Harakat in Tajweed are the foundational short vowel marks—Fatha, Damma, and Kasra—that guide proper Quranic pronunciation. They require specific mouth movements and exact timing to preserve meaning and avoid mistakes. Complemented by symbols like Sukoon, Shadda, and Tanween, Harakat form an essential system in Quranic recitation. For almost every student who begins the blessed journey of learning to read the Quran, the first true hurdle is not the letters themselves, but the small, delicate marks that sit above and below them. These symbols, the Harakat, can feel like a complex code. Yet, they are the first and most important key you will be given to unlock a correct and beautiful recitation. This guide is designed to transform that hurdle into a stepping stone, simplifying each sound so you can recite with confidence and precision from the very start.

What are Harakat in Arabic?

Harakat are the diacritical marks, or symbols, placed above or below an Arabic letter to indicate a specific short vowel sound. Without Harakat, the Arabic script consists only of consonants, making it essential to use Harakat to know how to pronounce a word correctly.When we bring this concept into the sacred science of Tajweed, its meaning deepens significantly. It is no longer just about pronunciation, but about perfection.

What is Harakat in Tajweed?

In the context of Tajweed, Harakat are the precise, perfected vowel sounds that must be articulated with specific timing and clarity. This meticulous attention ensures that the words of the Quran are recited exactly as they were revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), preserving their divine meaning.

The Importance of Correct Pronunciation in Tajweed

The correct pronunciation of Harakat is absolutely fundamental to Tajweed because even a slight mistake can completely alter the meaning of a word. Altering the meaning, even unintentionally, is a serious error when reciting the Holy Quran. This is why mastering these sounds from the very beginning is so important, and a guided path like Quranica’s Learn Tajweed for beginners Course can make all the difference.

How to Pronounce Harakat Correctly?

To pronounce the Fatha (ـَ), open your mouth vertically without pulling the lips sideways. For the Damma (ـُ), the lips must be rounded completely and pushed forward. For the Kasra (ـِ), the lower jaw should be lowered, and the middle of the tongue raised slightly. The key is to make each sound distinct and clear.

The Main Types of Harakat in Tajweed

There are three primary Harakat, or short vowels, that give life to the consonants. Each has a unique sound and a specific way it is formed with the mouth.

1. Fatha (ـَ)

The Fatha is a short diagonal dash placed above a letter, representing the short ‘a’ sound, similar to the ‘a’ in the word ‘cat’. To pronounce it correctly, the mouth should open vertically in a natural way, without any exaggeration.

An Example of Fatha in Quran

“خَلَقَ”

“khalaqa”

“He created.” (Surah Al-Alaq: 2)

Here, the Fatha appears on all three letters, guiding us to pronounce the word with consecutive short ‘a’ sounds.

2. Damma (ـُ)

The Damma is a small, comma-like symbol (و) placed above a letter, representing the short ‘u’ sound, like the ‘u’ in ‘put’. Its correct pronunciation requires rounding the lips forward, as if you are about to whistle.

An Example of Damma in Quran

“كُتِبَ”

“kutiba”

“It has been decreed…” (Surah Al-Baqarah: 183)

The Damma on the first letter gives it the ‘ku’ sound, which is then followed by the ‘ti’ and ‘ba’ sounds from the Kasra and Fatha.

3. Kasra (ـِ)

The Kasra is a short diagonal dash placed below a letter, representing the short ‘i’ sound, like the ‘i’ in ‘sit’. It is pronounced by lowering the jaw slightly and creating a sound similar to a gentle smile.

An Example of Kasra in Quran

“مَالِكِ”

“Maaliki”

“The Sovereign…” (Surah Al-Fatihah: 4)

The Kasra under the letter Kaaf (ك) gives it the distinct ‘ki’ sound, which is essential to the meaning of the verse.

Timing of Harakat in Tajweed

Beyond the sound itself, the duration of that sound is equally critical in Tajweed. This is a principle that many students overlook initially.Each Harakah must be given its equal and correct time—one count—and no more. You must be careful not to shorten it, which can make it sound like a Sukoon, or to lengthen it, which can incorrectly turn it into a Madd (long vowel) letter. 

