Madd (Elongation)
The four types of Qur'anic elongation
Madd (المد) means to lengthen a sound. In Qur'anic recitation, this lengthening is measured, consistent, and rule-based, not stylistic. Length is counted in ḥarakāt (counts), where one count is roughly the time it takes to say a short vowel.
The Four Types of Madd
Each type is triggered by a specific pattern and has its own count.
Madd Ṭabīʿī
Natural Madd
The default madd. If no special condition follows, this is what you apply. Triggered when a madd letter (ا، و، ي) appears with its matching vowel (fatḥah, ḍammah, kasrah) and no hamzah or sukūn after.
Examples
- قَالَqā-la
- يَقُولُya-qū-lu
- فِيهِfī-hi
- نُورnūr
The rule
2 counts. No more, no less.
Madd Wājib Muttaṣil
Connected Madd (Obligatory)
A madd letter followed by a hamzah in the same word. It is called wājib because the lengthening is mandatory. Pick 4 or 5 counts and stay consistent throughout your recitation.
Examples
- جَاءَjāāʾa
- السَّمَاءِas-samāāʾ
- سُوءَsūūʾa
- شَيْءٌshayʾ
The rule
Always lengthen. Pick 4 or 5 counts and be consistent.
Madd Jāʾiz Munfaṣil
Separated Madd (Permissible)
A madd letter at the end of a word, followed by a hamzah at the start of the next word. Permissible to lengthen or keep natural. Whatever you choose, keep it consistent throughout your recitation.
Examples
- فِي أَنفُسِكُمْfī ān-fu-si-kum
- قَالُوا إِنَّاqālū īn-nā
- إِنَّا أَعْطَيْنَاكَinnā āʿ-ṭay-nā-ka
The rule
If you lengthen it, always lengthen it. If not, always keep it short.
Madd Lāzim
Necessary Madd
The strongest and longest madd. Occurs when a madd letter is followed by a permanent sukūn, either in a word or in a disconnected letter at the start of a sūrah. Always 6 counts.
Examples
- المAlif Lāāām Mīīīm
- الضَّالِّينَaḍ-ḍāāāllīn
- الطَّامَّةaṭ-ṭāāāmmah
The rule
Always 6 counts. No shorter, no longer.
Madd Lāzim Variations
Two forms of the 6-count necessary madd.
Ḥarfī — Beginning Letters
In disconnected letters at the start of a sūrah
When a disconnected letter name contains a madd followed by a sukūn, lengthen to 6 counts.
- المAlif Lāāām Mīīīm
- كهيعصKāāf Hāā Yāā ʿAyyyn Ṣāāād
- حمḤāā Mīīm
Kalimī — Within a Word
Less common, but very important
A madd letter inside a word followed by a permanent sukūn or a shaddah that carries the sukūn.
- الضَّالِّينَaḍ-ḍāāāllīn
- الطَّامَّةaṭ-ṭāāāmmah
Opening Letters: Not all are lengthened
Some disconnected opening letters do not contain madd. Read the letter name and decide based on whether madd is present.
Read normally (no madd)
ألف · لام
Alif alone, and lām when not followed by an internal sukūn.
Have madd
م س ص ن ق ك ي ع ط ه ر
Key teaching rules
- •Madd is measured, not emotional. Do not stretch because it “sounds nice”.
- •Consistency matters more than length. Picking 4 counts everywhere is better than random 2 to 6.
- •Never add a jump or break mid-madd. One smooth airflow from start to finish.