Introduction to Surah Al-Dukhan
Surah Al-Dukhan is a Meccan surah, positioned as the forty-fourth chapter in the order of the Qur’an and the sixty-third in the chronological sequence of revelation. It was revealed after Surah Al-Zukhruf and prior to Surah Al-Jathiya. The chapter consists of fifty-six verses according to the scholars of Medina, Mecca, and the Levant, fifty-seven verses according to the scholars of Basra, and fifty-nine verses according to the scholars of Kufa.
Rules of the Silent Meem in Surah Al-Dukhan
The Qur’anic chapters are rich with Tajweed rules that ensure each letter receives its rightful treatment, thereby imparting significant meanings. One such rule pertains to the silent “meem” (م), which lacks any vowel markings, both in connected and disconnected forms. Examples of the applications of the silent “meem” rules in Surah Al-Dukhan are as follows:
Oral Concealment (Ikhfa Shafawi)
This rule involves pronouncing the silent “meem” in a concealed manner when followed by the letter “ba” (ب), irrespective of whether the silence is temporary or inherent. The articulation of the silent “meem” is to be slightly diminished, while maintaining a clear ghunnah (nasal sound). This occurrence is limited to phrases comprising two words. One example of oral concealment in the verses of Surah Al-Dukhan can be found in the words of Allah: (كَذَلِكَ وَزَوَّجْنَاهُم بِحُورٍ عِينٍ).
Oral Clarity (Izhaar Shafawi)
Oral clarity requires the pronunciation of the silent “meem” distinctly when it precedes any letter from the Arabic alphabet, except for the letters “meem” (م) and “ba” (ب). Examples showcasing this rule within the verses of Surah Al-Dukhan include:
- Allah says: (لا إِلَـهَ إِلَّا هُوَ يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ رَبُّكُمْ وَرَبُّ آبَائِكُمُ الْأَوَّلِينَ).
- Allah says: (بَلْ هُمْ فِي شَكٍّ يَلْعَبُونَ).
- Allah says: (إِنَّا كَاشِفُو الْعَذَابِ قَلِيلًا إِنَّكُمْ عَائِدُونَ).
- Allah says: (وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا قَبْلَهُمْ قَوْمَ فِرْعَوْنَ وَجَاءَهُمْ رَسُولٌ كَرِيمٌ).
- Allah says: (وَإِن لَّمْ تُؤْمِنُوا لِي فَاعْتَزِلُونِ).
- Allah says: (أَهُمْ خَيْرٌ أَمْ قَوْمُ تُبَّعٍ وَالَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ أَهْلَكْنَاهُمْ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا مُجْرِمِينَ).
Oral Assimilation (Idgham Shafawi)
Oral assimilation occurs when a moving “meem” follows the silent “meem,” at which point the silent “meem” is entirely merged with the moving “meem” that follows it, resulting in a single, emphasized “meem” accompanied by a ghunnah. Examples of this rule within Surah Al-Dukhan include:
- Allah says: (رَبِّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا إِن كُنتُم مُّوقِنِينَ).
- Allah says: (فَأَسْرِ بِعِبَادِي لَيْلًا إِنَّكُم مُّتَّبَعُونَ).
- Allah says: (وَآتَيْنَاهُم مِّنَ الْآيَاتِ مَا فِيهِ بَلَاءٌ مُّبِينٌ).
- Allah says: (فَارْتَقِبْ إِنَّهُم مُّرْتَقِبُونَ).