|
|
[Best
viewed with Microsoft Internet Explorer]
Signs of Waqf (pauses) in the Qur’aan
Prepared
for Madrasa-tun-Noor – P.O. Box 4456 – Hamden – Connecticut –
06514 – USA
When the people of any language speak, there are some places where they pause and some places where they do not break their words, depending on the meaning they wish to convey. The style of the Qur’aan is such that there are also places where one should either pause or continue reading.
The Arabic word 
(waqf) literally means “stop.” In terms of recitation of the Qur’aan it
refers to the breaking of the voice for a period while the reciter stops to
take a breath with the intention of continuing the recitation. In order to
prevent mistakes in recitation, various abbreviated signs are provided in the
Qur’aan for those who are not familiar with the Qur’aanic sciences and the
Arabic language. It is necessary to follow all these signs as strictly as
possible in order to prevent mistakes in recitation. The signs, listed and
explained below, appear in the Qur’aan slightly smaller and higher than the
rest of the text. See the reverse side for a sample page from the Qur’aan.
- 
- waqf
taam or “perfect stop”: This sign indicates the end of a verse. At this
point, the meaning is complete and one should stop reading and take a breath
before continuing. Originally, this sign was written as 
,
but is now simply indicated by a circle.
- 
- waqf
laazim or “required stop”: It is absolutely necessary to stop here. If one
does not do so, the meaning will be changed drastically. A rough example in
English would be to say: “Stand not! Sit!” as opposed to “Stand! Not sit!” In
such a case the meaning has been changed to the opposite of what was intended.
- 
- waqf
mutlaq or “absolute stop”: One should break the breath and voice before
continuing. This differs from the ayah in that the full sentence has not been completed yet and there is
something more to follow before the meaning is complete.
- 
- waqf jaa’iz or “permissible stop”:
It is better to stop here but if one does not, that is fine.
- 
- waqf mujawwaz: It is better not to
stop here.
- 
- waqf murakh-khas or “licensed
pause”: One should continue reading at this sign but if one is tired and pauses
to take a breath, it is also permissible. It is more desireable to continue at
this sign than at .
- 
- al-wasl awlaa or “continuing is
preferable”: It is better to continue reciting here.
- 
- qeela ‘alayhil-waqf: It has been said
that it is better not to stop here. This sign indicates differing opinions on
whether to stop or not.
- 
- qad yusal: It is better to stop here
but to continue is permissible.
- qif or “stop!”: This sign is used
where it is anticipated that the reciter might otherwise continue reading
instead of stopping.
- 
saktah or “silence”: At this sign one
should stop reading but not break the breath before continuing. There are four
places in the Qur’aan where it is obligatory: in verses occurring in Surah Kahf, Yaaseen, Qiyaamah and Mutaf-fifeen.
- waqfah: One should pause here longer
than at a ,
again without breaking the breath.
- laa
or “no!”: One should absolutely not stop here because to do so would affect the
meaning. If this sign occurs on top of an ,
it is still better not to stop but if one does so, the meaning will be all
right.
- 
- kadhaalik or “like that”: One should
apply the previous sign of waqf at this position as well.
- 
- mu’aanaqah or “embracing
stop”: These dot triples appear in
pairs close to each other and indicate that a stop at the first makes a stop at
the second prohibited because the meaning would become incomplete. Thus, one
can stop at one or the other of these marks but not both.
- Indicates a point where there are differing
opinions as to whether it is the end of an ayah
or not.
- waqf-un-nabi: Indicates places where the Prophet (
) paused.
- waqf
ghufraan: It is said that if the
reciter and listener make du’a when pausing at these places, it will be
accepted.
- waqf manzil: also known as
waqf jibra’il is where Jibreel (peace be upon him) paused
at the time of revelation.
Note: In any case where
two signs appear together, one above the other, preference should be given to
the one on top.
This summary of the signs of waqf covers the most common signs. There are many other
details of the rules of waqf,
some of which may be found at the back of some Qur’aans.