Difference between Harakat and Madd Letters (Long Vowels)

The primary difference is that Harakat are short vowels held for one count, while Madd letters are long vowels held for two or more counts. A Madd letter is essentially a lengthened version of a Harakah sound.

Harakah (Short Vowel) – 1 Count	Madd Letter (Long Vowel) – 2 Counts
بَ (ba)	بَا (baa)
بُ (bu)	بُو (boo)
بِ (bi)	بِي (bee)

Related Diacritics and Their Connection to Harakat

Harakat do not work in isolation. They are part of a beautiful and precise system of diacritics that guide our recitation.

1. Sukoon (ـْ) 

The Sukoon is a small circle placed above a letter to indicate that the consonant has no vowel sound. It signifies a pause or a rest on that letter, connecting it to the letter that follows.

“أَنْعَمْتَ”

“an’amta”

“You have bestowed favor…” (Surah Al-Fatihah: 7)

Notice the Sukoon on the Noon (ن) and Meem (م), indicating they are pronounced without any vowel sound.

2. Shadda (ـّ)

The Shadda is a symbol that looks like a small ‘w’ placed above a letter. It signifies that the consonant is doubled: the first instance has a Sukoon, and the second has a Harakah (Fatha, Damma, or Kasra).

“إِيَّاكَ”

“Iyyaaka”

“You alone…” (Surah Al-Fatihah: 5)

The Shadda on the Yaa’ (ي) tells us to pronounce it as two letters: the first Yaa’ with a Sukoon (iy-) and the second with a Fatha (-ya), creating the sound ‘Iyyaa’.

3. Tanween

Tanween is a doubled Harakah that appears only at the end of a noun. It adds a short ‘n’ sound (phonetically, a Noon Sakinah) to the Harakah’s vowel sound.

• Fathatan (ـً): Two Fathas, creating an ‘an’ sound. Example: عَلِيمًا (ʻaleeman)
• Dammatan (ـٌ): Two Dammas, creating a ‘un’ sound. Example: غَفُورٌ (ghafoorun)
• Kasratan (ـٍ): Two Kasras, creating an ‘in’ sound. Example: نَارٍ (naarin)

Examples of Harakat in Quranic Words

Seeing Harakat in their divine context helps solidify our understanding and appreciate their profound importance.Below are a few examples that show how Fatha, Damma, and Kasra work together to create the beautiful and precise sounds of Quranic recitation.

“قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ”

“Qul huwa Allahu ahad.”

“Say, ‘He is Allah, [who is] One.'” (Surah Al-Ikhlas: 1)

In this powerful verse, notice the Damma on the first letter of هُوَ (huwa) and the Fatha on the first letter of أَحَدٌ (ahadun), each given its distinct sound and timing.

“خُلِقَ الْإِنْسَانُ مِنْ عَجَلٍ”

“Khuliqal-insaanu min ‘ajal.”

“Mankind was created of haste.” (Surah Al-Anbiya: 37)

This example beautifully showcases all three Harakat: the Damma on خُ (khu), the Kasra on لِ (li), and the Fatha on قَ (qa), all within the single word خُلِقَ (khuliqa).

“لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ”

“Lahu maa fis-samaawaati wa maa fil-ard.”

“To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth.” (Surah Al-Baqarah: 255)

Here, we can clearly hear the Damma in لَهُ (lahu), the Fatha in مَا (maa), and the Kasra in فِي (fi), demonstrating how these Harakat flow from one word to the next.

Common Mistakes in Pronouncing Harakat

Recognizing these common mistakes is the first step toward correcting them with gentle, consistent practice.The key is to listen carefully and be mindful of how you shape each sound. Below are the most frequent errors students make, along with guidance on how to avoid them.

1. Cutting the Vowel Sound Short 

This happens when a Harakah is pronounced so quickly that it loses its full sound, almost becoming like a Sukoon. It makes the recitation sound rushed and incomplete. For example, in the word يَعِدُكُمْ (ya’idukum), the Damma on the letter Daal (د) must be given its full, one-count sound.Incorrect: Pronouncing it as ya’idkum, with a clipped, half-vowel on the Daal. Correct: Pronouncing it as ya’idukum, with a clear and complete ‘du’ sound.

