Rules of Elongation in Surah Al-Kahf
Elongation can be categorized into two types: natural (or original) elongation and secondary elongation. The regulations governing elongation in the Holy Quran are numerous. Examples of these can be found in Surah Al-Kahf as follows:
Natural (Original) Elongation
This type of elongation is defined by the presence of the elongation letters without depending on any external factors like hamzah or sukoon. The letters of elongation are alif, waw, and ya. It is called ‘natural’ because it remains consistent within its limits, neither exceeding nor falling short. Natural elongation is divided into two categories: total elongation and letter elongation. Here are some examples from various verses in Surah Al-Kahf:
- Allah -the Exalted- stated: (وَيُنذِرَ الَّذينَ قالُوا اتَّخَذَ اللَّـهُ وَلَدًا), featuring the letter waw followed by neither hamzah nor sukoon, indicating its elongation.
- Allah -the Exalted- mentioned: (فَلَعَلَّكَ باخِعٌ نَفسَكَ عَلى آثارِهِم إِن لَم يُؤمِنوا بِهـذَا الحَديثِ أَسَفًا), where the letter waw appears without a hamzah or sukoon thereafter, representing an elongation letter.
- In another verse, Allah -the Exalted- says: (هـؤُلاءِ قَومُنَا اتَّخَذوا مِن دونِهِ آلِهَةً لَولا يَأتونَ عَلَيهِم بِسُلطانٍ بَيِّنٍ فَمَن أَظلَمُ مِمَّنِ افتَرى عَلَى اللَّـهِ كَذِبًا), illustrating the letter waw without an intervening hamzah or sukoon, indicative of elongation.
- Allah -the Exalted- reveals: (وَرَبَطنا عَلى قُلوبِهِم إِذ قاموا فَقالوا رَبُّنا رَبُّ السَّماواتِ وَالأَرضِ لَن نَدعُوَ مِن دونِهِ إِلـهًا لَقَد قُلنا إِذًا شَطَطًا).
- Allah -the Exalted- also states: (أُولـئِكَ لَهُم جَنّاتُ عَدنٍ تَجري مِن تَحتِهِمُ الأَنهارُ يُحَلَّونَ فيها مِن أَساوِرَ مِن ذَهَبٍ وَيَلبَسونَ ثِيابًا خُضرًا مِن سُندُسٍ وَإِستَبرَقٍ مُتَّكِئينَ فيها عَلَى الأَرائِكِ نِعمَ الثَّوابُ وَحَسُنَت مُرتَفَقًا), featuring the letter ya without hamzah or sukoon, representing its elongation.
Secondary Elongation
Secondary elongation involves extending the sound of an elongation letter beyond the natural length, and its occurrence depends on an external cause, such as a hamzah or sukoon. It is commonly referred to as ‘added elongation’ due to its increased length compared to natural elongation. It can be classified into three types: substitution elongation, connected elongation, and separated elongation.
Examples from various verses in Surah Al-Kahf include:
- Allah -the Exalted- noted: (الحَمدُ لِلَّـهِ الذي أَنزَلَ عَلى عَبدِهِ الكِتابَ وَلَم يَجعَل لَهُ عِوَجًا), where ya is present followed by a hamzah.
- Additionally, Allah -the Exalted- states: (وَكَذلِكَ بَعَثناهُم لِيَتَساءَلوا بَينَهُم قالَ قائِلٌ مِنهُم كَم لَبِثتُم قالوا لَبِثنا يَومًا أَو بَعضَ يَومٍ).
- Another verse reads: (وَكَذلِكَ أَعثَرنا عَلَيهِم لِيَعلَموا أَنَّ وَعدَ اللَّـهِ حَقٌّ وَأَنَّ السّاعَةَ لا رَيبَ فيها).
- Allah -the Exalted- also declares: (قُل رَبّي أَعلَمُ بِعِدَّتِهِم ما يَعلَمُهُم إِلّا قَليلٌ فَلا تُمارِ فيهِم إِلّا مِراءً ظاهِرًا وَلا تَستَفتِ فيهِم مِنهُم أَحَدًا).
- Lastly, Allah -the Exalted- mentions: (إِلّا أَن يَشاءَ اللَّـهُ وَاذكُر رَبَّكَ إِذا نَسيتَ وَقُل عَسى أَن يَهدِيَنِ رَبّي لِأَقرَبَ مِن هـذا رَشَدًا).
Overview of Surah Al-Kahf
Surah Al-Kahf is a Makki surah agreed upon by scholars, ranking as the eighteenth chapter in the order of the Quran and the sixty-eighth in the order of revelation. It was revealed subsequent to Surah Al-Ghashiyah and prior to Surah Al-Shura, and it is one of the surahs revealed in its entirety. The total number of verses in Surah Al-Kahf is 110, and numerous authentic Hadiths emphasize its significance. Notably, as narrated by Muslim through Abu Darda -may Allah be pleased with him-, the Prophet -peace be upon him- stated: (Whoever memorizes ten verses from the beginning of Surah Al-Kahf will be safeguarded from the Dajjal).