Noorani Qaida 7: Standing Vowels (Madd) Rules and Examples

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Noorani Qaida Lesson 7 Madd Letters Rules & Examples for Quranic Recitation

The “Miniature” Secret of Long Vowels! 🤏✨

Welcome to Lesson 7. You know the short vowels (Fatha, Kasra, Damma). Now, imagine stretching them like an elastic band!

In this lesson, we meet the “Standing Movements” (Al-Harakat Al-Qaimah). These are tiny symbols that act exactly like big Madd letters. They tell you: “Stop! Don’t rush. Stretch this sound for 2 seconds.”

💡 The Golden Formula:
Small Alif ( ٰ ) = Big Alif ( ا )
Small Ya ( ٖ ) = Big Ya ( ي )
Small Waw ( ٗ ) = Big Waw ( و )

Ready to master the art of stretching? Let’s begin! 👇

📖 Practice: Standing Fatha (ـٰ)

Start from the right. Stretch every letter: Baaa, Taaa, Thaaa…

ءٰ
‘Aaa
بٰ
Baaa
تٰ
Taaa
ثٰ
Thaaa
جٰ
Jaaa
حٰ
Haaa
خٰ
Khaaa
دٰ
Daaa
ذٰ
Thaaa
رٰ
Raaa
زٰ
Zaaa
سٰ
Saaa
شٰ
Shaaa
صٰ
Saaa
ضٰ
Dhaaa
طٰ
Taaa
ظٰ
Zhaaa
عٰ
‘Aaa
غٰ
Ghaaa
فٰ
Faaa
قٰ
Qaaa
كٰ
Kaaa
لٰ
Laaa
مٰ
Maaa
نٰ
Naaa
وٰ
Waaa
هٰـ
Haaa
يٰ
Yaaa

📺 Watch the Full Lesson: Listen & Repeat

YouTube video
Noorani Qaida page 13 lesson 7

The 3 Standing Signs 🚦

They look small, but they sound LONG.

Alif Sagheera Symbol

Standing Fatha

(Alif Sagheera)

A small vertical stroke ABOVE the letter.
Pull sound UP (2 counts).

Ya Sagheera Symbol

Standing Kasra

(Ya Sagheera)

A small vertical stroke BELOW the letter.
Pull sound DOWN (2 counts).

Waw Sagheera Symbol

Inverted Damma

(Waw Sagheera)

A small upside-down comma.
Round lips (2 counts).

💡 Golden Tips for Lesson 7

1. The “Two Fingers” Trick ✌️

How do you measure 2 counts? Simple! Open two fingers at a normal speed (1.. 2). That is exactly how long you should hold the sound of the Standing Fatha.

2. Don’t Drop the Ending

When you stretch the sound (e.g., Maaa), make sure the sound stays strong until the very end. Don’t let it fade away or change pitch.

3. The “Ya” Chair

Sometimes you will see a Standing Fatha sitting on top of a Ya ( ىٰ ). Ignore the Ya! It is just a chair. Pronounce the Standing Fatha only (as an Alif).

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🎓 For Teachers: Advanced Insights

1. Why “Standing” Movements?
Historically in Uthmani script, these marks indicate an Alif/Ya/Waw that was pronounced but omitted in writing. They carry the exact same ruling as Madd Asli (Natural Madd).
2. Pronunciation Consistency
Ensure the student does not over-stretch (making it 4 counts) or under-stretch (making it 1 count). Consistency is the key to Tajweed.
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💬 Common Questions About Lesson 7

Expert answers to master the Standing Movements.

What exactly are “Standing Movements”?

They are small vertical symbols (Alif, Ya, Waw) used in the Quranic script (Uthmani) to indicate a Long Vowel. They act exactly like the big Madd letters but save space in writing.

How long should I stretch the sound?

You must stretch it for 2 counts (Harakat). A simple trick is to open two fingers at a normal speed (1.. 2). For example: “Ba” becomes “Baaa”.

What is the difference between Fatha (ـَ) and Standing Fatha (ـٰ)?

Fatha (ـَ): Short sound (1 count). Like the ‘u’ in “Run”.
Standing Fatha (ـٰ): Long sound (2 counts). Like the ‘a’ in “Father”. It equals an Alif.

Why is the “Inverted Damma” upside down?

The inverted Damma (looks like a small 6) represents a Small Waw. It tells the reciter to stretch the Damma sound into a long “Waw Madd” (oo sound) for 2 counts.

What if a Standing Fatha is on a Ya (e.g., مِنىٰ)?

This is called Alif Maqsura. The Ya here acts as a “chair” and is silent. You only pronounce the Standing Fatha as an Alif (Minaaa).

Do these rules apply to non-Quranic Arabic?

Mostly No. These specific symbols (Standing Movements) are unique to the Uthmani script of the Quran to ensure precise recitation. In standard Arabic, we usually write the full letters (Alif, Ya, Waw).

How do I practice not stretching too much?

Listen to a professional reciter (Sheikh) and mimic their timing. Use your finger to tap twice. Stretching beyond 2 counts turns it into a different Madd rule, so consistency is key.

You Have Mastered the “Stretch”! 🌟

Excellent work! You can now recognize the hidden long vowels. Your recitation is becoming smoother and more melodic.

What’s Next? In Lesson 8, we will meet the “Big Brothers” of these small signs: The Madd Letters (Alif, Waw, Ya) in their full form.
📚

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🎓 The Quran Sheikh Institute Research Team

The scholars behind this article are the dedicated Research Team at Quran Sheikh Institute. Our mission is to bridge authentic Islamic scholarship with modern, one-on-one teaching methods. We specialize in deep Tafseer, Tajweed mastery, and the Arabic language, ensuring every student receives pure, verifiable knowledge. We are committed to making profound Quranic wisdom accessible worldwide, transforming recitation into genuine comprehension.

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