By the end of this lesson
- Know waqf, sakt and qaṭʻ
- Stop on a word correctly
- Read the main waqf signs
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Waqf (stopping) | Cutting the sound and taking a breath, intending to continue |
| Sakt (pausing) | A short pause of about two counts without breathing |
| Qaṭʻ (ending) | Finishing the recitation altogether |
In Ḥafṣ there are four places where sakt is read: al-Kahf 18:1–2, Yā-Sīn 36:52, al-Qiyāmah 75:27 and al-Muṭaffifīn 83:14. Your mushaf marks each with a small س.
How a word changes at a stop
- A final vowel becomes a sukūn: ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ → ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمْ.
- Tanwīn fatḥah becomes a 2-count alif: عَلِيمًا → عَلِيمَا.
- Tāʼ marbūṭah becomes a sākin hāʼ: ٱلْقَارِعَةُ → ٱلْقَارِعَهْ.
- If the last letter is a qalqalah letter, its echo becomes stronger.
Signs in the mushaf
| Sign | Meaning |
|---|---|
| مـ | Stop here: continuing could change the meaning |
| لا | Don't stop here; if you do, go back and join |
| ج | Stopping and continuing are equally fine |
| صلى | Continuing is better |
| قلى | Stopping is better |
| ∴ ∴ | Stop at one of the two marked places, not both |
PracticeHow do you say it when you stop?
رَحْمَةًShow answer
رَحْمَهْ (raḥmah)
سَمِيعًاShow answer
سَمِيعَا (samīʻā)
ٱلْفَلَقِShow answer
ٱلْفَلَقْ, with strong qalqalah
نَسْتَعِينُShow answer
نَسْتَعِينْ, madd 2, 4 or 6