Letters of Ikhfa: A Simple Guide to the 15 Letters
The letters of ikhfa tell you when to conceal the sound of Noon Sakinah or Tanween. Learn the 15 letters, recognize them in Quranic verses, and practice the rule with a steady nasal sound.
What Are the Letters of Ikhfa?
The 15 letters of ikhfa are:
ت، ث، ج، د، ذ، ز، س، ش، ص، ض، ط، ظ، ف، ق، ك
When one of these letters follows Noon Sakinah (نْ) or Tanween (ً ٍ ٌ), apply Ikhfa Haqiqi: conceal the Noon sound while maintaining ghunnah for two counts. The sound sits between clear pronunciation and complete merging.
The letter alone does not create the rule. Always check what comes immediately before it. For example, ش triggers Ikhfa in مِنْ شَرِّ because it follows Noon Sakinah; a standalone ش does not.
What Does Ikhfa Mean in Tajweed?
Ikhfa means concealment. In recitation, you do not pronounce the Noon as a fully clear “n,” and you do not remove its sound completely. You retain its nasal quality while preparing to pronounce the following letter.
This guide focuses on Ikhfa Haqiqi, the rule involving Noon Sakinah and Tanween. It follows the commonly taught recitation of Hafs ‘an ‘Asim.
Noon Sakinah and Tanween: The Starting Point
Noon Sakinah is a Noon without a vowel. It can appear within a word or at its end. Depending on the Mushaf’s notation, the Noon involved in Ikhfa may be written without a visible sukoon sign.
Tanween is the extra Noon sound represented by double vowel marks. It is pronounced when continuing the recitation. If you stop on the word, do not apply an Ikhfa connection to the next word; follow the appropriate stopping rule instead.
The 15 Letters of Ikhfa: Quick Reference Chart
Use this chart to recognize the Arabic letters. English letter names are identification aids; they cannot fully represent Quranic pronunciation.
| Letter | Letter name | Letter | Letter name | Letter | Letter name |
| ت | Ta | ث | Tha | ج | Jeem |
| د | Dal | ذ | Dhal | ز | Zay |
| س | Seen | ش | Sheen | ص | Sad |
| ض | Dad | ط | Ta, emphatic | ظ | Dha, emphatic |
| ف | Fa | ق | Qaf | ك | Kaf |
Pay particular attention to ت and ط, ذ and ظ, and س and ص. These are different letters with different articulation qualities. Recognizing those differences helps you identify the letters of ikhfa accurately and prepare for the next sound.
How to Pronounce Ikhfa Step by Step
Start with a short phrase rather than a whole verse. Your first goal is to connect the sounds smoothly without losing the nasal quality.
- Locate Noon Sakinah or Tanween.
- Check the next pronounced letter. Is it one of the letters of ikhfa?
- Avoid making the full tongue contact used for a clear Noon.
- Maintain ghunnah through the nasal passage for two counts while preparing for the next letter.
- Pronounce the following letter distinctly and continue reading.
Two counts follow the pace of your recitation; they are not automatically two seconds. Keep the duration balanced with your teacher’s model rather than stretching the sound according to a stopwatch.
Do not add a short vowel between the concealed Noon and the following letter. Ikhfa should create a connected transition, not an extra syllable.
If you can identify the rule but cannot hear whether you are applying it correctly, NoorPath Academy’s online Tajweed course offers live one-to-one practice with a teacher who can correct your recitation.
Letters of Ikhfa in Quranic Examples
Read the following extracts in context and listen to the full verses. The examples across two words apply when you continue reading without stopping between them.
| Quranic extract | Trigger | Why Ikhfa applies | Reference |
| مِنْ شَرِّ | ش | Noon Sakinah followed by Sheen | Al-Falaq 113:2 |
| مِنْ تَحْتِهَا | ت | Noon Sakinah followed by Ta | Al-Baqarah 2:25 |
| مِنْ قَبْلُ | ق | Noon Sakinah followed by Qaf | Al-Baqarah 2:25 |
| جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي | ت | Tanween followed by Ta | Al-Baqarah 2:25 |
Example 1: مِنْ شَرِّ
In Surah Al-Falaq, the Noon Sakinah comes before ش. Conceal the Noon with ghunnah, then pronounce Sheen. Avoid separating the phrase into a hard “min” followed by an isolated next word.
Example 2: مِنْ تَحْتِهَا
Here, ت follows Noon Sakinah. The same basic rule applies, but your mouth prepares for Ta rather than Sheen. Keep the ghunnah steady and avoid inserting an extra vowel before ت.
Example 3: جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي
The double kasrah on جَنَّاتٍ produces a Tanween sound when you continue. Because the next word begins with ت, conceal that Noon sound with ghunnah before moving into تَجْرِي.
These examples show why memorizing the letters of ikhfa is only the beginning. You also need to recognize the connection between the written marks and the sounds you recite.
