Madd Leen is a subtle Tajweed rule that softens Quranic recitation by stretching a Waw or Yaa with Sukoon preceded by a Fatha, but only when stopping on a word. It comes in two forms—Madd Leen ‘Aridh li-Sukun (temporary stop) and Madd Leen Lazim (permanent Sukoon)—and may be extended for 2, 4, or 6 counts. 

Every time you recite Surah Quraysh and pause on the word khawf (خَوْفٍ), or when you stop on al-bayt (الْبَيْتِ) in Surah Al-Fil, you are standing at the doorstep of a fundamental Tajweed rule. This is Madd Leen.

It is one of the most common, yet subtle, elongations in the Quran. Today, we will give this rule its proper attention so you can move from simply hearing it to mastering it with confidence in your own recitation.

What is Madd Leen?

Madd Leen is a specific type of elongation, or “stretching,” that occurs under particular conditions. Madd Leen gives a gentle, easy flow to the sound, which is exactly what the word “Leen” means.

Madd Leen Definition

The Madd Leen definition is the elongation of a “soft” sound that happens when we pause or stop on a word that contains a Leen letter. The word Madd means to elongate, and Leen means softness or ease.

We must first recognize the letters that cause it. These letters are known in Arabic as Huruf al-Leen, or the “soft letters.”

What are the Leen Letters (Huruf al-Leen)?

The Leen letters are the Waw (و) and the Yaa (ي) only when they meet two specific criteria:

1. They must have a Sukoon (ـْـ) on them, making them Waw Saakinah and Yaa Saakinah.
2. The letter immediately before them must have a Fatha (ـَـ).

This combination creates a soft, gliding sound, like “aw” or “ay.”

Leen Letters Examples in Arabic

These examples show the letters without any Madd (stretch) applied, simply to help you identify the core components: a Waw or Ya with a sukoon, following a letter with a Fatha.

“قَوْلُ” “a statement”: Here, the Wow sakinah (وْ) is preceded by the letter Qaf (ق) which has a Fatha, making it a Leen letter.

“شَيْءٍ” “a thing”: In this word, the Ya sakinah (يْ) comes after the letter Sheen (ش) which has a Fatha, making it a Leen letter.

Difference between Leen Letters and Madd Letters

A common point of confusion for beginners is mixing up Leen letters with the regular letters of Madd. The key difference lies in the vowel that comes before them.

Leen letters (وْ / يْ) are always preceded by a Fatha, whereas the normal Madd letters are preceded by their corresponding short vowel. 

For instance, a Madd Wow is preceded by a Dammah, and a Madd Ya is preceded by a Kasra.

Mastering these foundational concepts is the key to correct recitation. Students looking to build a strong base will find clear, step-by-step guidance in Quranica’s Learn Tajweed for beginners Course.

Conditions for Madd Leen

The conditions for Madd Leen are met only when you stop on a word that ends with a Leen letter followed by another letter. 

This stop causes the final letter to acquire a temporary sukoon (sukoon ‘aridh).

So, the full formula is:

1. A Leen Letter (Waw or Yaa Saakinah, preceded by Fatha).
2. Followed by one letter.
3. You must stop on that word, applying a temporary sukoon to the final letter.

Madd Leen Examples in the Quran

Here are some examples of Madd Leen in the Quran.

1. An Example of Madd Leen with Yaa’

“لِإِيلَافِ قُرَيْشٍ” 

li-eelaafi Quraysh 

“For the accustomed security of the Quraysh.” (Quraysh: 1) 

Here, the Yaa (ي) in Quraysh is a Leen letter because it has a sukoon and is preceded by the letter Raa (ر) with a fatha.

2. An Example of Madd Leen with Waw

“الَّذِي أَطْعَمَهُم مِّن جُوعٍ وَآمَنَهُم مِّنْ خَوْفٍ” 

alladhee at’amahum min joo’in wa aamanahum min khawf 

“Who has fed them, saving them from hunger, and made them safe, saving them from fear.” (Quraysh: 4) 

In this verse, the Waw (و) in khawf is a Leen letter because it has a sukoon and follows the letter Kha (خ) which has a fatha.

How Long is Madd Leen?

Madd Leen can be elongated for 2, 4, or 6 harakat (counts). The reciter has the choice among these three lengths.

It is very important to be consistent. If you choose to elongate Madd Leen for 4 counts, you should also elongate another similar rule, Madd Arid li-Sukun, for 4 counts throughout your recitation session to maintain a beautiful and balanced rhythm.

Getting the timing of your Madd just right comes with practice and expert feedback. You can perfect your stretch lengths with Quranica’s Tajweed test and practice sessions.

The Main Madd Leen Types

Madd Leen is generally found in two forms in the Quran, one very common and one extremely rare.

1. Madd Leen Aridh li-Sukun

This is the standard and most frequently encountered type of Madd Leen. It is the elongation caused by a temporary sukoon when stopping on a word.

The term ‘aridh li-sukun means “temporary for the sukoon,” referring to the sukoon that appears only because we have paused. 

