The rules of Noon Saakin (نُون سَاكِن) and Tanween (تَنْوِين) are among the essential principles to be learned in Tajweed (the proper recitation of the Quran). Understanding and practicing these rules while reciting the Quran improves the beauty of Quranic recitation.
If you’re struggling with these concepts, seeking guidance from a certified Arabic tutor can help you master them effectively. This article will explain the definitions, categories, and practical examples of these rules from the Quran so that you can comprehend them properly.
Noon Saakin (نُون سَاكِن) Definition:
This refers to the Arabic letter Noon (ن) with sukoon (ْ ). It appears in the middle or at the end of an Arabic word.
Example:
مَن يُضْلِلِ (Surah Al-Fatihah, 1:7)
Tanween (تَنْوِين) Definition:
Tanween is the Noon “ن” sound at the end of a noun, represented by a double vowel (ــً, ــٍ, or ــٌ) over or beneath the last letter of an Arabic word. Tanween comes only at the last letter of Arabic words and signifies indefiniteness.
Examples:
- كِتَابٌ (a book)
- كِتَابًا (a book, accusative case)
- كِتَابٍ (a book, genitive case)
Rules of Noon Saakin and Tanween
There are four primary rules of Noon Saakin and Tanween:
Izhar (إظهار):
Izhar means “clarity”. The sound of Noon Saakin or Tanween is pronounced clearly without nasalization (Ghunnah). This applies when any of the throat letters comes after Noon Sakin or Tanween, which are:
ء, ه, ع, ح, غ, خ.
Examples:
- مِنْهُمْ (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:8)
- عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:32)
Idgham (إدغام):
Idgham means “merging.” Noon Saakin or Tanween is not pronounced explicitly but is merged with the following letter, sometimes with nasalization (ghunnah) and sometimes without it.
With Nasalization (Ghunnah):
ي, ن, م, و
Example:
- مَنْ يَقُولُ (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:11)
- غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:173)
Without Nasalization (Ghunnah):
ل, ر
Example:
- مِنْ لَدُنْهُ (Surah Al-Kahf, 18:65)
- غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ (Surah An-Nisa, 4:96)
Iqlaab (إقلاب):
Iqlaab means “conversion.” When Noon Saakin or Tanween is followed by ب, the Noon sound is converted into the Meem (م) sound, accompanied by ghunnah/nasalization.
Examples:
- مِن بَعْدِ (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:27)
- سَمِيعٌ بَصِيرٌ (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:137)
Ikhfa (إخفاء):
Ikhfa means “to hide.” Noon Saakin or Tanween is pronounced with nasalization but by hiding the sound of Noon when it is followed by any of the 15 letters not included in Izhar, Idgham, or Iqlaab.
Examples:
- مِنْ قَبْلِهِ (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:25)
- عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:235)
