Madd Rules in Tajweed: Types, Counts and a Simple Chart

What Is Madd in the Quran?

Madd is an Arabic word. It means to stretch or to make longer. In tajweed, it means you hold a long vowel sound for a set time.

Think of the word 'qaala' (he said). The 'aa' sound is a little longer than a short 'a'. That extra length is a madd. If you cut it short, the word can sound wrong. If you hold it too long, it can also sound wrong.

So madd is about the right length. Not too short, not too long. The rules tell you which length to use and when.

What Are the 3 Madd Letters?

There are only 3 madd letters in Arabic. A letter is a madd letter when it has no vowel of its own and the letter before it has the matching vowel mark.

• Alif after a fatha (the small line on top). Example: 'qaala' (he said).
• Waaw with no vowel after a damma (the small loop on top). Example: 'yaqoolu' (he says).
• Yaa with no vowel after a kasra (the small line below). Example: 'qeela' (it was said).

Natural Madd: Why Is It Always 2 Counts?

The natural madd is the base of all madd rules. In Arabic it is called madd tabee'ee. It happens when a madd letter is not followed by a hamzah or a sukoon. You hold it for 2 counts. No more, no less.

It is called natural because the word needs it to sound right. Without it, 'qaala' would become 'qala', and the sound changes. That is why this madd is never dropped.

Spend real time here before you move on. Most of the madds you meet in the Quran are natural madds. If you get the 2 counts right every time, the longer types will feel easy later. Many teachers keep a new student on natural madd until it comes out the same length each time, without thinking.

Madd Rules Chart: What Are the Main Types and Counts?

Here is a simple madd rules chart for the Hafs from Asim reading. Each line gives the name, what causes it, the count and an example. The examples are written in English letters to help you find them in your mushaf.

Books do not all list the same number of types. Some group them in a different way. The chart below shows the main ones a beginner needs.

• Natural madd (tabee'ee): a madd letter with no hamzah or sukoon after it. 2 counts. Example: 'qaala'.
• Connected madd (muttasil): a hamzah comes right after the madd letter in the same word. 4 or 5 counts. Example: 'jaa'a' (he came).
• Separated madd (munfasil): the madd letter ends one word and a hamzah starts the next word. 4 or 5 counts. Example: 'innaa anzalnaahu' at the start of Surah Al-Qadr.
• Necessary madd (laazim): a fixed sukoon or shaddah comes right after the madd letter. Always 6 counts. Example: 'ad-daalleen', the last word of Al-Fatihah.
• Madd for stopping ('aarid lis-sukoon): you stop on a word, and the madd letter is the second-last letter. 2, 4 or 6 counts. Example: stopping on 'ar-raheem'.
• Madd leen: a waaw or yaa with no vowel comes after a fatha, and you stop on the next letter. 2, 4 or 6 counts. Example: stopping on 'khawf' in Surah Quraysh.
• Substitute madd (badal): a hamzah comes before the madd letter. 2 counts. Example: 'aamanoo' (they believed).

How Do You Count a Madd? The Finger Method

A count (called a harakah) is the time it takes to say one short vowel. Since that is hard to feel at first, most teachers use the fingers. You fold or open one finger for each count at a steady pace.

Try this short plan. Do it for a few minutes each day:

• Step 1: Hold one hand up with your fingers open.
• Step 2: Read a word with a natural madd, like 'qaala'. Fold 2 fingers while you hold the 'aa'.
• Step 3: Read a 4-count madd, like 'jaa'a'. Fold 4 fingers at the same speed.
• Step 4: Read 'ad-daalleen' and fold 6 fingers, using your other hand for the last one.
• Step 5: Go back to 2 counts. Check that your 2 is still short and your 6 is still long.

Why Does Your Chosen Count Have to Stay the Same?

Some types give you a choice, like 4 or 5 counts. You can pick either one. But once you pick, keep it the same for the whole reading. If you hold one connected madd for 4 counts, hold the next one for 4 counts too.

Also keep your speed steady. A count can be a little faster when you read fast and a little slower when you read slowly. That is fine. What matters is that a 2 always sounds shorter than a 4, and a 4 shorter than a 6.

What Are the Most Common Madd Mistakes?

Most madd mistakes come from rushing or from guessing. Here are the ones teachers hear most often:

• Cutting the natural madd so short that it sounds like a short vowel.
• Holding every long vowel for the same time, so 2, 4 and 6 all sound alike.
• Stretching a short vowel that has no madd letter after it.
• Changing from 4 counts to 5 counts in the middle of a surah.
• Missing the 6-count madd in 'ad-daalleen' when reading Al-Fatihah in prayer.

How Can Kids Learn Madd Rules?

Madd rules for kids should be short and fun. Children do not need the Arabic names at the start. They need to hear the sound and copy it.

Here is a simple kids' version. Short sound: say it fast. Long sound with a madd letter: hold it for 2 fingers. Long sound with a wavy line on top: hold it for 4 or more fingers. In most mushafs, that wavy line is a sign that a longer madd is coming.

Make it a game. Ask your child to 'stretch' a word like a piece of gum, then 'snap' it at the right count. Praise the right length, not just the right word. For more ideas, see our guide to tajweed rules for kids.

Why Practise Madd With a Teacher?

You can read about madd, but your ear has to learn it too. A teacher can hear when your 2 counts slip into 3, or when your 6 drops to 4. It is hard to hear that in your own voice.

In a live class, the teacher reads a line, you repeat it, and the teacher fixes the length on the spot. Our Tajweed course works this way, one student and one teacher. If you are still learning the letters, start with our Quran classes for beginners. After madd, a good next step is noon sakinah rules.

Want to try first? You can book a free trial class and read a few lines with a teacher. For plans, see our fees page.