Definition'To stop on the last letter of a complete word, which is disconnected from the word after it, and giving the last letter a sukoon and by breaking the breath, then taking a new breath to read the next word.'
(Jami-ul-waqaf)
E.g
The last word will be read 'ahad' and not 'ahadun'
E.g
Will be read 'al faa faa' and not 'al faa fan'
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If the last letter is a 'taa marbutah' (
), it is read as 'ha'
( )
E.g
Will be read 'aa-niah' and not 'aa-niatin'
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If the last letter of a word contains a 'hamzah' (
), the harakah on the hamzah is changed into a sukoon
( ), and the hamzah is read clearly.
A common mistake when stopping at a hamzah is not to indicate the presence of the hamzah at all
E.g
-
If the last letter of a word contains a 'tashdeed' (
), the mashaddad letter is changed into a saakin letter, BUT making sure the tashdeed is still read i.e. by spending more time on the letter (
refer to
Shaddah
)
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Click 'here' to
view practice exercises for the rules of ending with Shaddah
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NB remember to tighten / emphasize the saakin letter so to differentiate from an ordinary saakin letter
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A waqf is only correct if breath is taken before reading the following word. To read the last letter as
sukoon (
) and not to renew the breath is incorrect.
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The opposite of waqf is known as 'wasl'. Wasl means to join verses / sentences without stopping.
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Different letters / symbols are placed to indicate compulsory stops, recommended stops, better to read on, and other such commands:
ۢ
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The compulsory stop - we have to stop, wasl is prohibited
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ۙ
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The prohibited stop - we can
not stop
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ۖ
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The good stop - it is better to continue, but stopping is allowed
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ۗ
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The sufficient stop - it is better to stop
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ۚ
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The quality stop - it is the
same to stop or continue
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ۜ
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The subtle stop/pause - stop vocal sound for a brief time, without taking breath
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Necessary stop - denotes end of sentence
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Stopping at either of the points but not at both |

Click here to view a printable chart depicting the symbols of Waqf
(where to and where not to stop)
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Click 'here' to
view practice exercises for the rules of Waqf
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