Definition of Izhār
The term “izhar” linguistically refers to clarity and articulation. In the context of Tajwid (Quranic recitation rules), izhar is defined as a rule regarding the pronunciation of the silent noon (ن) and tanween (تنوين). It involves articulating the letter from its proper place without any extra nasalization (ghunnah). This rule is specifically known as ‘izhar halqi’ because all six letters involved originate from the throat.
Letters of Izhār and Their Characteristics
The letters that constitute izhar are six in total. They have been compiled by Sulayman Al-Jamazuri in his work Tuhfat al-Atfal using the following verses:
The first izhar appears before the letters
that are from the throat, six in number, so you should know:
Alif, Ha, then ‘Ayn, and Ha,
the two neglected, then Ghain and Khaa.
Additionally, others have used a mnemonic sentence using the initial letters of the phrase: “أخي هاك علما حازه غير خاسر” (Akhī Hāk ‘Ilman Hāzā Ghayra Khāsir). All of these letters emanate from the throat and include:
- Alif (أ).
- Ha (هـ).
- ‘Ayn (ع).
- Ha (ح).
- Ghain (غ).
- Khaa (خ).
For izhar in the Holy Quran, the application is that the silent noon or tanween is followed by one of the six throat letters, adhering to these standards as outlined by scholars:
- Maintain the silence of the noon without emphasizing the following letter.
- In the case of tanween, it should be composite, again without emphasizing the following letter.
Degrees of Izhār
There are three degrees of izhar halqi based on the distance between the articulation points of the throat letters and the silent noon. These degrees are as follows:
- Maximum Degree
This occurs with the letters Alif and Ha, where the sound is produced from the deep throat.
- Intermediate Degree
This applies to the letters ‘Ayn and Ha, which are produced from the middle of the throat.
- Minimum Degree
This is relevant when using the letters Ghain and Khaa, which are articulated from the lower throat.
Reason for Izhār
The primary rationale for the application of the izhar halqi rule stems from the authentic narration of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Scholars of Tajwid explain that the reason behind izhar is the considerable distance between the articulation points of the izhar letters, which are articulated from the throat—distal from the lips—and the point of articulation of the silent noon and tanween, which is from the tip of the tongue alongside the upper gums.
This distance prevents the merging of sounds (idghaam). The main reasons for idghaam are similarity, compatibility, or proximity; due to the absence of these factors, izhar becomes the ruling approach between these letters.
Examples of Izhār
Izhar halqi can be found within single words and across two words. The following table provides examples of izhar with the silent noon in both single and dual word contexts using all six izhar letters, as well as with tanween:
| Throat Letter | With Tanween | With Silent Noon in a Word | With Silent Noon in Two Words |
| Alif | (وَمَا يَأْتِيهِم مِّن نَّبِيٍّ إِلَّا) | (وَيَنْأَوْنَ عَنْهُ ) | (وَاسْأَلْ مَنْ أَرْسَلْنَ) |
| Ha | (سَلَامٌ هِيَ حَتَّى مَطْلَعِ الْفَجْرِ) | (فَانتَقَمْنَا مِنْهُم) | (خَيْرٌ مِّنْ هَـذَا) |
| ‘Ayn | (حَكِيمٍ عَلِيمٍ) | (وَالْأَنْعَام) | (فَوَيْلٌ لِّلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا مِنْ عَذَابِ) |
| Ha (ح) | (لَعَلِيٌّ حَكِيم) | (وَمِنْ حَيْثُ خَرَجْتَ) | (وَكانوا يَنحِتونَ مِنَ الجِبالِ بُيوتًا) |
| Ghain | (إِنَّ اللَّـهَ لَعَفُوٌّ غَفُورٌ) | (فَسَيُنغِضونَ إِلَيكَ رُءوسَهُم) | (أَوْ آخَرَانِ مِنْ غَيْرِكُمْ) |
| Khaa | (إِنَّ اللَّـهَ لَطِيفٌ خَبِيرٌ) | (بَلْ هُمْ قَوْمٌ خَصِمُونَ) | (مِّنْ خَيْرٍ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ) |