Ḥāʾ

Video of the Letter Ḥāʼ:

This short video presents the articulation and characteristics of the letter Ḥāʼ, showing its correct pronunciation with Qur’anic examples, and highlighting the most common mistakes made by readers.

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First: Articulation Point of the Letter Ḥāʼ:

The letter Ḥāʼ is articulated from the middle of the throat, sharing its articulation point with the letter ʿAyn. However, ʿAyn is slightly deeper into the throat than Ḥāʼ. Unlike ʿAyn, narrowing of the throat does not happen when pronouncing Ḥāʼ, which makes it easier to pronounce, as shown in the diagram.

Second: Main Characteristics of the Letter Ḥāʼ:

• Rikhawah (flexibility) • Hams (whispering) • Istifāl (non-elevation of the back of the tongue)

In the articulation diagram, it is clear that the articulation point is open, allowing the sound to flow when pronounced and is not cut upruptly, which is the meaning of Rakhawah.

Ḥāʼ is whispered (Mahmoos), meaning that extra breath flows with its sound.

It is also a letter of Istifāl, which means the back of the tongue remains lowered, so it is pronounced lightly (Muraqaq).

Third: Pronunciation of Ḥāʼ in Different States with Qur’anic Examples:

You can click on the word to hear the correct pronunciation.

Ḥāʼ in the non-vowelled (Sukūn) State:
أَحْ	أُحْ	إِحْ
﴿أَحۡسَنُ﴾	﴿وَأُحۡضِرَتِ﴾	﴿فٱحۡتَرَقَتۡ﴾

Ḥāʼ with Short Vowels (Harakat):
حَ	حُ	حِ
﴿حَبّٗا﴾	﴿حُجَّةٌ﴾	﴿حِسَابٗا﴾

Ḥāʼ with Long Vowels (Madd letters):
حا	حو	حي
﴿وَحَاقَ﴾	﴿حُوبٗا﴾	﴿حِيلَةٗ﴾

Ḥāʼ with Shaddah (Doubled):
أَحَّ	–	أَحِّ
﴿سَحَّارٍ﴾	–	﴿وَلِيُمَحِّصَ﴾

Fourth: Common Mistakes in Pronouncing Ḥāʼ:

• Pronouncing it like an intense letter by cutting the sound quickly, such as: ﴿ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ﴾. The correct way is to apply Rakhāwah: ﴿ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ﴾. Allah says: ﴿ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ﴾.
• Merging it with ʿAyn when it is followed by it, and that happens when Ḥā’ is non-vowelled (Sakin), like in: ﴿فَٱصۡفَحۡ عَنۡهُمۡ﴾. The correct way is to to clarify the Ḥā’ and separate it from ‘Ayn: ﴿فَٱصۡفَحۡ عَنۡهُمۡ﴾. Allah says: ﴿فَٱصۡفَحۡ عَنۡهُمۡ وَقُلۡ سَلَٰمٞۚ﴾.
• Pronouncing it heavily (tafkhīm), especially near heavy letters, like: ﴿حَصۡحَصَ﴾. The correct pronunciation is light(Muraqqaq): ﴿حَصۡحَصَ﴾. Allah says: ﴿ٱلۡـَٰٔنَ حَصۡحَصَ ٱلۡحَقُّ﴾.
• Replacing it with Khā’ or Hā’, such as in: ﴿ٱلۡحَمۡدُ﴾. The correct pronunciation is: ﴿ٱلۡحَمۡدُ﴾. Allah says: ﴿ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ﴾.

التحديد (104)، الرعاية (164)، نهاية القول المفيد (50)، هداية القاري (1/65)، التجويد المصور (48)، المنير (54).

الرعاية (164)، نهاية القول المفيد (93)، هداية القاري (1/95)، التجويد المصور (97)، المنير (95).

Lesson Content

Lesson questions

1. الحروف العربية

Introductions

Ḥāʾ