Mad (Lengthening)

Mad Farq

Distinguishing the question hamzah → 6 counts.

مَدّ فَرْق

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What is this rule?

A question (istifham) hamzah meeting the definite article alif lam is stretched to 6 counts, to distinguish it from a statement.

How to read it

Stretch for 6 counts: 'āllāhu…' (not 'allāhu') so it reads as a question.

Trigger letters

A question (istifham) hamzah meeting the definite alif lam.

ءَآ

NoteOnly in a few places: An-Naml 59, Yunus 59, Al-An'am 143–144.

Examples of Mad Farq in the Qur'an

Surah An-Naml 27:59

ءَآللَّهُ خَيْرٌ أَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ

āllāhu khairun ammā yusyrikūn

"Say, [O Muḥammad], "Praise be to Allāh, and peace upon His servants whom He has chosen. Is Allāh better or what they associate with Him?""

Frequently asked questions

What is Mad Farq in tajwid?

Distinguishing the question hamzah → 6 counts. A question (istifham) hamzah meeting the definite article alif lam is stretched to 6 counts, to distinguish it from a statement.

How do you pronounce Mad Farq?

Stretch for 6 counts: 'āllāhu…' (not 'allāhu') so it reads as a question.

What is an example of Mad Farq in the Quran?

One example is in Surah An-Naml 27:59: "ءَآللَّهُ خَيْرٌ أَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ" (āllāhu khairun ammā yusyrikūn) — "Say, [O Muḥammad], "Praise be to Allāh, and peace upon His servants whom He has chosen. Is Allāh better or what they associate with Him?"".

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 Badal
Hamzah meeting a mad letter → 2 counts.مَدّ بَدَل 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 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 →