Makhraj of Arabic Letters hold a significant position in understanding the broad spectrum of the language. The word Makhraj (plural-Makharij) means the place of pronouncing a letter. As Arabic language is one of the most vast and comprehensive languages rooted back to the most ancient civilizations. The complexity and intricacy of the language is also of a greater value which makes it more beautiful. A considerable knowledge of Makharij (articulation points) is important to know to understand the Arabic Script.
What is Makhraj of Arabic Letters?
The root word for Makhraj is Kharaja which means to exit. Makhraj means the points in the mouth from where the letters are pronounced or emerge. Makharij is the plural of the word. The total number of Arabic Alphabets is 28. Each one has a different articulation point but they are collectively categorized in five main groups.
- The Nasal Passage (Al-KHASHYOUM) : The nasal passage is the empty portion in the nose from the upper end of the nostrils to the lower end.
- The Empty Space (AL-JOWF): This the empty portion inside the mouth starting from the posterior end of the tongue to the exterior end but does not involve tongue.
- The Throat (AL-HALAQ): This includes the letters emerging from the throat area from the lower to the upper end.
- The Two Lips (ASH-SHUFTAN): This includes the letters emerge by touching of two lips together completely or partly.
- The Tongue ( AL-LISAN): The letters emerge from the touching of different sides of tongue with the teeth or the the upper portion of mouth.
How many Makharij are there in Arabic language?
There is difference of opinion among the scholars .Some say there are 14 while others claim that there are 16 Makharij in Arabic language. But majority agrees on the count of 17. Imam al-Shateby and Imam Seybawayah agrees on number 16, Imam Qutrob and Imam Al-Fara’a said there are 14, but most of the scholars including Imam al-Jazary agrees on that there are 17 articulation points for Arabic language.
The Characteristics of Arabic letters:
The articulation point and the Characteristics of the Arabic alphabets go side by side in Arabic script. One must know the characteristics of the Arabic letters to give them their due rights. It also plays an important role in conveying the actual meaning.
A little shift in the characteristics can change the entire meaning such as: Qalb (heart) and Kalb(dog). Both have the same sound and the Makhraj is also very close .They can only be distinguished by their characteristics upon hearing. The Qaaf in Qalb is pronounced heavy whereas Kaaf in Kalb is pronounced light. That is why sound knowledge of the characteristics of Arabic letters is very important. The characteristics are divided into two main categories:-
1.Permanent or Authentic Characteristics:
The Intrinsic or permanent characteristics that stay with the letters. Also known as original or authentic characteristics.
They are further divided into two categories:
a. Permanent Qualities with Opposites :
Al-Sifat-e-Lazima al-Mutazadah are the qualities that helps to balance the pronunciation of Arabic alphabets. There are total ten in number and pair with each other.
- Hams and Jahr: Hams means concealment and Jahr means to be apparent. The term is related to continuation or discontinuation of breath.
- Rakhawah and Shiddah: Rakahwah means softness whereas Shiddah refers to the strength or emphasis. To balance the both extremes there are a few letters of at-Tawassut which falls in between Shiddah and Rakhawah. It is not separate quality but a term of modertion in between.
- Isti’ala and Istifaal: The word Isti’ala means elevation and Istifaal being the opposite means lowering or dropping.
- Itbaaq and Infitaah: Itbaaq is actually the adhesion of tongue to the roof of the mouth and Infitaah means separation o the tongue the roof of the mouth.
- Idhlaq and Ismaat : Idhlaaq refers to fluency in speech whereas Ismaat means the desistance.
b. Permanent Qualities with out opposites :
As-Sifat-e-Lazima Ghair Mutazadah are the characteristics that helps in producing the sound of the letters. And make ease in readability. They are seven in number.
- Qaqalah : The vibration and jerk sound when pronouncing Letters of Qalqala.
- As-Safeer : The whistling sound that is emitted when pronouncing Saa,Zaa and Suaa.
- Al-Leen : The natural ease that happens when pronouncing the leen letters i.e: the Wao and the Yaa.
- Al-Inhiraf : The deviation of tongue between the makharij of the letter Raa and Yaa when pronouncing them.
- At-Takreer : The repitation of tongue when pronouncing the letter Raa.
- At-Tafasshy : It involves the spreading of mouth while pronouncing the the letter Sha.
- Istitaalah : Prolongation in the sound of the the letter Duaad from its makhraj.
2.Temporary or Non-Authentic characteristics:
The Non-Intrinsic or temporary characteristics of Arabic letters are subjected to the grammatical placing of the letter. These qualities are not the part of the letters but they come and go according to the grammatical rules and placing. mostly effected by vowels and the relation with the joining letters. They are total nine in number:
- Clarity (Al-Ethehaar) : The clarity in the pronunciation and appearance of a letter.
- Merging (Al-Idgham) : The merging of one letter in another.
- Hiding (Al-Ikhfa) : The hiding or concealing of a letter.
- Reducing ( Al-Qasr) : This applies to shortening of a letter.
- Turning or Changing (Al-Iqlab) : Iqlab refers to the turning or changing between noon sakinak and meem sakinah.
- Elongation (Al-Mad) : The elongation of letters to 8,4 or 6 counts due to original or temporary Mad
- Intensity (Al-Tafkheem) : The heaviness of the letters in pronunciation regardless their position or vowel.
- Lightening (Al-Tarqeeq) : Opposite of Al-Tarqeeq, that is lightening of arabic letters in pronunciation.
- Stopping (Al-Sakat) : There are certain rules in Arabic Script for stopping for each letter. It is called Al-Sakat
The Makhraj of Arabic Letters is a vast subject. It can be categorized as a scientific knowledge that helps in interpreting the language. Moreover it should be learned under the supervision of qualified instructors. So, that one can perfect the articulation point of arabic letters correctly. And the chances of distorting the meaning can be eliminated.