Sifaat refers to the characteristic(s) of the letter
Definition: the way in which a letter is articulated that differentiates it from others. The purpose of these characteristics is to distinguish the letters that share the same articulation points (makhaarij).
But why do we need sifaat when we already know the origin of the letter (makhraj)?
Makhaarij only provides information as to where the sound of the letter comes from, whereas sifaat provides extra information with regards to the characteristics of the letter in order to produce the correct sound.
This section will further explain this :
Sifaat is of two types:
1.Sifaat WITH opposite (complement)
2. Sifaat WITHOUT opposites (non-complement)
SIFAAT WITH OPPOSITES
Opposite:
Hems
(whispered)
Jahr
(voiced)
Shiddah
(explosive)
INBETWEEN Tawassut
Rakhaawa
(softness)
Itbaaq
(closed)
Infitaah
(opened)
Ithlaaq
(flowing, ease of exit)
Ismaat
(sharply pronounced)
Hams
Literally means concealment
• Technically means the
continuation of the breath when
pronouncing the letter due to
weakness in its origin, causing
weakness in its reliance on its
makhraj.
The following letters have this
quality:
ف-ح-ث-ه-ش-خ-ص-س-ك-ت
Jahr
Literally means to be apparent
• Technically means the
discontinuation of the breath when
pronouncing the letter due to
strength in its origin, causing it to
rely greatly on its makhraj
• The rest of the letters have this
quality:
Isti'laa
Literally means elevation.
• Technically means the elevation of
the back tongue towards the roof of the
mouth when pronouncing a letter.
• The letters that have this quality are:
خ-ص-ض-غ-ط-ق-ظ
Istifaal -
Literally means lowering or
dropping
• Technically means keeping the
tongue lowered from the roof of the
mouth while pronouncing a letter.
• All letters besides the letters of
Isti'laa have the quality of Istifaal.
Itbaaq -
• Literally means adhesion
• Technically means adhesion of the
tongue to the roof of the mouth while
pronouncing a letter.
• The following letters contain this
quality:
ص-ض-ط-ظ
Note: these letters also have Isti'laa.
Infitaah -
Literally means separation
• Technically means keeping the
tongue separated from the roof of the
mouth while pronouncing a letter.
• All letters besides the letters of
Itbaaq contain the quality of Infitaah.
Idhlaq -
• Literally means fluency, purity in
speech
• Technically means the articulation of
the letters with utmost ease from the
sides of the tongue or lips as if they are
slipping away.
• The following letters contain this
quality:
ف-ر-م-ن-ل-ب
Ismaat -
• Literally means desistance
• Technically means the articulation
of the letters with utmost strength and
stability from their makhraj,
without which the letter will not be
articulated.
• All other letters contain this quality