Rules of Laam Jalalah (Tafkheem and Tarqeeq)

The Tafkheem and Tarqeeq of Laam Jalalah

The letter “laam” in lafthul jalaalah is “laam” in word “Allah” (الله) and “Allahumma” (اَللَّهُمَّ). The rules on lam jalalah depends on the previous letter's harakah. There are two rules apply to “lam jalalah”, namely tafkheem and tarqeeq.

Laam Jalalah

1. Tafkheem

The first rule when we read lam jalalah is tafkheem and some call it taghleeth. Both terms have the same meaning. Linguistically, it is thick or heavy sound. In terms of Tajweed, it is the thickness/fullness that fills the mouth with the pronunciation of certain letters.

If there is a Fathah or a Dhammah before the word of Allah or Allahuma, then laam jalalah will be heavy. Letter “laam” which reads heavily is called laam mufakhamah.

Example:

وَاللهُ – إِنَّ اللهَ – وَجْهُ اللهُ – اَللَّهُمَّ – نَصْرُ اللهِ

The way to pronounce it is that the vowel “a” is sounded like o or a in the word ball.

2. Tarqeeq

The second rule of how to read lam jalalah is tarqeeq. Literally it means light or thin. Technically, it is the thinness (flatness) found in the mouth while pronouncing some letters. If there is a kasrah before the word Allah or Allahumma, then the Laam in Allah or Allahuma will be light.

Letter “laam” which reads lightly is called laam muraqqaqah.

Example:

بِسْمِ اللهِ – وَكَفَى بِاللهِ - قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ

Notice: A reader must practice a lot under the guidance of a teacher in order to practice it properly.