The Ultimate Guide to the Rules of Nun Sakinah and Tanween: Mastering Tajweed Basics
When you listen to a skilled reciter of the Holy Quran, you notice a mesmerizing flow—a rhythm that touches the soul. This beauty isn’t accidental; it is the result of strictly adhering to the rules of Tajweed. Among the most critical and frequent rules you will encounter are the Rules of Nun Sakinah and Tanween.
For non-native speakers, these rules can seem complex at first. Why does the “N” sound disappear sometimes? Why does it turn into an “M” sound in other places? Why is it sometimes held long in the nose?
Understanding these distinct changes is the gateway to moving from simply “reading” Arabic text to “reciting” the Quran as it was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Whether you are a beginner in our Noorani Qaida Course or advancing in your Quran Recitation Course, mastering these four fundamental rules is non-negotiable.
In this detailed guide, we will break down the Rules of Nun Sakinah and Tanween into simple, digestible concepts, providing you with the knowledge you need to recite with confidence and precision.
What Are Nun Sakinah and Tanween?
Before diving into the rules, we must define the subjects of these rules.
1. Nun Sakinah (النون الساكنة)
This is a static Noon (نْ). It is a Noon free from any vowel (Fatha, Kasra, or Damma). It has a Sukoon sign (or sometimes no sign at all in the Mushaf) on top of it.
Key Feature: It is a fixed letter that is pronounced and written. It occurs in nouns, verbs, and particles.
Example: Man (مَنْ), An-’amta (أَنْعَمْتَ).
2. Tanween (التنوين)
Tanween implies “Nunation” (adding an ‘N’ sound). It is an extra Nun Sakinah sound added to the end of nouns specifically.
Key Feature: It is pronounced as an ‘N’ but not written as an ‘N’. Instead, it is indicated by doubled vowel signs:
Fathatain (ً) – sounds like an.
Kasratain (ٍ) – sounds like in.
Dammatain (ٌ) – sounds like un.
Example: Kitabun (كِتَابٌ). You hear “Bun”, but you see a Ba with two Dammas.
The Golden Rule: Since Tanween creates a Nun Sakinah sound, the rules that apply to the written Nun (Nun Sakinah) also apply to the spoken Nun (Tanween).
Tajweed of the Holy Quran
The 4 Rules of Nun Sakinah and Tanween
Depending on the letter that follows the Nun Sakinah or Tanween, one of four things will happen to the pronunciation. These are the four pillars:
Izhar (Clarity)
Idgham (Merging)
Iqlab (Conversion)
Ikhfa (Concealment)
Let’s explore each one in detail.
1. Izhar (الإظهار): Making it Clear
Izhar means “manifestation” or “clarity.”
In Tajweed, it means pronouncing the ‘N’ sound of the Nun Sakinah or Tanween clearly, without any extra pull (Ghunnah) or merging. You simply hit the ‘N’ and move quickly to the next letter.
When does it happen?
If the Nun Sakinah or Tanween is followed by any of the 6 Throat Letters (Huroof Al-Halq):
Hamza (ء)
Ha (هـ)
‘Ayn (ع)
Hha (ح)
Ghayn (غ)
Kha (خ)
How to Pronounce:
Keep the tip of your tongue touching the gums of the upper front teeth for the ‘N’ sound, make it sharp, and then immediately pronounce the throat letter.
Examples:
With Nun Sakinah: Man Aamana (مَنْ آمَنَ) – The ‘N’ is clear because of the Hamza.
With Tanween: Kufuwan Ahad (كُفُوًا أَحَد) – The ‘an’ sound ends sharply before the ‘A’.
2. Idgham (الإدغام): Merging the Sound
Idgham means “to merge” or “to insert.”
Here, you insert the Nun Sakinah or Tanween into the following letter so they become one emphasized letter (Mushaddad). The ‘N’ sound effectively disappears into the next letter.
When does it happen?
If the Nun Sakinah or Tanween is followed by any of the letters in the word YARMALOON (يَرْمَلُون):
(Ya – Ra – Meem – Lam – Waw – Noon).
Idgham is divided into two types:
Type A: Idgham with Ghunnah (Merging with Nasal Sound)
Letters: YANMO (Ya, Noon, Meem, Waw).
Technique: You merge the ‘N’ into the letter, but you hold a nasal sound (Ghunnah) for 2 counts.
Example: May-Ya’mal (مَن يَعْمَلْ). You do not say “Man Ya’mal”. You say “Mayya’mal” with a nasal buzz.
Type B: Idgham without Ghunnah (Complete Merging)
Letters: R L (Ra, Lam).
Technique: The ‘N’ is completely skipped. You jump straight from the letter before the Nun to the Ra or Lam. No nasal sound.
