Qalqalah is a key Tajweed rule involving a slight echo or bounce when pronouncing five specific Arabic letters—Qaaf, Taa, Baa, Jeem, and Daal—when they carry a Sukoon. This echo varies by position and strength, with softer sounds in the middle of words (Sughra) and stronger ones when stopping at word endings (Kubra). Mastery requires listening, practice, and expert guidance.

Welcome to one of Tajweed’s most fundamental and commonly applied rules. You will continuously come across the concept of Qalqalah (قلقلة) as you learn to embellish your recitation for Allah’s sake.

Despite its technical name, the concept is straightforward and easy to understand. The slight echo or vibration that certain letters receive is known as qalqalah. This small change can have a profound impact on how clearly you read the Quran.

What is Qalqalah in Tajweed?

Qalqalah is the Tajweed rule that describes the slight echoing, bouncing, or vibrating sound made when pronouncing specific letters that have a Sukoon (سكون). This subtle echo ensures the letter is heard clearly instead of being swallowed or silent.

Qalqalah Meaning in Arabic

Linguistically, the Arabic word Qalqalah (قلقلة) means disturbance, shaking, or vibration. In Tajweed, this translates perfectly to the technical application: we disturb the point of articulation of the letter to create a light, echoing sound.

Now that we understand the concept, let’s meet the letters themselves. Memorizing them is the first practical step to mastering this rule.

What Are the Letters of Qalqalah?

There are five letters of Qalqalah in the Arabic alphabet: Qaaf (ق), Taa (ط), Baa (ب), Jeem (ج), and Daal (د). To make them easy to remember, scholars have grouped them into a simple, memorable phrase.

You can easily recall them using the acronym “Qutbu Jadd” (قطبجد).

How to Identify Qalqalah Letters?

The key is to find one of the five Qutbu Jadd (قطبجد) letters with a Sukoon (ـْ) on it. This Sukoon can be explicitly written on the letter, or it can be an implied Sukoon that occurs when you stop at the end of a verse on a word ending in a Qalqalah letter.

So, you’ve found a Qalqalah letter. When exactly does the echo happen? 

When to Apply Qalqalah?

The application of this rule is precise, tied to two primary situations where these letters need a special “release” of sound to be heard correctly.

Let’s explore these two scenarios in more detail, as understanding the “why” and “when” is the key to mastering your application of this beautiful rule.

1. A Sakin Qalqalah Letter in the Middle

This occurs when one of the five Qalqalah letters appears in the middle of a word (or a phrase read as one unit) with an original Sukoon on it. This means the Sukoon is a natural part of the word’s structure, not something that appears because we stopped.

Without the Qalqalah, the sound of the letter would be completely trapped and muffled. 

This application is what we later refer to as Qalqalah Sughra (the lesser echo), and its echo is gentle.

Example of a Qalqalah Letter in the Middle of a Word

For example, in the word يَجْعَلُونَ (yaj’alūna), the letter ‘Jeem’ (ج) has a Sukoon and is in the middle. 

We must apply a light Qalqalah to pronounce it clearly.

2. A Qalqalah Letter at the End of a Word (When Stopping)

This second scenario happens when you stop your recitation on a word that ends with a Qalqalah letter. 

Here, the letter gets an “incidental Sukoon“, which means the Sukoon only exists because you are pausing.

Think of it this way: if you were to continue reading without stopping, the letter would have its own vowel (Fatha, Kasra, or Damma). But the rule of stopping in Arabic recitation requires you to make the last letter sakin (silent). This newly formed silence on a Qalqalah letter is what triggers the rule.

Example of a Qalqalah Letter at the End of a Word

A perfect example is the first verse of Surah Al-Ikhlas, which ends in أَحَدٌ (ahadun). 

When we stop on this word, we drop the tanween damm and make the final ‘Daal’ (د) sakin. 

It is this incidental Sukoon that requires us to pronounce a strong echo, a Qalqalah Kubra.

Levels of Qalqalah

There are three distinct levels, or strengths, of Qalqalah that a reciter should be aware of. Understanding these levels adds a higher degree of precision to your recitation.

1. Strongest Qalqalah

This occurs when you stop on a Qalqalah letter that has a Shaddah (ّ). The echo here is the most pronounced.

Example of Strongest Qalqalah

الْحَقُّ Al-Haqq – The Truth. 

Here, you stop on the letter ‘Qaaf’ (ق) which has a Shaddah, producing the strongest echo.

2. Strong Qalqalah 

This is when you stop on a Qalqalah letter at the end of a word that does not have a Shaddah. This is the most common type of strong Qalqalah.

Example of Strong Qalqalah

مُحِيطٌ Muheet – Encompassing.

 When stopping, a strong echo is made on the letter ‘Taa’ (ط) at the end.

3. Weak Qalqalah

This occurs when the Qalqalah letter is in the middle of a word or phrase and has a Sukoon. The echo is softer and more subtle.

قبْل qbl – Before. 

The letter ‘Baa’ (ب) is in the middle with a Sukoon, requiring a weak or lesser echo.

