Tajweed symbols in the Quran are essential for accurate pronunciation and preserving its meaning. These include vowel marks, stress indicators like Shaddah, and stop signs that guide when to pause or continue. Mastering these rules ensures fluency and clarity in recitation..
Tajweed symbols you see in the Mus’haf are not just decorations; they are a precise guide to help you pronounce every letter and word correctly.
These signs, known as Tajweed symbols, ensure that the reader preserves the meaning and beauty of the divine text.
Learning Tajweed symbols and stop signs is the first step toward a fulfilling and accurate recitation.
What Do Tajweed Symbols in the Mushaf Mean?
Tajweed symbols special marks in the Uthmanic script are a precise and beautiful system, developed over centuries by brilliant scholars dedicated to preserving the exact pronunciation of the Quran as taught by the Prophet (peace be upon him).
These marks are the essential guideposts for proper pronunciation and rhythm in your Quran recitation.
They provide the instructions that your mouth, tongue, and lips need to follow to recite the words of Allah as they were revealed.
Pronunciation Symbols in Quran
Pronunciation symbols in Quran are the most fundamental symbols, acting as the vowels and core pronunciation markers in the Arabic text.
Mastering them is non-negotiable for anyone who wants to read the Quran fluently and correctly.
1. Symbols of The Primary Vowels in Mushaf
Harakat are the short vowel marks placed above or below a letter to indicate its sound. Without them, most words would be unreadable for a non-native speaker.
A. Fathah Symbol (ـَ)
The Fathah is a small diagonal dash above a letter and produces a short ‘a’ sound, like the ‘a’ in ‘cat’.
“قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ”
Qul huwa Allahu ahad Say, “He is Allah, [who is] One.”
Here, the Fathah on the letter Hamza (أ) in ‘ahad’ creates the ‘a’ sound.
B. Dammah Symbol(ـُ)
The Dammah is a small loop-like symbol above a letter that creates a short ‘u’ sound, similar to the ‘u’ in ‘put’.
“قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ”
Qul huwa Allahu ahad
The Dammah on the letter Ha’ (هـ) in ‘huwa’ produces the ‘u’ sound.
C. Kasrah Symbol (ـِ)
The Kasrah is a small dash below a letter and produces a short ‘i’ sound, like the ‘i’ in ‘sit’.
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
Bismi Allahi alrrahmani alrraheemi
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
The Kasrah under the Ba’ (ب) in ‘Bismi’ creates the ‘bi’ sound. Also , there are kasrat under the (م), (ه) and (حـ).
D. Sukoon Symbol (ـْ)
The Sukoon is a small circle above a letter, indicating that the letter has no vowel sound. It joins the letter to the one preceding it.
“لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ“
Lam yalid wa lam yoolad He neither begets nor is born.
The Sukoon on the Dal (د) in ‘yalid’ signifies a stop or pause on the ‘d’ sound.
Also in some prints of Mushaf, the Sukoon looks like the head of the Arabic letter ‘ha’ (ح).

2. Symbols of The Doubled Vowels (Tanween)
Tanween adds an ‘n’ sound to the end of a noun and is indicated by doubling the short vowel sign. It plays a crucial grammatical role in Arabic.
A. Fathatan Symbol (ـً)
Two Fathahs above a letter, pronounced as ‘an’.
“وَجَعَلْنَا سِرَاجًا وَهَّاجًا”
Waja’alna sirajan wahhajan
And made [therein] a burning lamp.
The Tanween on the ‘j’ in ‘sirajan’ creates the ‘jan’ sound.
B. Dammatan Symbol (ـٌ)
Two Dammahs above a letter, pronounced as ‘un’.
“قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ“
Qul huwa Allahu ahadun
The Tanween on the ‘d’ in ‘ahadun’ produces the ‘dun’ sound.
C.. Kasratan Symbol (ـٍ)
Two Kasrahs below a letter, pronounced as ‘in’.
“فِي عَمَدٍ مُّمَدَّدَةٍ”
Fee ‘amadin mumaddadatin
In extended columns.
The Tanween under the ‘d’ in ”amadin’ produces the ‘din’ sound, and under the “t” produces “tin” sound.
3. The Symbol of Shaddah (ـّ)
The Shaddah is a small symbol that looks like the head of the letter ‘seen’ (س). It indicates that the consonant is doubled or stressed.
“إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ”
Iyyaka na’budu wa iyyaka nasta’een
It is You we worship and You we ask for help.
The Shaddah on the letter Ya’ (ي) in ‘Iyyaka’ means you should stress the ‘y’ sound.
Feeling confident with these basics is the first step in your Tajweed journey. To build a solid foundation, check out Quranica’s Learn Tajweed for beginners Course, designed to guide you step-by-step.

