Articulation Points
Ash-Shafatayn (The Lips)
The lips, producing four letters.
الشفتين
Scope
When it applies
- ف
- ب
- م
- و
Method
How to pronounce it
Fa uses the inner lower lip against the upper teeth. Ba, meem and waw use both lips, with differing degrees of closure.
Examples
Worked examples
Each is cited so you can find it in the mushaf and check it yourself.
| Reference | Example | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 105:1 | بِأَصْحَابِ | Ba from both lips. |
| 1:1 | بِسْمِ | Meem from both lips. |
Honestly
Common mistakes
- Rounding the lips for fa.
- Not closing fully for ba.
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 Ash-Shafatayn (The Lips)?
The lips, producing four letters.
Which letters does Ash-Shafatayn (The Lips) apply to?
ف، ب، م، و — 4 letters in total.
How is Ash-Shafatayn (The Lips) applied?
Fa uses the inner lower lip against the upper teeth. Ba, meem and waw use both lips, with differing degrees of closure.
What mistakes are common with Ash-Shafatayn (The Lips)?
Rounding the lips for fa. and Not closing fully for ba.. These are the reason the rule is learned with a tutor listening rather than from a written description.
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