Sifaat al Huroof (Characteristics) of Arabic Letters

Introduction

The second study pertaining to pronunciation is that of ṣifaat (singular: ṣifah, meaning description, characteristic, attribute or quality). The word ṣifaat (or ṣifah) refers to the special characteristics or qualities found in each letter.

The purpose of defining ṣifaat is first, to make sure they are present during pronunciation and second, to differentiate between letters whose origin is in the same makhraj, such as (ت) and (ط), (ذ) and (ظ), or (س) and (ص). When a letter emerges from the correct makhraj and all its ṣifaat (qualities) are observed, then accurate pronunciation is obtained.

Ṣifaat are of two types: permanent (الصفات اللازمة) and temporary (الصفات العارضة). The latter will be described under the sections dealing with the rules of tajweed. Permanent qualities, however, are those inherent in the letter, without which correct pronunciation will not be realized.

Scholars have differed on the number of sifaat. Among them, some have brought their number to 17 sifaat. This is the opinion of Imam Ibn Al Jazary. Some have increased their number to 44 sifaat. Others excluded certain characteristics – sifat (such as “idhlaq” and its opposite “ismat“, as well as “inhiraf” and “leen“) and counted the ghunna among them, bringing their number to 14.

We will stay at the teaching that there are 17 compulsory sifaat. Thus we distinguish two main categories:

● The Permanent Qualities With Opposites

● The Permanent Qualities Without Opposites

Sifaat al Huroof

A. Ṣifaat Without Opposites (الصِفَاتُ الْمُتَضادَة).

▪ Al Hams (الْهَمْسُ) vs Al Jahr (الجَهْرُ)

1. Al-Hams 

Al-hams means  “the whisper”. Technically means the continuation of the breath when pronouncing the letter due to weakness in its origin, causing weakness in its reliance on its makhraj. The following letters have this quality:

ف – ح – ث – ه – ش – خ – ص – س – ك – ت

These letters are compelled in this sentence:

فَحَثَّهُ شَخْص سَكَت

2. Al-Jahr

Al-Jahr means “the loud voice”. Technically means the discontinuation of the breath when pronouncing the letter due to strength in its origin, causing it to rely greatly on its makhraj. The following letters have this quality:

ا – ب –  ج – د – ذ –  – ز- ض -  ط – ظ – ع -غ - ق – ل – م – ن – و - ء – ي

▪ Ash-Shidda (الشِّدَّةُ) vs Ar-Rakhawa (الرَّخَاوَةُ)

3. Ash-Shidda

Ash-shidda means “strength or force”. It is a stop of the sound flow during the pronunciation of the 8 letters:

أ – ج – د – ق – ط – ب – ك - ت

 These letters are compelled in this sentence:

 أَجِدْ قَطٍ بَكَتْ

4. Ar-Rakhawa

Ar-rakhawa means “flexibility”. This is the sound flow as you pronounce the remaining 15 letters:

و – ه – ف – غ – ظ – ض -ص ش -س -ز – ذ – خ – ح – ث – ا

Note:

There is sifat Al-Bayna i.e between shidda and rakhawa. It is also called at-tawasut (التَّوَسُط). The sound is neither completely cut off (sound stop) as for ash-Shidda nor long (sound flow) as for ar-Rakhawa. Intermediate characteristic of the following 5 letters:

ل – ن – ع – م - ر

These letters are compelled in this sentence:

 لِنْ عُمَر

▪ Al-Istila (الاِسْتِعَلاءُ) vs Al-Istifal (الاسْتِفَالُ)

5. Al-Istila

Al-istiala means “elevation”. The pronunciation of the letter causes upward pressure on the palate. 7 letters are undergoing this pressure:

 خ – ص – ض -غ – ط – ق - ظ

These letters are compelled in this sentence:

خُصَّ ضَغْطٍ قِط

6. Al-Istifal

Al-istifal means “lowering”. Pronunciation of the letter causing pressure to go down the palate, and this for the remaining letters (22 letters).