How to Memorize the Letters of Ikhfa
Learn five letters at a time, then test yourself without looking:
- Group 1: ت، ث، ج، د، ذ
- Group 2: ز، س، ش، ص، ض
- Group 3: ط، ظ، ف، ق، ك
These groups are memory aids, not separate Tajweed categories. Once you recognize all 15 letters, mix their order so you can identify them within words rather than only reciting a memorized list.
Try a two-part flashcard exercise. On one side, write a letter. On the other, write its name and a practice connection. Then ask yourself two questions: “Is this an Ikhfa letter?” and “Does Noon Sakinah or Tanween come before it?”
Pair recognition with listening. Find an example, listen to a qualified reciter, and repeat the same phrase. A letter chart teaches you where the rule occurs; a recitation model helps you hear its application.
Ikhfa vs. Izhar, Idgham, and Iqlab
The letters of ikhfa belong to one of four main rules for Noon Sakinah and Tanween. The following comparison helps you choose the right rule.
| Rule | Following letters | Basic action |
| Izhar | ء، ه، ع، ح، غ، خ | Pronounce Noon clearly |
| Idgham | ي، ر، م، ل، و، ن | Merge under the rule’s conditions; ghunnah depends on the letter |
| Iqlab | ب | Change the Noon or Tanween sound to a concealed Meem with ghunnah |
| Ikhfa Haqiqi | ت، ث، ج، د، ذ، ز، س، ش، ص، ض، ط، ظ، ف، ق، ك | Conceal Noon with ghunnah |
This is a recognition summary. Idgham has additional conditions and exceptions that deserve separate study. For Ikhfa practice, first identify the Noon or Tanween, then check the following letter before choosing how to recite.
Is Ikhfa Shafawi the Same Rule?
No. Ikhfa Shafawi concerns Meem Sakinah (مْ) followed by Ba (ب). Ikhfa Haqiqi concerns Noon Sakinah or Tanween followed by the 15 letters listed in this guide.
Ba is therefore not one of the 15 letters of ikhfa haqiqi. After Noon Sakinah or Tanween, Ba triggers Iqlab; after Meem Sakinah, it triggers Ikhfa Shafawi. Looking at both sides of the connection prevents this common mix-up.
Common Ikhfa Mistakes and How to Correct Them
Pronouncing a Fully Clear Noon
You may recognize the correct letter but still pronounce a firm “n.” Slow down and compare your transition with a teacher’s model. The Noon should be concealed, with its nasal quality retained.
Removing the Ghunnah
Concealing the Noon does not mean skipping it. If you move straight to the next letter without the nasal sound, practice the connection again at a comfortable pace.
Stretching Every Example Too Long
Keep the two-count ghunnah proportional to your reading speed. An exaggerated hold can interrupt the phrase and make your recitation uneven.
Treating Letter Recognition as Correct Pronunciation
Knowing the letters of ikhfa does not tell you whether your tongue position or timing is correct. Record a short extract and use it during a lesson so your tutor can identify the specific adjustment you need.
A Five-Minute Ikhfa Practice Routine
Begin by reviewing the letter chart for one minute. Next, locate three examples in a short passage and mark the triggering letters. Listen to each phrase, repeat it slowly, and then reconnect it to the surrounding verse.
Finish by checking one thing at a time: Did you identify the right letter? Did you retain the ghunnah? Did you avoid an extra vowel? Practicing a small number of examples carefully gives you clearer feedback than rushing through a page.
Practice Ikhfa with NoorPath Academy
Understanding the rule helps you recognize it; guided recitation helps you apply it consistently. In NoorPath Academy’s Quran Tajweed and recitation course, you can practice Noon Sakinah, Tanween, and other Tajweed rules with live correction.
Explore the course and book a free trial class to assess your reading level and work on the sounds you find difficult.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many letters of ikhfa are there?
There are 15 letters of ikhfa haqiqi: ت، ث، ج، د، ذ، ز، س، ش، ص، ض، ط، ظ، ف، ق، ك. They trigger concealment when they follow Noon Sakinah or Tanween. Check both the following letter and the sound before it; seeing one of these letters alone does not mean Ikhfa applies.
How long should the ghunnah last in Ikhfa?
The ghunnah in Ikhfa is held for two counts, measured according to your recitation pace. This does not mean a fixed two-second pause. Listen to a qualified reciter and practice with your teacher so the nasal sound stays balanced, connects smoothly to the next letter, and does not become unnecessarily long.
Can Ikhfa occur within one word?
Yes. Ikhfa Haqiqi can occur when Noon Sakinah is followed by an Ikhfa letter within the same word or across two words. Tanween connections occur across words during continued reading. Always check the next pronounced letter, and remember that stopping on a word changes how its ending is read before restarting.
Is Ba one of the letters of ikhfa?
Ba is not among the 15 letters of Ikhfa Haqiqi. When ب follows Noon Sakinah or Tanween, the rule is Iqlab. When it follows Meem Sakinah, the rule is Ikhfa Shafawi. The same following letter can therefore lead to different rules, depending on whether the preceding sound is Noon, Tanween, or Meem.
