhar: noon before ḥāʼ → Izhar.
- How to pronounce: pronounce min clearly (no nasal hold), then ḥikma(tin) starting with breathy deep-throat ḥ.
كِتَابًا حَقٌّ
- Transliteration: kitāban ḥaqq
- Next letter: ح — Izhar.
- How to pronounce: clear /n/ + immediate ḥ; do not nasalize.
مِنْ حَوْلِهِ
- Transliteration: min ḥawlihi
- Next letter: ح — Izhar.
- How to pronounce: min ḥawlihi — clear /n/ then ḥ.
Izhar before غ (ghayn) — Pronounce Clear /n/ (No Ghunnah)
مِنْ غَيْرِ
- Transliteration: min ghayri
- Next letter: غ (ghayn) — throat sound.
- Why Izhar: noon before ghayn → Izhar.
- How to pronounce: clear /n/ then voiced gh produced from upper throat: min ghayri.
كِتَابًا غَيَّرَ
- Transliteration: kitāban ghayyara
- Next letter: غ — Izhar.
- How to pronounce: articulate /n/ plainly, then gh.
مِنْ غَدٍ
- Transliteration: min ghadin
- Next letter: غ — Izhar.
- How to pronounce: min ghadin with an audible /n/ then ghayn.
Izhar before خ (khāʼ) — Pronounce Clear /n/ (No Ghunnah)
مِنْ خَيْرٍ
- Transliteration: min khayrin
- Next letter: خ (khāʼ) — throat/back-of-tongue sound.
- Why Izhar: noon before خ → Izhar.
- How to pronounce: clear /n/, then kh: min khayrin.
كِتَابًا خَالِدٌ
- Transliteration: kitāban khālidun
- Next letter: خ — Izhar.
- How to pronounce: pronounce /n/ clearly then the velar-throat kh.
مِنْ خَلْفِهِ
- Transliteration: min khalfihi
- Next letter: خ — Izhar.
- How to pronounce: clear /n/ — then kh.
For Each Example — Quick Micro-Exercises
3-Step Micro-Drill
For every excerpt above, practise this 3-step micro-drill:
Step 1: Read Slow & Isolate
Say only the first word with noon/tanween (e.g., min… / kitāban…). Make the /n/ very clear, no nasal hum.
Step 2: Add Following Word Slowly
Pause an instant, then say the throat letter (e.g., hādhā), making sure the /n/ remains clear — no ghunnah.
Step 3: Speed Up
Speed up to natural recitation tempo while keeping the clear separation.
Explanatory Summary & What to Listen For (Practice-Focused)
Key Points
- Key identification rule: if the immediately following pronounced letter is one of ء ه ع ح غ خ, we call Izhar Halqi and must pronounce the /n/ clearly (no nasal/ghunnah).
- What it should sound like: a short, distinct /n/ sound, followed by the throat letter with no nasal humming.
- What to avoid: any attempt to merge the n into the following letter, any nasal hold (ghunnah), or weakening the n so it disappears.
Final Quick Practice Set (Read Aloud)
Practice Phrases
Say each phrase aloud, slowly, then normally, applying Izhar:
- مِنْ هَذَا — min hādhā
- كِتَابًا هُوَ — kitāban huwa
- مِنْ عِبَادِ — min ʻibād(i)
- مِنْ خَيْرٍ — min khayrin
- كِتَابٍ أَكْبَرَ — kitābin akbara (tanween before hamzah) — pronounce /n/ clearly then hamzah.
After practising these, test yourself by reading any short sura or passage and identifying every case of Izhar.
Recommended Learning Path
Next Steps After Mastering Izhar
- 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 all Noon Sakinah rules — Ensure comprehensive understanding
- Check common mistakes — Avoid common pronunciation errors
Note: Master Izhar rules first, then study each other rule in detail. Understanding Izhar is essential for proper pronunciation and affects the clarity and beauty of Quranic recitation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Izhar means clear pronunciation of Noon Sakinah and Tanween before throat letters (ء ه ع ح غ خ). The "n" sound is pronounced clearly with no nasal merge or ghunnah. This ensures proper articulation and prevents confusion with other rules like Idgham, Iqlab, or Ikhfā.
The six throat letters cause Izhar: ء (hamzah), ه (hāʼ), ع (ʻayn), ح (ḥāʼ), غ (ghayn), and خ (khāʼ). These are called حروف الحلق (throat letters) and whenever Noon Sakinah or Tanween is followed by any of these six, we must use Izhar Halqi (throat Izhar).
For Izhar: see a Noon Sakinah or Tanween, look at the very next pronounced letter, if it's one of ء ه ع ح غ خ, apply Izhar. Pronounce the /n/ fully and plainly (no ghunnah), then pronounce the throat letter. The rule depends on the actually pronounced next letter, not necessarily the written one.
Izhar means clear pronunciation with no nasal hold. Idgham means merging into the next letter (with or without ghunnah). Iqlab means converting to meem before ب. Ikhfā means partial concealment with ghunnah. Izhar is the clearest and most straightforward rule - just pronounce the /n/ clearly before throat letters.
Throat letters have deep, emphatic articulation that is phonetically distant from the /n/ place (alveolar). Blending or nasalizing would be unnatural and would obscure the throat sound. Tajweed prescribes full separation - the noon is pronounced plainly, then the throat letter is pronounced clearly.
Common mistakes include: hiding the noon (turning it into ikhfā), applying ghunnah where none is required, attempting to merge into throat letters, and confusing hamzat al-wasl cases. Fix these by practicing clear /n/ pronunciation, removing nasal hum, remembering throat letters are distant in articulation, and learning when hamzat al-wasl is silent.
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