Quick answer: Ikhfa is one of the four rules of noon sakinah and tanween. It means “to hide” — the noon sound is pronounced lightly and hidden, accompanied by a ghunnah, before fifteen specific letters.
What is ikhfa?
When a noon sakinah or tanween is followed by one of the ikhfa letters, the noon is neither pronounced fully (as in izhar) nor merged (as in idgham). Instead it is hidden — a soft, veiled nasal sound — as the tongue prepares for the next letter.
The 15 ikhfa letters
Ikhfa applies to the fifteen letters that are left after the letters of izhar, idgham and iqlab are removed. In practice, if the letter after a noon sakinah or tanween is not a throat letter, not one of yarmaloon, and not ba, then ikhfa applies.
How to make the ikhfa sound
The key is a light, hidden noon with a two-count ghunnah. Do not press the tongue firmly to make a full noon, and do not drop the noon entirely — hold the nasal hum softly as you glide into the next letter.
How to practise ikhfa
Because ikhfa covers the most letters, you will meet it constantly. Practise on real verses, hold the ghunnah for its full length, and let a teacher confirm the hidden quality of the sound — it is easy to over- or under-do.
Frequently asked questions
What is ikhfa in Tajweed?
Ikhfa means hiding the noon sakinah or tanween sound with a light nasal ghunnah before fifteen specific letters.
How many ikhfa letters are there?
Fifteen — the letters remaining after those of izhar, idgham and iqlab.
How do you pronounce ikhfa?
With a light, hidden noon and a two-count ghunnah, not a full noon and not a complete merge.
Related reading
Want a teacher to check your Tajweed? Explore our Tajweed course or book 3 free trial classes.