Rules of Ra
Ra Tarqiq
The ra is pronounced light when it carries a kasrah, or a sukun preceded by a kasrah.
ترقيق الراء
Scope
When it applies
- رِ
- رْ after kasrah
Method
How to pronounce it
Keep the tongue low and the sound thin, closer to an English "r" in "rip" than a rolled Arabic ra.
Examples
Worked examples
Each is cited so you can find it in the mushaf and check it yourself.
| Reference | Example | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 108:2 | وَانْحَرْ | Compare with heavy contexts. |
| 1:6 | الصِّرَاطَ | Context determines weight. |
Honestly
Common mistakes
- Applying heaviness by default to every ra.
- Ignoring the vowel before a ra with sukun.
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 Tarqiq?
The ra is pronounced light when it carries a kasrah, or a sukun preceded by a kasrah.
Which letters does Ra Tarqiq apply to?
رِ، رْ after kasrah — 2 letters in total.
How is Ra Tarqiq applied?
Keep the tongue low and the sound thin, closer to an English "r" in "rip" than a rolled Arabic ra.
What mistakes are common with Ra Tarqiq?
Applying heaviness by default to every ra. and Ignoring the vowel before a ra with sukun.. These are the reason the rule is learned with a tutor listening rather than from a written description.
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