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The rules of meem sakinah (مْ) are three: Ikhfa shafawi, Idgham shafawi and Izhar shafawi. They are called “shafawi” (labial) because meem is pronounced with the lips.
| Rule | Letter after meem | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Ikhfa shafawi (hiding) | ب | تَرْمِيهِمْ بِحِجَارَةٍ |
| Idgham shafawi (merging) | م | لَهُمْ مَا يَشَاءُونَ |
| Izhar shafawi (clear) | All other letters | لَهُمْ فِيهَا، عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا |
Ikhfa shafawi
When ب follows meem sakinah, the meem is hidden with ghunnah, lips touching lightly: وَمَا هُمْ بِمُؤْمِنِينَ.
Idgham shafawi
When another meem follows, the two merge into one doubled meem with ghunnah: كَمْ مِنْ فِئَةٍ.
Izhar shafawi
With every other letter the meem is pronounced clearly. Take extra care before و and ف, where it is easy to hide it by mistake: عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ، هُمْ فِيهَا.
Part of our Tajweed Rules Chart, a complete overview of all the rules.
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Practise meem sakinah with a teacher
Tajweed is learned by listening and reciting to a qualified teacher; reading the rules is only the start. At Al-Azhar Message Academy you recite one-to-one on Zoom or Google Meet to a male or female teacher who is an Al-Azhar graduate holding ijazah with a connected sanad, and the teacher corrects you live. Plans start at $40 per month for 8 lessons, and your first 30-minute lesson is free. See Learn Tajweed rules online and Online Quran Classes for Adults.
Frequently Asked Questions about meem sakinah
How many rules does meem sakinah have?
Three: ikhfa shafawi before ب, idgham shafawi before م, and izhar shafawi before all other letters.
What is the most common mistake?
Hiding the meem before و or ف, where it should be clear.
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