Example: Mir-Rabbihim (مِن رَّبِّهِمْ). It sounds like “Mirrabbihim”.
3. Iqlab (الإقلاب): The Transformation
Iqlab means “to change” or “turn over.”
This is the easiest rule to identify but requires practice to perfect. Here, the ‘N’ sound changes entirely into a ‘M’ (Meem) sound.
When does it happen?
When Nun Sakinah or Tanween is followed by exactly one letter: Ba (ب).
How to Pronounce:
Instead of saying “N”, you close your lips gently to make a “M” sound, accompanied by a Ghunnah (nasal sound) for 2 counts. In the Quran (Mushaf), you will often see a tiny Meem (م) written over the Nun to remind you.
Examples:
Word: Mim-Ba’di (مِنْ بَعْدِ).
Pronunciation: It is pronounced as “Mimba’di”.
Tanween Example: Samee’un Baseer (سَمِيعٌ بَصِير). Pronounced: “Samee’um Baseer”.
4. Ikhfa (الإخفاء): The Concealment
Ikhfa means “to hide.” This is the most common rule because it applies to the remaining 15 letters of the alphabet.
It is a state between Izhar (clarity) and Idgham (merging).
When does it happen?
If Nun Sakinah or Tanween is followed by any letter EXCEPT the Throat letters (Izhar), YARMALOON (Idgham), or Ba (Iqlab).
The Letters: Ta (ت), Tha (ث), Jeem (ج), Dal (د), Dhal (ذ), Zay (ز), Seen (س), Sheen (ش), Sad (ص), Dad (ض), Ta (ط), Za (ظ), Fa (ف), Qaf (ق), Kaf (ك).
How to Pronounce:
You hide the ‘N’ sound. Your tongue should not touch the roof of your mouth (as it does in Izhar). Instead, it hovers near the articulation point of the next letter while you produce a Ghunnah (nasal sound) for 2 counts.
Important Note: The sound of the Ghunnah depends on the letter coming next:
Heavy Ghunnah: If followed by heavy letters (like Sad, Dad, Qaf, etc.), the nasal sound is thick/heavy.
Example: Min Qabl (مِن قَبْلِ).
Light Ghunnah: If followed by light letters (like Ta, Seen, Fa), the nasal sound is light/thin.
Example: In Kuntum (إِن كُنتُمْ).
Summary Table for Quick Reference
| Rule | Meaning | Letters | Action |
| Izhar | Clarity | ء هـ ع ح غ خ | Pronounce ‘N’ clearly. No Ghunnah. |
| Idgham | Merging | YARMALOON | Merge ‘N’ into next letter. (With or without Ghunnah). |
| Iqlab | Conversion | ب (Ba) | Change ‘N’ to ‘M’ with Ghunnah. |
| Ikhfa | Hiding | Rest of Alphabet (15 letters) | Hide ‘N’, hold Ghunnah (Heavy or Light). |
Why You Need a Teacher to Master These Rules
Reading about the Rules of Nun Sakinah and Tanween is the first step, but applying them correctly is a different challenge.
Can you distinguish between a heavy and light Ghunnah in Ikhfa?
Are you merging the letters in Idgham without swallowing the sound?
Is your Izhar too sharp or too loose?
These subtleties cannot be mastered through articles or videos alone. You need a listening ear—a qualified teacher who can correct your tongue placement in real-time.
At Al-Wafaa Institute, our Tajweed Course is designed to take you from theoretical knowledge to practical application. Our tutors are native Arabic speakers trained to teach students in the UK and USA, simplifying complex rules into easy-to-follow steps.
Conclusion
The Rules of Nun Sakinah and Tanween add melody, precision, and depth to Quranic recitation. They are the heartbeat of Tajweed. While the logic is simple—check the letter after the Nun—the execution requires practice.
Do not let these rules intimidate you. Every beautiful recitation you hear started with a student struggling to remember the difference between Izhar and Ikhfa. You are on a noble journey.
Ready to perfect your recitation?
[Join Al-Wafaa Institute today for a Free Trial Class] and let our experts guide you through the beauty of Tajweed, one rule at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the most common rule of Nun Sakinah?
A: Ikhfa is the most common rule because it applies to 15 letters—more than any other rule.
Q: Does Tanween always follow the same rules as Nun Sakinah?
A: Yes, absolutely. In Tajweed, Tanween is treated exactly like a Nun Sakinah because they produce the exact same sound, even though they are written differently.
Q: What is Ghunnah?
A: Ghunnah is a nasal sound produced from the nose (not the throat). It is an essential part of Idgham, Iqlab, and Ikhfa.
Q: Can I learn these rules online?
A: Yes! Online learning is highly effective for Tajweed. Al-Wafaa Institute offers one-on-one video sessions where teachers can see and hear you to correct your pronunciation instantly.