2. Over-lengthening the Vowel Sound (الإشباع – Al-Ishba’) 

This is the opposite error, where the Harakah is held for too long, incorrectly turning it into a Madd letter (a long vowel). This changes the structure and sometimes the meaning of the word. A common example is with the pronoun لَهُ (lahu).

“لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ”

“lahu ma fis-samawati wa ma fil-ard”

“To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth.” (Surah Al-Baqarah: 255)

Incorrect: Pronouncing it as lahuu, stretching the Damma into a two-count long vowel.Correct: Pronouncing it as lahu, keeping the Damma to its strict one-count timing.

3. Unclear or “Majhool” Articulation 

This refers to an ambiguous or “unknown” sound, where the vowel is not pronounced crisply. It is very common with the Damma, where students produce an “oh” sound instead of a pure “oo” sound. The lips must be fully rounded to produce the correct sound.Incorrect: Pronouncing the Damma with relaxed lips, creating an ‘oh’ sound (e.g., koon sounding like ‘kohn’). Correct: Fully rounding the lips to produce a sharp ‘oo’ sound (a proper ‘koo’).It can sometimes be difficult to hear these subtle errors in your own recitation. Using a tool like Quranica’s Tajweed test and practice tool can provide the instant feedback you need to pinpoint and correct these habits, training your ear and tongue for perfect pronunciation.

How to Learn Harakat in Tajweed?

Learning the Harakat correctly is a journey that combines listening, practice, and guidance. Here is a simple, step-by-step approach that my students have found to be very effective.

1. Listen Attentively to a Qualified Reciter

Your journey begins with listening. Before you can produce the correct sound, your ear must be trained to recognize it. Listen daily to a Qari (reciter) who is known for their clear and precise Tajweed, focusing on how they pronounce each short vowel.

2. Practice with a Mirror

This is a very practical technique. Sit with a small mirror and watch the shape of your mouth as you try to imitate the sounds. For Fatha, see if your mouth is opening vertically. For Damma, check that your lips are fully rounded and pushed forward. This gives you instant visual feedback.

3. Seek Feedback from a Certified Teacher

This is the most important step. You cannot hear your own mistakes in the same way a trained teacher can. A certified teacher, especially one holding an Ijazah, can provide you with the specific, personalized corrections you need to perfect your articulation and timing.

4. Recite Aloud and Be Consistent

You must make these sounds your second nature. Practice reciting short Surahs aloud every single day, paying close attention to every Harakah. This consistent practice builds muscle memory in your tongue, jaw, and lips, making the correct pronunciation feel natural over time.

Begin Your Path to Perfect Recitation with Quranica

Reciting the Quran is a conversation with Allah, and every sound matters. At Quranica, we believe that this beautiful skill should be accessible to everyone, guided by those who have mastered it.Our lessons are taught by native Arab instructors, graduates of the prestigious Al-Azhar University, all of whom hold an Ijazah (a direct, unbroken chain of transmission back to the Prophet, peace be upon him).We offer competitive and accessible pricing because we believe this knowledge is a right, not a luxury. Your learning journey with us is personalized to your pace and needs.We offer a wide range of specialized programs, including hifz programs, courses to learn Quran recitation and learn Quran with tajweed, our prestigious online ijazah course, and the advanced Ten Qirat Course.Begin your transformative journey with the Quran today. Register for your free trial class now!

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Conclusion

Harakat are the short vowel marks in Arabic—Fatha, Damma, and Kasra—that guide proper pronunciation by adding vocal clarity to consonants. In Tajweed, these symbols take on deeper importance, shaping the way we recite the Quran with precision, beauty, and meaning.Each Harakah has a distinct articulation method: Fatha requires a vertical mouth opening, Damma involves rounded lips, and Kasra needs a lowered jaw with a raised tongue. Mastering these subtle techniques is crucial for accurate Quranic recitation.Harakat must be held for exactly one count. Extending them creates long vowels (Madd), while shortening them leads to rushed and incorrect sounds. Both errors can alter the meaning of words in Quranic verses, making precision a vital responsibility.Other diacritics work alongside Harakat: Sukoon signals a consonant stop, Shadda doubles a letter, and Tanween adds a soft ‘n’ sound at the end of nouns. These markings together form a precise system that shapes every word in the Quran.