Understanding Harakat: The Guide to Quran Vowel Marks
When you first open a Mushaf (a physical copy of the Quran) as a learner, the pages might seem crowded with symbols: lines above and below letters, tiny circles, miniature hanging letters, and small codes at the end of verses. However, these are not decorative; they are a precise guide telling you exactly how to articulate every sound. Understanding Harakat (vowels) and Dabt (diacritical marks) is the first step toward correct recitation, whether you are an Arabic speaker refining your Tilawah (recitation) or a non-Arab starting your journey with Allah’s Book. This explanation follows the standard Medina Mushaf script according to the narration of Hafs, which is the most widely used worldwide.
The Three Harakat and Sukun: The Foundation of Speech
In Arabic, there are three short vowels. Each represents approximately half the duration of a long vowel (Mad letter):
- Fatha (ـَ): A diagonal line above the letter, pronounced by opening the mouth (like “a” in “apple”), e.g., «بَ» (Ba).
- Damma (ـُ): A small “waw” above the letter, pronounced by circling the lips (like “u” in “blue”), such as the Dal in ﴿الْحَمْدُ﴾ (Alhamdu).
- Kasra (ـِ): A diagonal line below the letter, pronounced by lowering the jaw slightly (like “ee” in “feet” but shorter), such as the Lam in ﴿لِلَّهِ﴾ (Lillahi).
The Sukun is not a vowel, but rather a sign that the letter is “quiet” or free from any vowel. In the Medina Mushaf, it is drawn as the head of a small letter “Kha” without a dot (ـْ), as seen on the Meem in ﴿الْحَمْدُ﴾. When reciting, you stop on the letter momentarily without adding any vowel sound.
Common Mistake to Watch For
Many beginners stretch short vowels until they become long vowels (e.g., reading ﴿لَمْ﴾ as “Laam”) or shorten long vowels until they sound like short Harakat. The rule is simple: a short vowel is one beat, and a natural Mad letter is two beats. Training your ear to hear this difference is more important than memorizing the names of the marks.
Tanween in the Mushaf: Why is it Written Two Ways?
Tanween is an extra “Noon Sakinah” (quiet N sound) pronounced at the end of a noun but not written as a letter. It is represented by doubling the Harakah: two Fathas (ـً), two Dammas (ـٌ), or two Kasras (ـٍ). You will notice that sometimes the two marks are perfectly stacked, while other times they are slightly offset. This is not a font choice; it indicates a specific Tajweed rule (the rules of rhythmic Quranic recitation):
| Tanween Shape | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Stacked (Aligned) | Izh-har (Clear pronunciation of N) | ﴿عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ﴾ |
| Offset (Successive) | Idgham or Ikhfa (Merging or Hiding) | ﴿رِيحًا صَرْصَرًا﴾ |
| Harakah + Small Meem | Iqlab (Changing N to a M sound) | ﴿سَمِيعٌۢ بَصِيرٌ﴾ |
The same applies to the letter Noon Sakinah: if it has a Sukun on it, it is pronounced clearly (Izh-har). If it has no mark, it is merged or hidden (Idgham/Ikhfa). If it has a tiny Meem above it, it is changed to an “M” sound (Iqlab).
Shaddah and the Mad Mark
Shaddah (ـّ)
The Shaddah indicates that a letter is “doubled”—it actually consists of two of the same letter: the first is quiet (Sakin) and the second has a vowel. For example, the word ﴿إِنَّ﴾ (Inna) is pronounced as if it were “In-na,” merging the two into one emphasized sound. If the doubled letter is a Noon or Meem, you must apply Ghunnah (a nasal sound) for two beats, as in ﴿ثُمَّ﴾ and ﴿إِنَّ﴾.
Mad Mark (~)
This is a small wavy line placed above a Mad letter, indicating that the vowel should be stretched longer than the standard two beats. You will find it in:
- Mad Muttasil (Connected): e.g., ﴿جَاءَ﴾ and ﴿السَّمَاءِ﴾, stretched for 4 or 5 beats.
- Mad Munfasil (Detached): e.g., ﴿يَا أَيُّهَا﴾, also stretched for 4 or 5 beats.
- Mad Lazim (Compulsory): e.g., ﴿الضَّالِّينَ﴾ and the opening letters of some Surahs like ﴿الم﴾, stretched for 6 beats.