The Art of Stopping and Starting (Waqf and Ibtida in Quran)
Knowing what to say is one half of beautiful recitation; knowing where to pause is the other.
The relationship between stopping and starting is at the heart of meaningful recitation. It is a reflection of your understanding of the grammar and message of the verses.
1. What is Waqf in the Quran?
In the science of Tajweed, Waqf is the rule of pausing or stopping at the end of a word. Its importance cannot be overstated.
A correctly placed pause preserves the meaning, clarifies the message, and allows for proper breath control, making the recitation both accurate and pleasant to hear.
2. The Meaning of Ibtida
Ibtida is the rule that governs how to correctly resume recitation after a pause. A proper Ibtida ensures that you start from a word that begins a complete and coherent thought, maintaining the integrity and flow of the Quran’s message. An incorrect start can be as damaging to the meaning as an incorrect stop.
Read also: Is Tajweed Obligatory?
Lets see Waqf and Ibtida in the Quran with Examples
Tajweed Stop Signs (Waqf)
These pauses, known in Tajweed as Waqf (stopping), are not random. They are essential for preserving the intended meaning of the verses and allowing the reader to breathe without disrupting the divine message.
1. Tajweed Symbol of The Compulsory Stop (م)
This small Meem (م), different from the one used for Iqlab, is a sign of great importance. It indicates a Compulsory Stop, or Al-Waqf al-Lazim.
Stopping here is mandatory. To continue reading without pausing could severely alter the meaning of the divine text, merging two separate concepts into one incorrect idea.
Quranic Example of The Compulsory Stop in Tajweed:

′innamaˉyastajıˉbul−ladhıˉnayasma′uˉn(a)ۘ wal−mawtaˉyab′athuhumullaˉh
“Only those who hear will respond. ۘ As for the dead, Allah will resurrect them” (Surah Al-An’am, 6:36)
Stopping at the end of yasma’ūn is essential. It draws a clear line between those who are spiritually alive and listen, and the state of the dead, who will be resurrected by Allah. Continuing would incorrectly link these two distinct groups.
2. Tajweed Symbol of The Forbidden to Stop (لا)
The symbol Laa (لا), meaning “No,” is a clear instruction not to stop. This is known as Al-Waqf al-Mamnu’, or the Forbidden Stop.
Stopping at this point can break a sentence in half, leading to an incomplete or distorted meaning. If you must stop here due to a lack of breath, it is your duty to go back to a suitable word before the symbol and continue your recitation from there.
Quranic Example of The Forbidden to Stop in Tajweed:

alladhıˉnayunfiquˉnaamwaˉlahumfıˉsabıˉlillaˉhithummalaˉyutbi′uˉnamaˉanfaquˉmannanwalaˉadhanۙlahumajruhum
“Those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah and then do not follow up what they have spent with reminders [of it] or [other] injury will have their reward” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:262)
Here, the phrase lahum ajruhum (“will have their reward”) is the direct consequence of the preceding description. Stopping at wa lā adhan would sever this critical link and leave the meaning hanging.
3. Tajweed Symbol of Stopping is Better (قلى)
The letters Qaf and Laam (قلى) are an abbreviation for Al-Waqf Awla, which means “Stopping is better.”
When you see this symbol, you have the choice to continue, but it is highly recommended that you pause. Stopping here often marks the end of a complete thought, and pausing enhances the clarity and impact of the verse.
Quranic Example of Stopping is Better in Tajweed:

qulrabbıˉa′lamubi′iddatihimmaˉya′lamuhumillaˉqalıˉl(un)ۗ falaˉtumaˉrifıˉhim
“Say, ‘My Lord is most knowing of their number. None knows them except a few.’ ۗ So do not argue about them” (Surah Al-Kahf, 18:22)
Pausing at qalīl is preferable because it completes the statement about who knows the number of the youth in the cave. The following phrase is a new command based on that fact, and the pause creates a perfect separation.
4. Tajweed Symbol of Continuing is Better (صلى)
The letters Saad and Laam (صلى) stand for Al-Wasl Awla, which means “Continuing is better.”
This symbol indicates that while stopping is permissible, it is linguistically and spiritually more beautiful to continue the recitation. Continuing often maintains a seamless flow of related ideas.
Quranic Example of Continuing is Better in Tajweed:

