Al-Madd Al-‘Aarid Lissukoon is a common Tajweed rule where a Madd letter (Alif, Yaa, or Waw) is lengthened for 2, 4, or 6 beats when followed by a temporarily silent letter due to pausing at the end of a word.
This elongation only occurs when stopping and vanishes if recitation continues. Recognizing and applying the rule requires understanding its conditions, spotting the pattern, and practicing with guidance.
Almost every time you recite the Quran and pause at the end of a verse, you are likely applying a rule you may not even know by name. It is one of the most common and natural parts of a flowing recitation.
This lesson is about Al-Madd Al-Aarid Lissukoon, and it will connect your intuition to the profound science of Tajweed, insha’Allah.
What is Al-Madd Al-Aarid Lissukoon?
Al-Madd Al-Aarid Lissukoon is the temporary lengthening of a Madd letter when it is followed by a letter that has a temporary sukoon due to stopping on the word.
This rule is one of the most frequently occurring types of Madd (elongation).
The Conditions for Madd Al-Aarid Lissukoon
For this beautiful elongation to occur, three specific conditions must be met. Think of it as a simple recipe; if one ingredient is missing, the rule does not apply.
1. The Presence of a Madd Letter
First, the word must contain one of the three letters of Madd. These are Alif sakinah preceded by a fatha (ـَا), Yaa sakinah preceded by a kasra (ـِي), or Waw sakinah preceded by a dammah (ـُو).
“بِٱسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ”
“Bismil-lahir-Rahmanir-Raheem”
“In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.” (Al-Fatihah: 1)
In the word “ٱلرَّحِيمِ”, the letter Yaa (ي) is a Madd letter, as it is silent (sakinah) and preceded by a kasra on the letter Haa (ح).
2. The Madd Letter is Followed by a Sukoon
The second condition is that this Madd letter must be followed by another letter that carries a sukoon (a state of rest, with no vowel).
In our journey through the Quran, we’ll see this condition is met only when we pause. This leads us to the final, crucial condition for this specific rule.
3. The Sukoon is Temporary (Aarid)
The sukoon on the letter following the Madd letter must be temporary, or ‘aarid (عارض).
This means the letter does not naturally have a sukoon but is given one only because we are stopping on that word.
“ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ”
“Alhamdu lillahi Rabbil-‘aalameen”
“All praise is for Allah, Lord of the worlds.” (Al-Fatihah: 2)
When continuing recitation, the letter Noon (ن) in “ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ” has a fatha. However, when we stop on this word, we drop the fatha and apply a temporary sukoon, fulfilling this condition.
Al-Madd Al-Aarid Lissukoon Rules
When all three conditions are met, you must elongate the Madd letter for a specific duration before pronouncing the final letter with its temporary sukoon.
The “temporary sukoon” is the heart of this rule. If you were to continue reading without pausing, the last letter would have its own vowel (fatha, dammah, or kasra), and this Madd would not exist. It is your stop that creates the rule.
Mastering these foundational concepts is the first step toward confident recitation.
For a guided and structured path, Quranica’s Learn Tajweed for beginners Course is designed to build your skills from the ground up with expert tutors.
How Many Counts is Madd Aarid Lissukoon?
The permissible lengths for Al-Madd Al-Aarid Lissukoon are 2, 4, or 6 beats (harakat). The length you choose should be consistent with your overall speed of recitation.
1. The Shortest Length (Qasr) is 2 Beats
This length, known as Al-Qasr (ٱلْقَصْر), is suitable for a faster recitation pace, known as Hadr. It is the minimum elongation required.
2. The Middle Length (Tawassut) is 4 Beats
This is the most common and recommended length, known as At-Tawassut (ٱلتَّوَسُّط). It aligns perfectly with a moderate recitation speed, or Tadwir.
3. The Longest Length (Tool) is 6 Beats
The longest duration, known as At-Tool (ٱلطُّول), is reserved for a slow and deliberate recitation style called Tahqiq, often used in teaching or deep contemplation.
Let’s apply this to our example, “ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ”, when stopping on it: You can read it as Al-‘aalamee(2)n, Al-‘aalameeee(4)n, or Al-‘aalameeeeee(6)n, stretching the ‘Yaa’ sound before voicing the final ‘n’ with a sukoon.
