Rules of Ra
Ra Tafkhim
The ra is pronounced heavy when it carries a fathah or dammah, or a sukun preceded by one of them.
تفخيم الراء
Scope
When it applies
- رَ
- رُ
- رْ after fathah or dammah
Method
How to pronounce it
Raise the back of the tongue toward the roof of the mouth so the ra sounds full and rounded.
Examples
Worked examples
Each is cited so you can find it in the mushaf and check it yourself.
| Reference | Example | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1:1 | الرَّحْمَٰنِ | Heavy ra with fathah. |
| 110:2 | وَرَأَيْتَ | Heavy ra. |
Honestly
Common mistakes
- Thinning the ra under the influence of English pronunciation.
- Rolling the ra excessively, which is takrir and is avoided.
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 Ra Tafkhim?
The ra is pronounced heavy when it carries a fathah or dammah, or a sukun preceded by one of them.
Which letters does Ra Tafkhim apply to?
رَ، رُ، رْ after fathah or dammah — 3 letters in total.
How is Ra Tafkhim applied?
Raise the back of the tongue toward the roof of the mouth so the ra sounds full and rounded.
What mistakes are common with Ra Tafkhim?
Thinning the ra under the influence of English pronunciation. and Rolling the ra excessively, which is takrir and is avoided.. These are the reason the rule is learned with a tutor listening rather than from a written description.
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