Wallahu yaqdee bilhaqqi wallatheena yad’oona min doonihi la yaqdoona bishayin
“And Allah judges with truth, while those they invoke besides Him judge not with anything.” (Ghafir, 40:20)
Continuing at (صلى) connects the two contrasting statements for a more powerful effect.
5. The Permissible to Stop Tajweed Symbol (ج)
The letter Jeem (ج) stands for Waqf Ja’iz, a permissible or optional stop.
Seeing this symbol means you have the freedom to choose. Both stopping and continuing are equally valid, and your choice will not negatively impact the meaning of the verse. It is a point of rest left to the reader’s discretion.
Quranic Example of The Permissible to Stop Symbol in Tajweed:

Nahnu naqussu ‘alayka naba’ahum bilhaqqi innahum fityatun amanoo birabbihim
“It is We who relate to you, [O Muhammad], their story in truth. Indeed, they were youths who believed in their Lord…” (Surah Al-Kahf, 18:13)
You may choose to stop or continue at the (ج) without affecting the meaning.
6. The Embracing Stop Tajweed Symbol (∴)
These three dots, appearing in two nearby places, signal a unique rule known as the Mu’anaqah, or the Embracing Stop.
The rule is simple yet precise: you must stop at one of the two marked locations, but not at both. Stopping at the first set of dots means you must continue over the second, and vice-versa.
Quranic Example of The Embracing Stop Symbol in Tajweed:

dhaˉlikal−kitaˉbulaˉraybaۛfıˉh(i)ۛhudanlil−muttaqıˉn
“This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:2)
Here, you can either stop at lā rayb (making the meaning: “This is the Book, there is no doubt.”) or stop at fīh (making the meaning: “This is the Book in which there is no doubt; a guidance…”). You cannot stop at both places.
Read also: Is Tajweed Obligatory In Salah?
7. The Sakt Tajweed Symbol (س)
The letter Seen (س) or the word سكتة signifies a Sakt, which is a special kind of pause. It requires a brief, subtle stop without taking a breath.
This pause is shorter and lighter than a full Waqf. You hold the sound for a moment and then continue reading. It is used to highlight a word or prevent the merging of two words that could create an unintended meaning.
Quranic Example of The Sakt Symbol in Tajweed:

Kallaˉbalۜ raˉna′alaˉquluˉbihim…
“No! Rather, the stain has covered their hearts” (Surah Al-Mutaffifin, 83:14)
The reader must make a brief, breathless pause on the Laam of the word bal before proceeding to say rāna. This prevents the words from sounding like balrāna, which is a different word in Arabic, thus preserving the intended meaning.
Distinguishing between these stops requires practice and a deeper understanding. To perfect your application, consider taking the Quranica Tajweed Test and Practice sessions.

Perfect Your Recitation Journey with Quranica
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Understanding these symbols is a significant milestone. But true mastery comes with guided practice under the mentorship of qualified teachers.
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Conclusion
Tajweed symbols in the Mushaf are more than decorative—they’re carefully developed guides that preserve the exact pronunciation of Quranic words. These symbols ensure correct articulation and rhythm, forming the foundation of a meaningful recitation journey.
The basic pronunciation markers include the short vowels (Fathah, Dammah, Kasrah), Sukoon for non-vowel letters, and Tanween for added nasalization. The Shaddah symbol doubles a letter’s sound, helping with emphasis and fluency during recitation.
Equally important are the Waqf (stop) and Ibtida (start) rules. Proper stopping and starting preserve the grammar and message of the Quran. Symbols like Meem (م) for compulsory stops and Laa (لا) for forbidden ones are critical for clarity.
Other stop signs include Jeem (ج) for optional pauses, Qaf-Laam (قلى) for preferred stops, and Saad-Laam (صلى) for preferred continuation. Special symbols like Sakt (س) and the embracing stop (∴) guide subtle pauses that protect the intended meaning.
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