Recitation of Ghayn

Answered by Shaykh Yusuf Weltch

Question: Assalamu alaykum

Must I stress the letter ‘ghayn’ when reciting if I have difficulty distinguishing it from the sound of ‘kha’?

Is it acceptable if the Iqama is recited softly?

Answer: In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate

The Volume of Recitation in a Quiet Prayer

If reciting very quietly makes it difficult to recite the letter ‘ghayn’ properly you are allowed to raise your voice slightly. In a quiet prayer, however, you should not recite so loud that the first row can hear you. That would be considered reciting loudly.

[Ibn ‘Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar citing the Khulasa]

If you happen to make the ‘kha’ sound when reciting the ‘ghayn’ the prayer remains valid.

[Ibn ‘Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]

Learning Proper Recitation

With that being said, you need not stress over this but I would advise finding a reliable Qur’an teacher to teach you the proper exit point for the letters. This will facilitate for you improving your recitation.

Hope this helps
And Allah knows best
Yusuf Weltch

Wassalam,
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch

Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a graduate from Tarim; student of Habib Umar and other luminaries; and authorized teachers of Qur’an and the Islamic sciences.