Silent mim ( مْ ) has 3 rules. All are called 'syafawi' (labial) because they are articulated with the lips ( syafah ).
| Rule | Letters / form | How to read |
|---|---|---|
| Ikhfa Syafawi | ب | The mim is concealed at the lips. |
| Idgham Mimi | م | Mim merges into mim + nasalisation. |
| Izhar Syafawi | ء ت ث ج ح خ د ذ ر ز س ش ص ض ط ظ ع غ ف ق ك ل ن هـ و ي | The mim is pronounced clearly at the lips. |
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.
Touch the lips together lightly (not fully closed), then hum before pronouncing the ba.
tarmīhim biḥijārah
"Striking them with stones of hard clay,"
Full explanation of Ikhfa Syafawi →
Mim merges into mim + nasalisation. A silent mim ( مْ ) meeting another mim ( م ) merges into a single doubled mim, accompanied by a nasal hum of about 2 counts.
Hold the lips in the 'm' position while humming, then release into the letter that follows.
aṭ'amahum min jū'
"Who has fed them, [saving them] from hunger and made them safe, [saving them] from fear."
Full explanation of Idgham Mimi →
The mim is pronounced clearly at the lips. A silent mim ( مْ ) meeting any letter other than ba and mim is pronounced clearly, without nasalisation.
Say the 'm' clearly, then move straight on to the next letter — don't hold the lips.
alam tara kaifa
"Have you not considered, [O Muḥammad], how your Lord dealt with the companions of the elephant?"
Full explanation of Izhar Syafawi →
Coloured on these verses of juz 'amma — open the surah to see every rule in each verse:
There are 3: Ikhfa Syafawi, Idgham Mimi, Izhar Syafawi.
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.
Mim merges into mim + nasalisation. A silent mim ( مْ ) meeting another mim ( م ) merges into a single doubled mim, accompanied by a nasal hum of about 2 counts.
The mim is pronounced clearly at the lips. A silent mim ( مْ ) meeting any letter other than ba and mim is pronounced clearly, without nasalisation.