First: Definition and the Letter of Iqlāb
Iqlāb is the conversion of a nūn sākinah or tanwīn into a concealed mīm when followed by the letter bāʼ, with nasalization (ghunnah) of two counts, without adding a shaddah.
When concealing the mīm, the lips should be closed lightly without pressing them together.
It is essential to learn the practical pronunciation of this rule through oral transmission from a qualified reciter. ¹
Second: Examples of Iqlāb
Iqlāb can occur within one word or between two words. Example within a word: ﴿لَيُنۢبَذَنَّ﴾. Example between two words: ﴿مِنۢ بَعۡدِ﴾, and: ﴿سَمِيعَۢا بَصِيرٗا﴾.
Here are some illustrative cases of iqlāb:
| Case | Example |
| With nūn in one word | ﴿أَنۢبُِٔونِي﴾ |
| With nūn across two words | ﴿مِنۢ بَعۡدِهِم﴾ |
| With ḍammah tanwīn | ﴿عَلِيمُۢ بِذَاتِ﴾ |
| With kasrah tanwīn | ﴿زَوۡجِۢ بَهِيجٖ﴾ |
| With fatḥah tanwīn | ﴿سَمِيعَۢا بَصِيرٗا﴾ |
Third: Mark of Iqlāb in the Mushaf
The scholars of Qur’anic orthography placed a small mīm above the nūn sākinah before the letter bāʼ to indicate the rule of iqlāb. As for tanwīn, they replaced the second vowel marker with a small mīm. ²
Ar-Riʿāyah (pp. 265–266), At-Taḥdeed (p. 117), Nihāyat al-Qawl al-Mufīd (p. 167), Hidayat al-Qari (1/162), Al-Tajweed al-Musawwar (p. 137), Al-Muneer (p. 141).
Al-Tajweed al-Musawwar (p. 138), Al-Muneer (p. 142).