Madd Leen Aridh Examples

“رِحْلَةَ ٱلشِّتَآءِ وَٱلصَّيْفِ” 

“rihlatash-shitaa’i was-sayf” 

“Their winter and summer caravan” (Quraysh, 106:2)

Upon stopping at “as-sayf,” the Ya sakinah (يْ) following the Fatha on the Sad (ص) is elongated as Madd Leen.

“ذَٰلِكَ الْكِتَابُ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ” 

dhaalikal kitaabu laa rayb 

“This is the Book about which there is no doubt…” (Al-Baqarah: 2) 

When stopping on the word rayb, the Yaa Leen is stretched because the final letter Baa (ب) takes a temporary sukoon.

2. Madd Leen Lazim

Madd Leen Lazim is the elongation of a Leen letter for a mandatory 6 counts because it is followed by a letter with a permanent, original sukoon (sukoon asli), not a temporary one.

Madd Leen Lazim Examples

“كهيعص” 

Kaaf-Haa-Yaa-‘Ayn-Saad (Opening letters of Surah Maryam) 

The rule applies to the letter ‘Ayn (ع). When we spell out its name phonetically—عَيْن (‘ayn)—we find a Yaa Leen (يْ) followed by a Noon with a permanent sukoon (نْ). This structure requires a 6-count elongation.

“عسق” 

‘Ayn-Seen-Qaaf (Opening letters of Surah Ash-Shura) 

Similarly, the letter ‘Ayn (ع) here is pronounced عَيْن (‘ayn) and is elongated for 6 counts due to the Yaa Leen followed by the Noon Saakinah.

Madd Leen vs. Madd Arid li-Sukun

Students often confuse Madd Leen with Madd Arid li-Sukun because they share the same lengths (2, 4, or 6 counts) and both occur when stopping. 

However, the difference is simple and crucial.

The Core Difference Between Madd Leen and Madd Arid li-Sukun

The difference between Madd Leen and Madd Arid li-Sukun lies in the vowel before the Waw or Yaa.

• Madd Leen: The vowel before the Waw Saakinah or Yaa Saakinah is always a Fatha (ـَـ).
• Madd Arid li-Sukun: The vowel before the Waw Saakinah is a Dammah (ـُـ), and the vowel before the Yaa Saakinah is a Kasra (ـِـ).

Comparative Examples of Madd Leen and Madd Arid li-Sukun

Let’s look at them side-by-side. Both examples are stretched when we stop on them.

1. Madd Leen Example

“خَوْفٍ” 

khawf 

The Waw Saakinah (و) is preceded by a Fatha, making it Madd Leen when stopping.

2. Madd Arid li-Sukun Example

“يُؤْمِنُونَ” 

yu’minoon

The Waw is Waw Madd (و) is Followed by a Fathat on the Noon (نَ), so when we stop we make it Madd Arid li-Sukun when stopping.

How to Learn Madd Leen Rules

To learn the Madd Leen rules, you should follow a simple, four-step process: master the foundation, listen intently to expert reciters, practice aloud, and seek feedback from a qualified teacher.

1. Start with Recognizing the Leen letters

Open the mushaf and simply scan pages, looking for a Waw (و) or Yaa (ي) with a sukoon that comes after a letter with a fatha. Find words like الصَّيْف (as-sayf), الْبَيْت (al-bayt), and قَوْم (qawm) to build this core skill.

2.  Listen to the Renowned Qaris

Listen carefully to recitations by renowned Qaris known for their precise Tajweed, such as Sheikh Mahmoud Khalil Al-Husary. Pay close attention to how they pause on words and notice the soft, gentle stretch on sounds like khawf or rayb.

3. Practice Aloud and Record

Start with short chapters rich in Madd Leen, like Surah Quraysh. Recite it aloud, focusing on applying the Madd Leen when you stop at the end of each verse. Recording yourself and comparing it to the expert recitation is a powerful tool for self-correction.

4. Get Feedback from a Teacher

This is where having an Ijazah-certified tutor, like the ones we are blessed to have at Quranica, makes all the difference. 

They can provide you with instant, personalized feedback to perfect your pronunciation and ensure you are applying the rule with beauty and precision.

Perfect All Types of Madd with Quranica

Learning Tajweed is not just about rules; it’s about honoring the words of Allah and finding a deeper, more personal connection to His message. Rules like Madd Leen are the fine threads that weave the glorious tapestry of Quranic recitation.

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Conclusion

Madd Leen is a type of Tajweed rule that involves soft elongation when stopping on a word containing a Waw or Yaa with Sukoon, preceded by a Fatha. It adds a gentle flow to the recitation, enriching the beauty of the Quran.

These Leen letters (و / ي) become Madd Leen only when followed by another letter and the reciter stops on that word, applying a temporary Sukoon. Madd Leen differs from regular Madd by its vowel conditions—always preceded by Fatha.

There are two types of Madd Leen: Madd Leen ‘Aridh li-Sukun, which is common and happens when stopping on a word, and Madd Leen Lazim, which requires elongation for six counts due to a permanent Sukoon that follows.

Examples from the Quran include words like Quraysh, khawf, and rayb, where the soft stretch enhances the sound. The reciter may choose to stretch Madd Leen for 2, 4, or 6 counts, but consistency in recitation is essential.