Mad (Lengthening)

Mad Badal

Hamzah meeting a mad letter → 2 counts.

مَدّ بَدَل
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What is this rule?

A hamzah followed by a mad letter ( ا و ي ) within one word. Read long for 2 counts. It is called 'badal' (substitute) because it originally came from two hamzahs.

How to read it

Pronounce the hamzah, then stretch for 2 counts: 'āmanū', 'īmān', 'ūtū'.

Trigger letters

ءَاءِيءُو

Examples of Mad Badal in the Qur'an

Surah Al-'Asr 103:3
إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ

illallażīna āmanū wa 'amiluṣ-ṣāliḥāt

"Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience."

Surah Quraysh 106:1
لِإِيلَٰفِ

li-īlāf

"For the accustomed security of the Quraysh -"

Surah Al-Bayyinah 98:4
أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ

ūtul-kitāb

"Nor did those who were given the Scripture become divided until after there had come to them clear evidence."

Frequently asked questions

What is Mad Badal in tajwid?

Hamzah meeting a mad letter → 2 counts. A hamzah followed by a mad letter ( ا و ي ) within one word. Read long for 2 counts. It is called 'badal' (substitute) because it originally came from two hamzahs.

How do you pronounce Mad Badal?

Pronounce the hamzah, then stretch for 2 counts: 'āmanū', 'īmān', 'ūtū'.

Which letters trigger Mad Badal?

There are 3 letters: ءَا ءِي ءُو.

What is an example of Mad Badal in the Quran?

One example is in Surah Al-'Asr 103:3: "إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ" (illallażīna āmanū wa 'amiluṣ-ṣāliḥāt) — "Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.".

Other rules in Mad (Lengthening)

Mad Thabi'i
The basic 2-count lengthening.
مَدّ طَبِيعِي
Mad Wajib Muttasil
Mad + hamzah in one word → 4–5 counts.
مَدّ وَاجِب مُتَّصِل
Mad Jaiz Munfasil
Mad at the end of a word + hamzah in the next → 2/4/5 counts.
مَدّ جَائِز مُنْفَصِل
Mad Lin (Layyin)
Silent wau/ya after a fathah, stretched when stopping.
مَدّ لِين
Mad 'Aridh Lissukun
Mad thabi'i before the final letter when stopping → 2/4/6 counts.
مَدّ عَارِض لِلسُّكُون
Mad Iwadh
Tanwin fathah read long when stopping.
مَدّ عِوَض
Mad Tamkin
Doubled ya meeting a silent ya → 2 counts.
مَدّ تَمْكِين
Mad Silah Qashirah
Ha dhamir between two vowels → 2 counts.
مَدّ صِلَة قَصِيرَة
Mad Silah Thawilah
Ha dhamir meeting a hamzah → 4–5 counts.
مَدّ صِلَة طَوِيلَة
Mad Farq
Distinguishing the question hamzah → 6 counts.
مَدّ فَرْق
Mad Lazim Kilmi Mutsaqqal
Mad meeting a doubled letter in one word → 6 counts.
مَدّ لَازِم كِلْمِي مُثَقَّل
Mad Lazim Kilmi Mukhaffaf
Mad meeting a sukun (not a doubled letter) in one word → 6 counts.
مَدّ لَازِم كِلْمِي مُخَفَّف
Mad Lazim Harfi Mutsaqqal
Opening letters that merge → a heavy 6 counts.
مَدّ لَازِم حَرْفِي مُثَقَّل
Mad Lazim Harfi Mukhaffaf
Opening letters without merging → a light 6 counts.
مَدّ لَازِم حَرْفِي مُخَفَّف

See all Mad (Lengthening) rules → · Complete list of rules →