Ra Tafkhim

Rules of Ra

تفخيم الراء

The ra is pronounced heavy when it carries a fathah or dammah, or a sukun preceded by one of them.

When it applies

  • رَ
  • رُ
  • رْ after fathah or dammah

How to pronounce it

Raise the back of the tongue toward the roof of the mouth so the ra sounds full and rounded.

Worked examples

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

ReferenceExampleNote
1:1الرَّحْمَٰنِHeavy ra with fathah.
110:2وَرَأَيْتَHeavy ra.

Common mistakes

  • Thinning the ra under the influence of English pronunciation.
  • Rolling the ra excessively, which is takrir and is avoided.

Other rules in this group