Meem Sakinah Rules
3 rules · 6,865times in the Quran
A meem sakinah (no vowel) is said according to the letter after it. Before a baa (ب), Ikhfa Shafawi: the meem is hidden, with a nasal sound. Before another meem, Idgham Shafawi: the two meems become one doubled meem. Before the other letters it is said clearly: this is Izhar Shafawi, to keep clear especially before و and ف.
The rules, one by one
Mīm with no vowel: three ways to meet the next letter
Arabic reads from right to left: the mīm, on the right, comes first; the letter after it is on its left.
- Hidden
إخفاء شفوي
Followed by a bā, the mīm is hidden: lips relaxed, with the nasal sound.
- Merged
إدغام شفوي
Followed by a mīm, the two make one doubled mīm, with the nasal sound.
- Said clearly
إظهار شفوي
Followed by any other letter, the mīm stays clear, especially with و and ف.
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Ikhfa Shafawi
إخفاء شفويBefore a bā, the mīm is not said clearly: it keeps a nasal sound for two counts.
When a mīm with no vowel ends a word and the next word begins with a bā (ب).
496 times in the Quran -
Idgham Shafawi
إدغام شفويA mīm with no vowel, then another mīm: they become one doubled mīm, with a nasal sound of two counts.
When a mīm with no vowel is followed by another mīm.
832 times in the Quran -
Izhar Shafawi
إظهار شفويBefore every letter except bā and mīm, a mīm with no vowel is said clearly, without holding the nasal sound.
When a mīm with no vowel is followed by any letter except bā (ب) and mīm (م): 26 letters.
5,537 times in the Quran
One example per rule
Tap ▶ to hear the word in its verse, recited by al-Husary.
-
تَرْمِيهِم بِحِجَارَةٍ
tarmīhim biḥijāratim
Followed by a bā, the mīm is hidden: lips relaxed, not pressed, and the nasal sound for two counts.
-
أَطْعَمَهُم مِّن
'aṭʿamahummin
The mīm merges into the next mīm: a doubled mīm is said, lips closed, with the nasal sound held for two counts.
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بِحَمْدِ
biḥamdi
The mīm is said clearly, lips closed for a moment, without holding the nasal sound, then the dāl follows.
Each rule in numbers
| Rule | In the Quran | Surahs |
|---|---|---|
| Ikhfa Shafawi | 496 | 75 |
| Idgham Shafawi | 832 | 77 |
| Izhar Shafawi | 5,537 | 105 |
Counted on the text of the Madani Mushaf (Hafs reading).
Computed by Tilawa on the text of the Madani Mushaf (Hafs reading), from the letter that follows.
What I show you when you recite
Frequently asked questions
How many times do these rules occur in the Quran?
Ikhfa Shafawi: 496, Idgham Shafawi: 832 and Izhar Shafawi: 5,537. In all, 6,865 occurrences, counted on the text of the Madani Mushaf.
Ikhfa Shafawi or Idgham Shafawi: what is the difference?
Ikhfa Shafawi: before a bā, the mīm is not said clearly: it keeps a nasal sound for two counts. Idgham Shafawi: a mīm with no vowel, then another mīm: they become one doubled mīm, with a nasal sound of two counts.
How do I know which rule applies?
Look at the letter that follows. Ikhfa Shafawi: when a mīm with no vowel ends a word and the next word begins with a bā (ب). Idgham Shafawi: when a mīm with no vowel is followed by another mīm. Izhar Shafawi: when a mīm with no vowel is followed by any letter except bā (ب) and mīm (م): 26 letters.
How can I check my tajweed when I recite?
Tajweed is learned by ear: you need to hear yourself. Recite out loud in the Tilawa app, on iPhone or Android. It follows your recitation word by word and shows you the rules you missed or got wrong, with the correct recitation to replay.
Tilawa editorial team · Updated 2026-10-24 · Report an error