Meem Sakinah
Ikhfa Shafawi
A meem sakinah followed by ب is hidden at the lips with a two-count nasal sound.
إخفاء شفوي
Scope
When it applies
- ب
Method
How to pronounce it
Bring the lips together very lightly — touching but not pressed — and hold the nasal sound before releasing into the ba.
Examples
Worked examples
Each is cited so you can find it in the mushaf and check it yourself.
| Reference | Example | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 2:8 | وَمَا هُمْ بِمُؤْمِنِينَ | Meem sakinah before ba. |
| 105:4 | تَرْمِيهِمْ بِحِجَارَةٍ | Meem hidden at the lips. |
Honestly
Common mistakes
- Pressing the lips firmly, which produces a clear meem.
- Omitting the ghunnah entirely.
Related
Other rules in this group
Rules are learned by ear, not by list
A tutor hears the sound you are making and corrects it. That is the part a written rule cannot do.
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Questions about this rule
What is Ikhfa Shafawi?
A meem sakinah followed by ب is hidden at the lips with a two-count nasal sound.
Which letters does Ikhfa Shafawi apply to?
ب — 1 letter in total.
How is Ikhfa Shafawi applied?
Bring the lips together very lightly — touching but not pressed — and hold the nasal sound before releasing into the ba.
What mistakes are common with Ikhfa Shafawi?
Pressing the lips firmly, which produces a clear meem. and Omitting the ghunnah entirely.. These are the reason the rule is learned with a tutor listening rather than from a written description.
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