The rules of Madd are a crucial aspect of mastering the recitation of the Quran according to Tajweed rules. The elongation of certain letters in various lengths contributes to the preservation of the proper manner of reciting the Quran, following the model of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, and his companions.
This article will discuss in detail the rule of Madd Muttasil so that you would have a clearer understanding of the concept and its accurate application while reciting the Quran. So, follow along!
Definition of Madd Muttasil
Since the word Muttasil in Arabic means connected, Madd Muttasil refers to the type of Madd that occurs when the hamzah (ء) follows one of the Madd letters (و-ا-ي) in the same word and when the conditions previously mentioned are fulfilled.
Madd Muttasil is also termed Madd Waajib because of the Qari’s consensus that it is required or obligatory while reciting the Quran.
How to apply Madd Muttasil
In Quran recitation, a Qari’ needs to elongate Madd Muttasil for four or five Harakah. A Qari’ can use the method of opening his fingers from a closed fist to ensure the precision of apply the Madd.
Examples of Madd Muttasil in the Quran:
(عَمَّ يتساءلون)- (يكاد زيتها يضئ ولو لم تمسسه نار)- (لم يمسسهم سوء واتبعوا رضوان الله)
If the reciter happens to pause at a word which has hamzah as its last letter preceded by one of the Madd letters, the reciter can either elongate the Madd for four-five counts or apply إشباع and elongate it for six counts.
Examples:
(ويهدي من يشاء)
(وما يستوي الأعمى والبصير والذين ءامنوا وعملوا الصالحات ولا المسئ)
(والمطلقات يتربصن بأنفسهن ثلاثة قروء)
Difference between Madd Muttasil and Madd Munfasil
Reconginizing the difference between Madd Muttasil and Madd Munfasil becomes much easier when you understand the difference between Muttasil and Munfasil in Arabic.
Both Madd Muttasil and Madd Munfasil belong to the same category which is Madd Far’eeb but they have a key difference. Since the word Munfasil means separate, a key feature of Madd Munfasil is that it occurs when the hamzah is preceded by one of the Madd letters but in two separate words.
Examples of Madd Muttasil and Madd Munfasil in the Quran
Note the difference between the Madd Muttasil in:
(أولئك لهم اللعنة ولهم سوء الدار)
The words (أولئك) and (سوء) join the hamzah and Madd letter in the same word so the Madd is elongated for 4-5 harakah.
As for the Madd Munfasil in:
(وما أبرئ نفسي)
The Madd letter alif is in the first word while the hamzah is in a completely separate one so the Madd in (ما) is elongated for 2 counts or to 4-5 counts.
Essential Terms Before Learning Rules of Madd
Before explaining the concept of Madd Muttasil, let us uncover the term Madd itself:
– The word Madd in Arabic means to increase or lengthen. The concept of Madd in Tajweed refers to the elongation of certain letters for a specific duration so as to preserve the fluency of Quranic recitation.
– Harakat in Tajweed refers tothe duration of Madd, which is equivalent to the time it takes to open up four or five fingers from a closed fist.
– Letters of Madd are the three letters (و-ا-ي). By taking the word (نوحيها) as an example, the conditions of the Madd are clarified. These letters must be preceded by a harakah or a diactric mark that is equivalent to the sound of the letter, i.e, the alif must follow a Fatha, the ya’ must follow a Kasrah and the wow must follow a Dummah.
5 Tips to Master Rules of Madd
It is true that the rules of Madd might sound tricky but once you apply these helpful tips, your way to mastering Madd rules will become much easier:
1- Categorize Types of Madd
It is much more beneficial to use the established categories of Madd such as Madd Asli, Madd Far’ee, etc. because understanding the difference between each category and the manner of application is key in the proper application of Madd.
2- Listen to Expert Qari’
Imitation is one of the effective methods of mastering the rules of Tajweed in general and the types of Madd particularly because you can listen to the accurate application of the rule and imitate the Qari’.
Make sure that you follow the recitations of expert Qari’s whose application of the rules of Tajweed is flawless.
3- Use Reliable Sources
Using the proper learning material is a key step in perfecting the rules of Madd. keep material such as Tajweed charts, books, tutorial videos and Mushaf of Tajweed at your learning space and follow the directions closely.
4- Practice with a Professional Tutor
If you feel the need to seek the guidance of a qualified egyptian Quran tutor, it is definitely a step worth taking because their insightful comments and profound knowledge of Tajweed in addition to the implementation of effective teaching techniques guarantee that you are able to apply the rules of Madd with precision.
5- Regular Repetition
Remember that while repetition may sound exhausting but it is one of the methods which have proved successful since forever. So, follow the recitation of a Qari and repeat after him, record your own recitation and match it to the recitation of the Qari and keep doing that until you reach mastery of the rules of Madd.
Conclusion
The rule of Madd Muttasil is one of the essential rules of Tajweed due to its common occurrence in the verses of the Quran. To master it correctly, make sure that you follow the guidance of your tutor or the recitation of a renowned Qari. Enrolling in online Tajweed classes can also help you properly apply this rule and eventually perfect your recitation of the Quran, following the recitation of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his righteous companions.