How to Identify Madd Al-Aarid Lissukoon When Reciting
With practice, spotting this rule becomes second nature. It’s a simple mental check you perform whenever you intend to pause on a word.
Follow these simple steps in your mind:
- Are you stopping at the end of this word?
- Look at the letter just before the final letter. Is it a Madd letter (ـَا, ـِي, or ـُو)?
- If yes to both, then you have found Al-Madd Al-Aarid Lissukoon. Now, simply apply the 2, 4, or 6-count elongation.
For example, when reciting Surah Al-Ma’un and stopping on the word “يُكَذِّبُ”
“أَرَءَيْتَ ٱلَّذِى يُكَذِّبُ بِٱلدِّينِ”
“Ara’aytal-ladhee yukadhdhibu bid-deen”
“Have you seen the one who denies the Recompense?” (Al-Ma’un: 1)
When stopping on “يُكَذِّبُ”, the conditions are not met.
But when stopping on “بِٱلدِّينِ”, you see a Yaa Madd (ي) before the final Noon (ن). You stop, giving the Noon a temporary sukoon, and elongate the Yaa for 2, 4, or 6 counts.
To sharpen these skills, Quranica’s interactive Tajweed test and practice feature gives you real-time exercises and direct feedback from our tutors to help you identify and apply rules flawlessly.
The Types of Al-Madd Al-Aarid Lissukoon
The rule remains the same, but it is helpful to categorize it by the specific Madd letter involved. This helps in recognizing the different sounds you will be elongating.
1. Madd Aarid Lissukoon with Alif
This occurs when the Madd letter before the final letter is an Alif (ـَا).
“لِيَجْزِىَ ٱللَّهُ كُلَّ نَفْسٍۢ مَّا كَسَبَتْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَرِيعُ ٱلْحِسَابِ”
“Liyajziyal-laahu kulla nafsim maa kasabat; innal-laaha saree’ul-hisaab”
“…Indeed, Allah is swift in account.” (Ibrahim: 51)
When stopping on the word “ٱلْحِسَابِ”, the Madd Alif before the final letter Baa (ب) is elongated as the Baa receives a temporary sukoon.
2. Madd Aarid Lissukoon with Waw
This occurs when the Madd letter before the final letter is a Waw (ـُو).
“ٱلَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْغَيْبِ وَيُقِيمُونَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَـٰهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ”
“Alladheena yu’minoona bil-ghaybi wa yuqeemoonas-salaata wa mimmaa razaqnaahum yunfiqoon”
“Who believe in the unseen, establish prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them.” (Al-Baqarah: 3)
Upon stopping on “يُؤْمِنُونَ”, the Madd Waw (و) before the final Noon (ن) is elongated for 2, 4, or 6 counts.
3. Madd Aarid Lissukoon with Yaa
This occurs when the Madd letter before the final letter is a Yaa (ـِي).
“إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ”
“Iyyaaka na’budu wa iyyaaka nasta’een”
“It is You we worship and You we ask for help.” (Al-Fatihah: 5)
When stopping on “نَسْتَعِينُ”, the Madd letter is Yaa (ي), and you elongate its sound before pronouncing the final Noon (ن) with a temporary sukoon.
More Examples of Madd Al-Aarid Lissukoon in the Quran
Let’s explore a few more examples from the Book of Allah to solidify your understanding. Notice how this rule appears constantly throughout the Quran.
1. Madd Aarid Lissukoon Example with Yaa’
“ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبُ لَا رَيْبَ ۛ فِيهِ ۛ هُدًى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ”
“Dhalikal-kitabu la rayba feeh, hudal-lilmuttaqeen”
“This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah.” (Al-Baqarah: 2)
When stopping on “لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ”, the Madd letter is Yaa (ي) and the temporary sukoon is on the final Noon (ن).
2. Madd Aarid Lissukoon Example with Alif
“قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ ٱلنَّاسِ”
“Qul a’oodhu bi-Rabbin-naas”
“Say, ‘I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind.'” (An-Nas: 1)
When stopping on “ٱلنَّاسِ”, the Madd letter is Alif (ا) and the temporary sukoon is on the final Seen (س).