The best way to learn is with an expert guide. Quranica’s Learn Tajweed for Beginners Course provides a step-by-step curriculum to help you master Qalqalah and other essential rules.

Types of Qalqalah (Qalqalah Sughra And Kubra) With Examples

Qalqalah Sughra, known as the “lesser echo,” is a subtle vibration on a Qalqalah letter (قطبجد). This occurs when one of these letters has a Sukoon (ـْ) in the middle of a word, like the ‘ب’ in يَبْتَغُونَ (Yabtaghoona), or at the end of a word when the recitation continues without a pause, as in قَدْ أَفْلَحَ (Qadaflaha). 

The echo is considered minor because it’s brief and flows smoothly into the next sound, ensuring the rhythm of the recitation is not interrupted.

Conversely, Qalqalah Kubra, or the “greater echo,” is a more pronounced and distinct sound that happens when a reciter stops on a word ending in a Qalqalah letter. 

The pause gives the echo more time to resonate, making it stronger. This category includes the “strong” Qalqalah, which applies when stopping on a letter without a Shaddah (e.g., the ‘ق’ in الْفَلَقِ (al−falaq)), and the “strongest” Qalqalah (Akbar), which occurs when the letter also has a Shaddah (ّ), requiring both emphasis and a powerful echo upon release, as in وَتَبَّ (watabb).

How to Learn, Recognize, and Memorise Them?

Mastering Qalqalah is a journey of listening, practice, and correction. With the right approach, anyone can perfect this beautiful rule.

Here are a few practical tips to help you on your way:

1. Focus on the Acronym

Constantly repeat “Qutbu Jadd” (قطبجد) to yourself. It is the key that unlocks the rule.

2. Listen Carefully

Pay close attention to the recitation of renowned Qaris like Sheikh Al-Hussary or Sheikh Ayman Suwayd. Listen for that distinct “bouncing” sound.

3. Practice Out Loud

Read verses containing Qalqalah letters aloud. Record yourself and compare your pronunciation to that of an expert reciter.

4. Seek Expert Feedback

There is no substitute for a qualified teacher who can listen to you, pinpoint your mistakes, and guide you toward the correct pronunciation.

Common Pitfalls Related to Qalqalah in Tajweed

As with any new skill, students often make a few common mistakes when learning Qalqalah. Being aware of these can help you avoid them from the start.

Here are some errors to watch out for:

1. Adding a Vowel

A frequent mistake is turning the echo into a full vowel, like a Fatha, Kasra, or Damma. The Qalqalah should be a quick vibration, not a new sound. For example, pronouncing Ahad as Ahada.

2. Skipping the Qalqalah

Some learners, especially when stopping at the end of a verse, forget to apply the rule entirely. This makes the letter silent and unclear.

3. Exaggerating the Echo

While the Qalqalah needs to be clear, it shouldn’t be overly forceful or explosive. It should sound natural and integrated into the flow of the recitation.

Master Qalqalah and More with Quranica

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Authentic Learning

Our native Arab teachers are highly qualified, with many being graduates of the prestigious Al-Azhar University.

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Your recitation will be guided by experts who hold Ijazah (a formal license to teach the Quran).

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Comprehensive Curriculum

Whether you’re starting with the alphabet in our Arabic lessons for beginners, aiming for perfection in our advanced Tajweed courses, or dreaming of memorizing the Quran in our Hifz programs for adults and kids, we have a place for you. We offer specialized classes for all, including online Tajweed classes for sisters in a comfortable environment.

Explore our full range of courses.

FAQs

Let’s quickly recap the most important points about this essential Tajweed rule.

1. How many Qalqalah letters are there in Quran?

There are five letters of Qalqalah: Qaaf (ق), Taa (ط), Baa (ب), Jeem (ج), and Daal (د), remembered by the phrase “Qutbu Jadd” (قطبجد).

2. How many types of Qalqalah are there?

For learning purposes, there are two main types of Qalqalah: Qalqalah Sughra (the lesser echo, in the middle of a word) and Qalqalah Kubra (the greater echo, when stopping at the end of a word).

Conclusion

Qalqalah is a foundational Tajweed rule that adds a distinct bouncing sound when reciting specific Arabic letters with Sukoon, enhancing clarity and preserving the beauty of Quranic pronunciation. The term itself means “vibration” or “disturbance” in Arabic.

There are five Qalqalah letters: Qaaf (ق), Taa (ط), Baa (ب), Jeem (ج), and Daal (د), remembered through the phrase Qutbu Jadd (قطبجد). The rule applies when these letters carry a Sukoon, whether naturally within a word or due to stopping at the end of a verse.

Qalqalah is applied in two scenarios: within a word (Qalqalah Sughra – subtle echo) and at the end of a word when pausing (Qalqalah Kubra – stronger echo). The strength of the echo varies based on the letter’s position and whether it carries a Shaddah.

The rule is further divided into three levels: weak (in the middle), strong (at the end without Shaddah), and strongest (at the end with Shaddah). Clear Quranic examples illustrate each type, helping learners recognize and apply them correctly.