Al-Lisan (The Tongue)

Articulation Points

اللسان

The tongue, the most productive articulation area, with ten points producing eighteen letters.

When it applies

  • ق
  • ك
  • ج
  • ش
  • ي
  • ض
  • ل
  • ن
  • ر
  • ط
  • د
  • ت
  • ص
  • ز
  • س
  • ظ
  • ذ
  • ث

How to pronounce it

Work from the back forward: qaf and kaf at the rear, then the middle, the sides for dad, and the tip for the majority.

Worked examples

Each is cited so you can find it in the mushaf and check it yourself.

ReferenceExampleNote
112:1قُلْQaf from the back of the tongue.
1:7الضَّالِّينَDad from the side of the tongue.

Common mistakes

  • Pronouncing dad as a heavy dal.
  • Bringing qaf forward so it sounds like kaf.

Other rules in this group