How Are Arabic Letters Lam, Raa, and Yaa Correctly Articulated?
Answered by Shaykh Yusuf Weltch
Question
What is the correct tongue position when pronouncing the letters โูโ and โุฑโ? Also, how is the โูโ (madd) sound different from the consonant โูโโdoes it come from the throat, and can the tongue be in any position as long as the โeeโ sound is made?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
Articulation Point of the Letter ู (Lam)
The correct point of articulation (makhraj) of the Arabic letter ู (lam) is the edge of the tongue touching the gums of all the teeth between the premolars of one side to the premolars of the other side. [Ghawthani, Tajwid al-Ghawthani]
Articulation Point of the Letter ุฑ (Raa)
The correct point of articulation (makhraj) of the Arabic letter ุฑ (raa) is the tip of the tongue, including the top of the front portion of the tongue touching the gums of the top central incisors (thanaya โulya) and the top lateral incisors (rubaโiyya) of both sides of the mouth. [Ibid.]
Names of Teeth
Note that the two front teeth are known as the central incisors. The next tooth on each side of the central incisors is the lateral incisor. The next tooth on each side of the lateral incisors is the canine tooth (known as the anyab). The next two teeth on each side of the canines are the premolars (dawahik). The final two on each side of the premolars are the molars (tawahin). The premolars and molars are often referred to as a class of teeth known as the Adras. [Ibid.]
Two Articulation Points of the Letter ู (Yaa)
The Voweled and Non-Voweled Yaa
As for the letter ู (yaa), there are two alternate articulation points.
If the Yaa is pronounced with a vowel upon it, it is pronounced when the central point of the top of the tongue touches the palate. This is the Ya, Yu, or Yi sounds. [Ibid.]
For example: ููููุณููู / ููููุทูููู / ููุนูููู ูููู
If it is merely pronounced as a stretched letter (i.e., with a sukun on it), its articulation point is the empty cavity of the mouth, not the tongue. In this case, the Yaa is merely an extension of the Kasra (-ู) before it. This is the โeeโ sound you are referring to. [Ibid.]
For example: ู ูุณูุชูููููู ู
Learning Proper Recitation
Learning the science of proper recitation of the Quran (Tajwid) is very important, as it is obligatory to pronounce the Quran correctly, so that one does not make any major mistakes. This requires seeking out a Quranic teacher.
You may find such a teacher at your local mosque or, if not available, online. Although it takes time and effort, learning to recite without major mistakes is not very difficult.
And Allah knows best
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a teacher of Arabic, Islamic law, and spirituality. After accepting Islam in 2008, he went on to study at Darul Uloom Seminary in New York and completed his studies at Darul Mustafa in Tarim, Yemen.
There, he completed the memorization of the Quran and his study of Islamic Sciences. Throughout his years of study, he was blessed to learn from many great scholars: Habib Umar bin Hafiz, Habib Kazhim al-Saqqaf, Shaykh โUmar bin Husayn al-Khatib, and others.
Upon returning, he joined the SeekersGuidance faculty in the summer of 2019.