If you don’t see this wavy mark over a Mad letter, it is a “Natural Mad” and should only be held for two beats.
Small Letters and Circles in Quranic Script
The Quran is written in the Uthmani script, which differs slightly from modern Arabic spelling. To help you recite correctly, specific symbols are added to indicate letters that are pronounced but not written, or written but not pronounced:
- Small Alif: Indicates an Alif sound that is pronounced but not part of the base script, e.g., ﴿الرَّحْمَٰنِ﴾ and ﴿ذَٰلِكَ﴾.
- Small Waw and Ya: Indicate the stretching of a pronoun (Haa), e.g., ﴿إِنَّهُۥ﴾ and ﴿بِهِۦ﴾. These are held for two beats when continuing the recitation.
- Round Circle: Found over a vowel letter, it means the letter is extra and should not be pronounced at all, like the Alif after the plural Waw in ﴿آمَنُوا۟﴾.
- Rectangular/Oval Circle: Found over the Alif in specific words like ﴿أَنَا۠﴾ (I/Me); it is dropped when continuing but pronounced if you stop on the word.
- Small Meem: Indicates Iqlab, as mentioned in the Tanween section.
You will also see the Hamzatul Wasl (connecting Hamza), which has no glottal stop mark. It is pronounced when starting a sentence, e.g., ﴿الْحَمْدُ﴾ at the start of Al-Fatiha, but is skipped when connecting words.
Stop Signs, Juz Marks, and Sujud Symbols
Small symbols above words guide you on where to pause or continue to preserve the meaning:
- مـ (Meem): Mandatory Stop. Continuing might change the intended meaning.
- لا (La): Do Not Stop. It is better to continue to complete the sense.
- ج (Jeem): Permissible Stop. You can stop or continue.
- صلى (Salla): Continuing is better, though stopping is allowed.
- قلى (Qalla): Stopping is better, though continuing is allowed.
- ∴ ∴ (Three Dots): If you stop at the first set of dots, do not stop at the second, and vice versa.
You will also find the ۞ symbol marking the start of Hizbs (divisions of the Quran) and their quarters, and the ۩ symbol for Sajdah at-Tilawah (prostration of recitation). Scholars differ slightly on the number of Sujud spots in the Quran, so don’t be surprised if you see variations. Finally, every verse ends with a circle containing its number.
A Two-Week Plan to Master Quranic Marks
Theory isn’t enough; the goal is for these symbols to become second nature. Here is a short daily plan:
| Days | Task |
|---|---|
| 1 – 3 | Practice Fatha, Damma, Kasra, and Sukun with all Arabic letters out loud. |
| 4 – 5 | Practice Tanween in its various shapes, then Shaddah on different letters. |
| 6 – 7 | Practice Mad letters and the wavy Mad mark; distinguish between a short vowel and a long one. |
| 8 – 10 | Read Surah Al-Fatiha and short Surahs (Juz Amma), identifying every symbol you see. |
| 11 – 14 | Recite to a teacher, or record your voice and compare it to a master Qari (reciter). |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Harakat are there in the Quran?
There are three primary Harakat: Fatha, Damma, and Kasra. These are supplemented by Sukun, Tanween, and Shaddah, along with specific Quranic script symbols.
What is the difference between Sukun in the Medina Mushaf and other scripts?
In the Medina script, the Sukun looks like the head of a small “Kha.” In some Indo-Pak or other scripts, it may look like a small circle or a horseshoe. Always check the style of your Mushaf before you begin.
Why is Tanween written in two different ways?
Stacked (aligned) marks indicate Izh-har (clear sound), while offset (successive) marks indicate Idgham or Ikhfa. It is a visual cue for Tajweed rules, not a spelling variation.
Can I learn to read Harakat without a teacher?
You can understand the symbols on your own, but correct pronunciation (Makharij) and timing (Harakat vs. Mad) require a teacher’s ear to correct you and ensure you are reciting as it was revealed.
If you want to practice with ready-made tools, you can find letter cards and other resources on our Free Resources page. When you are ready to have an Ijazah-certified teacher listen to you and correct your mistakes, book your two free trial lessons at Quran Web Academy and start your recitation on a solid foundation.
