Madd ‘Arid Lissukun: Stopping at the End of an Ayah

Madd ‘arid lissukun happens when a madd letter (ا, و or ي) is followed by a letter you stop on, so that letter takes a temporary sukun. Because the sukun only appears when you stop, the madd is called ‘arid (temporary or incidental), and in the reading of Hafs ‘an ‘Asim you may stretch it for 2, 4 or 6 counts. The classic example is stopping at الْعَالَمِينَ at the end of the first ayah of Al-Fatiha. It is one of the first rules students practice in online Tajweed classes, because it occurs at the end of almost every ayah you recite.

This guide explains exactly when the rule applies, how to choose your length, how it differs from madd lazim, and the details that most explanations skip: rawm, ishmam, madd leen and stopping on a hamza.

When Does Madd ‘Arid Lissukun Happen?

Three conditions must come together:

1. A madd letter: alif after fatha, waw sakinah after damma, or ya sakinah after kasra.
2. It is followed by one voweled letter at the end of the word.
3. You stop on that word, so the final vowel is dropped and the letter becomes sakin.

Take نَسْتَعِينُ (nasta’in). If you continue reading, the final noon keeps its damma and the ya is an ordinary madd tabi’i of 2 counts. If you stop, the noon becomes sakin, and now a madd letter is followed by a sukun. That temporary sukun is what turns a 2-count madd into madd ‘arid lissukun.

Common examples

Notice how often this occurs at the ends of ayahs. In many surahs, almost every ayah ends with a madd ‘arid when you stop there.

How Many Counts: 2, 4 or 6?

All three lengths are valid in Hafs ‘an ‘Asim via al-Shatibiyyah:

• Qasr (2 counts): treating the madd like a natural madd, because the sukun is only temporary.
• Tawassut (4 counts): a middle length.
• Tul (6 counts): a full stretch, treating the temporary sukun like a real one.

Many teachers begin students on 4 or 6 counts, because the longer stretch makes the stop clear and gives a calm, measured feel to recitation. But no length is more correct than another.

The consistency rule

Once you choose a length, keep it for every madd ‘arid in the same recitation. Reading الْعَالَمِينَ with 6 counts and الرَّحِيمِ with 2 counts in the same sitting is considered a flaw. This principle of equal treatment is one of the clearest marks of a well-trained reciter.

Try the tool below: choose “A letter I stop on” to see the madd ‘arid, then compare it with the other madd types.

Madd ‘Arid vs Madd Lazim

Both involve a madd letter followed by a sukun, which is why students mix them up. The difference is whether the sukun is permanent.

Look closely at الضَّالِّينَ at the end of Al-Fatiha. It contains both: the alif before the doubled lam is madd lazim (6 counts, always), and the ya before the final noon becomes madd ‘arid when you stop. Our article on madd lazim and its four types covers the permanent version in detail.

Scholars rank madd lazim as the strongest madd, followed by madd muttasil, then madd ‘arid, then madd munfasil, with madd badal the weakest. This order helps when two rules meet in one word.

Stopping on a Hamza: When Madd ‘Arid Meets Madd Muttasil

Some words end in a madd letter followed by a hamza, such as السَّمَاءِ or يَشَاءُ. While reading continuously, this is madd muttasil (4 or 5 counts in Hafs via al-Shatibiyyah). When you stop, the hamza also takes a temporary sukun, so a second reason for stretching appears.

In this case, you may read 4, 5 or 6 counts. You cannot go down to 2, because the madd muttasil is obligatory and stronger. See our guide to madd muttasil and madd munfasil for how those two work when you are not stopping.

Rawm and Ishmam: Two Ways of Stopping That Change the Count

Stopping with a full sukun is the usual way, but there are two other ways of stopping in the reading of Hafs, and they affect the madd.

• Rawm: you pronounce about a third of the final vowel, in a soft, low voice. It applies only to words ending in damma or kasra. Because the vowel is partly pronounced, there is no true sukun, so the madd goes back to 2 counts. For example, stopping on الرَّحِيمِ with rawm means a short madd and a faint kasra on the meem.
• Ishmam: you close the lips as if saying a damma, without any sound, right after the sukun. It applies only to words ending in damma, such as نَسْتَعِينُ. Since the sukun is still complete, all three lengths (2, 4 or 6) remain valid.

Words ending in fatha, such as الْعَالَمِينَ, can only be stopped with a plain sukun. These details are best learned by ear from a qualified teacher, since rawm in particular is subtle.

Madd Leen at a Stop

Madd leen is a waw or ya with sukun after a fatha, as in خَوْفٍ or الْبَيْتِ. When you continue reading, it has no stretch at all. When you stop on the next letter, it may be read with 2, 4 or 6 counts, like madd ‘arid.

Surah Quraysh is the perfect practice text: قُرَيْشٍ, الصَّيْفِ, الْبَيْتِ and خَوْفٍ all end with madd leen at a stop.

Teachers usually add one condition: madd leen is weaker than madd ‘arid, so it should not be longer than the length you chose for madd ‘arid in the same recitation. If you read madd ‘arid with 4 counts, read madd leen with 2 or 4, not 6.

Common Mistakes With Madd ‘Arid

• Stretching while continuing. If you join an ayah to the next, there is no madd ‘arid; the madd letter is just 2 counts.
• Inconsistent lengths. Switching between 2, 4 and 6 within the same reading.
• Stretching the wrong letter. The length belongs to the madd letter, not the final letter you stop on. Do not hum or extend the final noon or meem.
• Uneven counts. Rushing 6 counts at the end of a long ayah when you are short of breath. Take a full breath before ayahs you know end with a long stop.
• Making madd leen longer than madd ‘arid.

For a full overview of all madd types, see our guide to the types of madd in Tajweed, and for the wider picture, our introduction to how to read the Quran with Tajweed.

Counting madd evenly is much easier with someone listening. In our one-to-one Tajweed course, a certified teacher who holds Ijazah hears every stop and helps you keep your counts steady and consistent.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does ‘arid lissukun mean?

It means “temporary because of the sukun.” The sukun on the last letter appears only because you stop, so the madd caused by it is temporary too.

Which is best: 2, 4 or 6 counts?

All three are correct in Hafs ‘an ‘Asim. Many teachers start students on 4 or 6 counts, but what matters most is keeping the same length throughout a recitation.

Is madd ‘arid lissukun obligatory?

The stretching beyond 2 counts is permitted rather than required, which is why 2 counts is also valid. The rule that is expected of every reciter is consistency once you have made your choice.

What happens to madd ‘arid if I don’t stop?

It disappears. The last letter keeps its vowel, and the madd letter is read as a natural madd of 2 counts.

How do I learn to count madd accurately?

Count with steady finger movements at first, record yourself and listen back, and recite to a teacher who can check your timing. You can start with a free trial in our Tajweed rules course.

Madraset El Quran Academy

Editor@madrasatelquran.com

Madraset Elquran Academy is a world-class platform for learning Quran, Arabic, and Islamic Studies, recognized globally for its excellence. As one of the leading online Quran schools, we offer personalized one-on-one sessions with expert native Egyptian tutors, providing high-quality education for learners of all levels.

View all posts