Mim Sukun

Ikhfa Syafawi

The mim is concealed at the lips.

إِخْفَاء شَفَوِي
▶ Open the full lesson + audio in the app

What is this rule?

A silent mim ( مْ ) meeting ba ( ب ) is read faintly, with the lips brought together lightly, accompanied by a nasal hum.

How to read it

Touch the lips together lightly (not fully closed), then hum before pronouncing the ba.

Trigger letters

ب
NoteSilent mim + ba → concealed. Don't confuse it with iqlab; iqlab is for the nun, this is for the mim.

Examples of Ikhfa Syafawi in the Qur'an

Surah Al-Fil 105:4
تَرْمِيهِم بِحِجَارَةٍ

tarmīhim biḥijārah

"Striking them with stones of hard clay,"

Surah Al-Baqarah 2:8
وَمَا هُم بِمُؤْمِنِينَ

wa mā hum bimu'minīn

"And of the people are some who say, "We believe in Allāh and the Last Day," but they are not believers."

Frequently asked questions

What is Ikhfa Syafawi in tajwid?

The mim is concealed at the lips. A silent mim ( مْ ) meeting ba ( ب ) is read faintly, with the lips brought together lightly, accompanied by a nasal hum.

How do you pronounce Ikhfa Syafawi?

Touch the lips together lightly (not fully closed), then hum before pronouncing the ba.

What is an example of Ikhfa Syafawi in the Quran?

One example is in Surah Al-Fil 105:4: "تَرْمِيهِم بِحِجَارَةٍ" (tarmīhim biḥijārah) — "Striking them with stones of hard clay,".

Other rules in Mim Sukun

Idgham Mimi
Mim merges into mim + nasalisation.
إِدْغَام مِيمِي
Izhar Syafawi
The mim is pronounced clearly at the lips.
إِظْهَار شَفَوِي

See all Mim Sukun rules → · Complete list of rules →