3. Madd Aarid Lissukoon Example with Waw
“فَوَيْلٌ لِّلْمُصَلِّينَ، ٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ عَن صَلَاتِهِمْ سَاهُونَ”
“Fawaylul-lilmusalleen, alladheena hum ‘an salatihim sahoon”
“So woe to those who pray, [But] who are heedless of their prayer.” (Al-Ma’un: 4-5)
When stopping on “سَاهُونَ”, the Madd letter is Waw (و) and the temporary sukoon is on the final Noon (ن).
Read more about: Madd Muttasil Rules, Letters & Types With Examples
How to Learn Al-Madd Al-Aarid Lissukoon
Here is the step-by-step method we use with our students at Quranica to transform this rule from a concept in their minds to a beautiful skill on their tongues.
1. Master the Conditions in Theory
Your first task is to memorize and fully understand the three core conditions we discussed earlier.
Write them down: 1. Madd Letter, 2. Followed by another letter, 3. That letter has a temporary sukoon because you are stopping.
Quiz yourself until you can recite them from memory. This is the foundation upon which your skill will be built.
2. Develop Your ‘Tajweed Eyes’
Next, we train your eyes to find the rule. Open your Mushaf to a short surah you love, like Surah An-Nas or Surah Al-Asr. Do not recite yet.
Your only task is to scan the text and identify every single word where this Madd would apply if you were to stop on it. Point to the Madd letter and the final letter. This active search trains your brain to recognize the pattern instantly.
3. Listen and Imitate a Master Qari
Choose a recording of a master Qari known for precise Tajweed, such as Sheikh Mahmoud Khalil Al-Husary.
Listen to him recite the same surah you just scanned. Pay close attention only to his elongation at the end of each verse where Madd Al-Aarid Lissukoon occurs.
Listen, pause the recording, and try to imitate the exact sound and length. This is how the Quran has been taught for centuries—through listening and imitation.
4. Choose One Length and Be Consistent
While you have the choice of 2, 4, or 6 counts, it can be confusing for a beginner to switch between them. My advice is to choose one length and stick with it.
I recommend starting with the middle length, At-Tawassut (4 beats), as it is the most common and helps develop a good rhythm.
Practice applying only the 4-beat length for a few weeks until it becomes effortless and consistent in your recitation.
5. Recite to a Qualified Teacher
This final step is the most crucial. Self-practice is essential, but you cannot hear your own mistakes the way an expert ear can. Reciting to a qualified teacher is the only way to perfect your application.
A teacher will correct you, “That was a little too short,” or “You pronounced the final letter before finishing the Madd.”
This is the personalized feedback that refines your recitation and ensures you are applying the rule correctly. It is the heart of what we do in our one-on-one sessions at Quranica, solidifying your knowledge under expert guidance.
Perfect Your Madd and Your Recitation with Quranica
At Quranica, we are honored to walk that path with you. Our teachers are not just native Arab speakers; they are passionate educators from the esteemed Al-Azhar University, holding Ijazah (certification) to teach the Quran.
We have years of specialized experience in teaching non-Arabic speakers, breaking down complex rules into simple, manageable steps.
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Conclusion
Al-Madd Al-‘Aarid Lissukoon is a Tajweed rule where a Madd letter is temporarily lengthened when followed by a letter that gains a sukoon due to a pause. This elongation only applies when stopping on the word and involves one of the Madd letters: Alif, Yaa, or Waw.
For the rule to apply, three conditions must be met: the presence of a Madd letter, followed by another letter, and that final letter must acquire a temporary sukoon due to the stop. Without stopping, the rule is not activated.
Reciters can choose between three durations for elongation—2, 4, or 6 beats—depending on the pace of recitation. The middle option (4 beats) is widely recommended for beginners for its balance and rhythm.
Recognizing Madd Al-‘Aarid Lissukoon requires practice: mentally checking if the word ends with a Madd letter before a stop, then applying the correct length. The rule appears frequently across many Quranic verses, with examples using all three Madd letters.
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