Noon Sakinah & Tanween - Izhar, Idgham, Iqlab, Ikhfa
Four rules govern every silent noon and tanween: clarity (izhar), merging (idgham), conversion (iqlab) and hiding (ikhfa) - the most-used tajweed rules in the Quran.
Also searched as: noon sakinah rules | izhar idgham iqlab ikhfa | tajweed rules urdu | noon sakina
How to
Steps in order
- 1Memorise the six izhar letters (throat).
- 2Learn idgham letters (yarmalun) with/without ghunnah.
- 3Practise iqlab before ba and ikhfa before the fifteen.
- 4Apply to one page of recitation daily, marking each case.
The four rules
Izhar (clear): before throat letters (hamza, ha, ayn, ha, ghayn, kha) pronounce noon plainly. Idgham (merge): before ya, meem, noon, waw (with ghunnah) and lam, ra (without) - merge into the next letter.
Iqlab (convert): before ba, turn noon into a hidden meem with ghunnah. Ikhfa (hide): before the remaining fifteen letters, hide noon with nasalisation.
Meem sakinah too
Silent meem follows the same logic in three: hide before ba (ikhfa shafawi), merge before meem (idgham), show clearly before the rest (izhar shafawi). Master noon first; meem follows the same ear.
Sources & review
Classical tajweed manuals (Tuhfat al-Atfal tradition); practice per qualified teachers
Learn personal details from a qualified teacher; minor school differences exist.
Educational content — not a fatwa. See methodology and disclaimer.
Reviewed • 2026-01-01Our methodology
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How long is ghunnah held?
Two counts (harakah) - about one second - for idgham with ghunnah, iqlab and ikhfa.
What is idgham with and without ghunnah?
Ya, meem, noon, waw merge with nasalisation; lam and ra merge cleanly without it.
Do these rules apply in prayer recitation?
Yes - they are part of correct recitation everywhere, including salah.
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