Goal: Learn how to shape your mouth to pronounce “Full-Mouth” vs. “Empty-Mouth” letters.

Content: In Arabic, some letters sound “heavy” and “round,” while others are “light” and “flat.” Getting this right is the secret to sounding like a professional reciter.

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  The Heavy Seven: There are 7 letters that are always heavy. To say them, you must fill your mouth with air and raise the back of your tongue.

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    Letters: خ (Khaw), ص (Sawd), ض (Dawd), غ (Ghayn), ط (Taw), ق (Qaf), ظ (Zaw).
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    Memory Phrase: “Khussa Daghtin Qiz.”
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  The Light Letters: Almost all other letters are light. Your mouth should stay more relaxed, almost like you are starting to smile.
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  Self-Correction Tip: Practice in front of a mirror. When saying a “Heavy” letter, your cheeks should puff out slightly. For “Light” letters, your lips should stay flat.
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  Exercise: Listen to a recording of Surah Al-Fatiha. Focus on the word “Magh-doob”. Can you hear how heavy the ‘Ghayn’ and ‘Dawd’ sound?