 ا – ب – ت – ث – ج – ح – د – ذ – ر - ز – س - ش – ع – ف – ك – ل – م – ن – ه – و -ء – ي

▪ Al-Itbaq (الإِطْبَاق) vs Al-Infitah (الإِنْفِتَاح) 

7. Al-Itbaq

Ithbaq means “closing”. The meeting of the tongue and what is opposite it from the roof of the mouth – Its letters are four:

 ص – ض – ط - ظ

8. Al-Infitah

Al-infitah means “opening”. The separation of the tongue from the roof of the mouth when pronouncing the other 25 remaining letters:

 ا – ب – ت – ث – ج – ح – خ – د – ذ -ر -ز – س - ش – ع – غ – ف – ق – ك – ل – م – ن – ه  – و – ء – ي

▪ Al-Idhlaq (الإِذْلاقُ ) vs  Al-Ismat (الإِصْمَات)

9. Al-Idhlaq

Literally means “fluency, purity in speech”. Technically means the articulation of the letters with utmost ease from the sides of the tongue or lips as if they are slipping away.

There are 6 letters:

ف – ر – م – ن – ل -  ب

 These letters are compelled in this sentence:

 فَرَّ مِنْ لُبٍّ

10. Al-Ismat

Literally means “desistance”. It is a heaviness that affects the letters of al ismat by their pronunciation. The letters concerned are the remaining 23:

ا – ت – ث – ج – ح – خ – د – ذ – ز – س –  ش – ص - ض – ط – ظ – ع -غ – ق – ك – ه – و -ء – ي

B. Ṣifaat Without Opposites (الصِفَاتُ الْمُتَضادَة).

Letters with distinctive characteristics having no opposites - الصِفَات غَيْر المُتَضادَة

11. As-Safeer (الصَفِير)

In the Arabic language, as-safîr means: whistling. It is a sound emerging between the tip of the tongue and the upper central incisors which resembles the sound of a bird. This is the whistle that accompanies the letters:

ص – ز – س

Note: Zaay (ز) is more a buzzing sound.

12. Al-Qalqala (القَلْقَلَة)

In the Arabic language, al qalqala means restlessness, instability, disturbance. It is a strong impact resulting from the pronunciation of a Sakeena letter and due to the fact of the sudden separation of 2 organs of pronunciation without any opening of the mouth or rounding of the lips or lowering of the jaw inferior. This characteristic – sifat is also a rule of Tajweed. This is a strong characteristic. These letters are:

ق – ط – ب – ج – د

These letters are compelled in this sentence:

 قُطُبٌ جَدٍ

There are 3 levels of Qalqala as regards to the strength of its pronunciation.

• Strongest: when making waqf (stopping) on a mushaddad letter of qalqala.

• Strong: when making waqf on a sakin letter of qalqala.

• Weak: when the sakin letter of qalqala is in the middle of a word.

13. Al-Leen (اللِّيْن)

In the Arabic language, al-leen means ease or softness. Technically, it is pronunciation without exertion or difficulty. This is a sifat of Waw (و) and Ya’ (ي) with sukoon prececed by fathah. These are not to be confused with the vowel sounds of wau sakinah (وْ) and ya’ sakinah (يْ) which will be discussed under the section of madd. This is a weak characteristic.

14. Al-Inhiraf (الإِنْحِراف)

In the Arabic language, al-inhirâf means deviation. This is the deflection of the sound of the letters from their original point of articulation. This is a strong characteristic. This concerns the 2 letters:

ل – ر

15. At-Takreer (التَّكْرِير)

In the Arabic language, at-takrîr means repetition. Technically it means the trilling of the tongue while pronouncing a letter that causes the letter to be pronounced more than once. This is found only in Raa’ (ر).

16. At-Tafashee (التَّفَشِي)

In the Arabic language, at-tafashee means propagation. It is the spread of air throughout the mouth during pronunciation. This concerns the letter Sheen (ش).

17. Al-Istitala (الإِسْتِطَالَة)

In the Arabic language, al istitala means elongation. This is a weak characteristic. This is the extension of sound over the entire edge of the tongue from front to back. This is a quality of dad (ض) and is most noticeable when it is accompanied by a sukoon

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