Qalqalah is divided into Sughra (Lesser Echo), a soft vibration during continuous recitation, and Kubra (Greater Echo), a stronger sound when pausing on a Qalqalah letter. The strongest Kubra occurs with Shaddah, producing the most pronounced echo.

To make learning easier, the three levels are often simplified into two main classifications. This is how the rule is most commonly taught to students of Tajweed.

While there are three strengths, they are broadly categorized into two primary types of Qalqalah in Tajweed: Qalqalah Sughra and Qalqalah Kubra.

Qalqalah Sughra (قلقلة صغرى) – The Lesser Echo

Qalqalah Sughra sound is just enough to clarify the Qalqalah letter’s presence without interrupting the rhythm. 

Qalqalah Sughra is the gentler of the two echoes, occurring within the natural flow of recitation without pause. 

Qalqalah Sughra is called Sughra (lesser or minor) because the echo is subtle and quick, as the mouth is already preparing to pronounce the very next letter.

Qalqalah Sughra rule primarily applies in two situations which students should carefully note.

1. Qalqalah Sughra in the Middle of a Word

Qalqalah Sughra happens most commonly when one of the Qutbu Jadd (قطبجد) letters has a Sukoon (ـْ) while in the middle of a word. 

The vibration is light and connects smoothly to the following sound. 

Examples of Qalqalah Sughra from Quran

يَبْتَغُونَ
Yabtaghoona
They seek. 

A gentle bounce is heard on the letter ‘Baa’ (ب) before moving to the next letter.

يُطْعِمُونَ
Yut’imoona
They feed. 

Here, a slight echo is produced on the letter ‘Taa’ (ط) in the middle of the word.

يَدْخُلُونَ
Yadkhuloona
They will enter. 

Notice the soft vibration on the letter ‘Daal’ (د) as you pronounce it.

2. Qalqalah Sughra at the End of a Word

A key point to remember is that a Qalqalah letter at the end of a word can also be Sughra. 

This occurs if you do not stop on that word but immediately continue your recitation to the next word in the verse.

Because you are not pausing, the echo remains lesser, or Sughra. If you were to stop, it would become Kubra.

قَدْ أَفْلَحَ 

Qad aflaha 

Certainly, he has succeeded. The ‘Daal’ (د) at the end of ‘Qad’ gets a lesser echo because we connect it to ‘aflaha’.

Qalqalah Kubra (قلقلة كبرى) – The Greater Echo

Qalqalah Kubra occurs whenever you stop on a word that ends with one of the five Qalqalah letters. 

The act of stopping renders the final letter sakin (vowelless), which is the condition for the echo. 

Qalqalah Kubra rule applies even if the letter has a vowel written over it in the text; the pause overrides it.

Qalqalah Kubra is called “the Greater” because the sound has more time to fully resonate at a stop, making it clearer and more distinct than the Lesser Echo (Sughra).

This category actually includes two of the strength levels we discussed earlier: the Strong (Kubra) and the Strongest (Akbar). Let’s look at examples for each of the five letters to see this beautiful rule in action.

Examples of the Strong Qalqalah Kubra from the Quran

This is the most common form, applied when stopping on a Qalqalah letter that does not have a Shaddah.

“قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ“
Qul a’oodhu bi Rabbil-falaq
Say, “I seek refuge in the Lord of daybreak.”

A very clear and strong echo is pronounced on the letter ‘Qaaf’ (ق) because you are stopping on it.

“وَاللَّهُ مِن وَرَائِهِم مُّحِيطٌ“
Allahu min waraa’ihim muheet
While Allah encompasses them from behind. 

When stopping, the letter ‘Taa’ (ط) at the end receives a full, strong echo.

“وَالسَّمَاءِ ذَاتِ الْبُرُوجِ”
Was-samaa’i zaatil-burooj
By the sky containing the great stars. 

The ‘Jeem’ (ج) at the end of al-burooj is given a distinct bouncing sound upon stopping.

“فِي جِيدِهَا حَبْلٌ مِّن مَّسَدٍ”
Fee jeedihaa hablum mim masad
Around her neck is a rope of [twisted] fiber. 

The final letter ‘Daal’ (د) is given a full, clear Qalqalah as you conclude the verse.

Example of the Strongest Qalqalah Kubra (Akbar) from Quran

This is a special case of Qalqalah Kubra, occurring when we stop on a Qalqalah letter that has a Shaddah (ّ). 

Here, you first emphasize the letter for the Shaddah and then release with the most powerful echo.

“تَبَّتْ يَدَا أَبِي لَهَبٍ وَتَبَّ”
Tabbat yadaa abee Lahabinw wa tabb
May the hands of Abu Lahab be ruined, and ruined is he. 

Stopping on ‘Baa’ (ب), you press on it for the Shaddah then release with the strongest echo.

If you’re finding it hard to distinguish between Sughra and Kubra, why not try Quranica’s Tajweed Test and Practice sessions to sharpen your skills?

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Conclusion:

Qalqalah in Tajweed is classified into two types: Qalqalah Sughra (Lesser Echo), a subtle vibration occurring in the middle or at the end of words when there’s no pause, and Qalqalah Kubra (Greater Echo), a stronger echo when stopping on a word that ends with a Qalqalah letter. 

The latter includes Strong Qalqalah Kubra and Strongest Qalqalah Kubra (Akbar), with the latter occurring when a letter has a Shaddah.