Tajwid rule
Madd (elongation)
المدّ
Transliteration: Madd
What it is
Madd means lengthening a vowel sound. The three long-vowel letters (ا ي و) create a natural madd of two counts whenever they follow a matching short vowel. Additional counts apply when a hamza or sukoon follows.
When it applies
Any time a vowel letter (ا، ي، و) follows a matching harakah (fatha, kasra, damma). Different sub-types apply: madd asli (natural, 2 counts), madd muttasil (5 counts), madd munfasil (2 or 4 counts), madd lazim (6 counts).
How it sounds
The vowel is held for its specified number of counts before moving on. The most common is the natural two-count madd; the longer ones give the recitation its characteristic melodic pace.
Examples from the Mushaf
الرَّحْمَٰنِ
ar-raḥmān
Al-Fatihah 1:1
الْحَمْدُ لِلَّـهِ
al-ḥamdu lil-lāh
Al-Fatihah 1:2
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