You decide to recite the Quran after a long journey of learning Arabic, only to be surprised by the tiny Arabic letters that are written above or between the verses, like (ط). This naturally raises a question: What does ط mean in the quran? 

In some Mushafs, it appears and is repeated across pages, while in other Mushafs, it disappears. So, why does this happen, and what is its significance? So, let’s uncover the answers to these questions and explore everything about ط.

What Does ط Mean In The Quran?

The letter ط is one of the symbols that scholars and jurists have placed in some copies of the Mushaf. It refers to the position of Absolute Stop (in Arabic: Al Waqf el Mutlaq الوقف المطلق). The letter (ط) was chosen to represent  Al Waqf el Mutlaq الوقف المطلق because the letter ṭāʼ (ط) is the most distinctive in sound and shape within the word.

Al Waqf el Mutlaq means the positions within the Ayah where you can pause without affecting the meaning if you can not complete due to shortness of breath or any other cause. 

What distinguishes Al-Waqf al-Mutlaq is that pausing at it is better than continuing, and it is recommended to resume recitation from the words that follow it.

Read Also: What Do the Small Letters in the Quran Mean?

The significance of the ط symbol in the Quran

The presence of ط symbol has many benefits for reciters, especially if they do not know the Tafsir and how to stop without changing the meaning. Its presence provides the following benefits:

1. Maintaining Accurate Meaning:

Pause marks help separate or connect phrases according to context, ensuring a precise understanding of the meanings. Since it was prescribed by expert scholars who grasp the Quranic vocabulary and Tafsir

Achieving this is possible for anyone who puts in hard work and does their utmost. You can start with a simple Online Quran Tafseer Course. Then complete with regular reading.

2. Facilitating the Reader:

They provide the reciters with thoughtful pauses to catch their breath without disrupting the intended meaning. This helps them to apply the Al waqf rules in their recitation.

3. Enhancing the Beauty of Recitation:

Using the ط symbol helps you apply good stops and continue position, thus the Quranic intonations are revealed, highlighting the beauty of the text, and helping you reflect on what the verse explains and focus on the recitation.

Read Also: What does لا Mean in the Quran? – Prohibited Stop In the Quran 

Why does ” ط” appear in some Mushafs and disappear in others?

It is perfectly normal to find that the symbol (ط) appears in some copies of the Mushaf but not in others. Since it is well known that all symbols that guide you where you can pause were added by scholars of Quranic orthography after the compilation of the Mushaf.

This means that they are not revealed as a complementary part of the Quranic text, but they are related to the school or system followed in that particular publication. Thus, they may change from one edition to another.

As a result of the fact that the system of Quran symbols and stop signs differs slightly between editions and schools of Quranic orthography.

The ط symbol is rarely found in the Madinah Mushaf (published by the King Fahd Complex). It is replaced by قلي or ج symbol. However, some older or non-Saudi editions, such as Egyptian Mushafs or certain South Asian prints, may include it.

Read Also: What Does م Mean In The Quran?

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Conclusion 

The presence of symbols such as (ط) in the Mushaf indicates the great care and attention that scholars have given to the Quran. When you see ط, you will understand that you can stop here if you need. This preserves the meaning and beauty of the Quran.

Don’t be surprised if you notice that the symbol (ط) appears in some copies of the Mushaf but not in others or that it changes its position in different editions. Understanding this information will transform your recitation and help you apply Tajweed rules with confidence.