Rules of noon sakinah and tanween
A noon with sukun (نْ) or tanween is read in one of four ways, depending on the letter after it:
| Rule | Letters | How | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Izhar (clear) | ء ه ع ح غ خ | Pronounce the n clearly, without ghunnah | مِنْ عِلْمٍ, عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ |
| Idgham (merging) | ي ر م ل و ن | The n merges into the next letter — with ghunnah in ي ن م و, without in ل ر | مَنْ يَقُولُ = may-yaqulu, مِنْ رَبِّهِمْ = mir-rabbihim |
| Iqlab (changing) | ب | The n becomes m, with ghunnah | مِنْ بَعْدِ = mim-ba‘di, سَمِيعٌۢ بَصِيرٌ |
| Ikhfa (hiding) | the other 15 letters | A light, hidden n with nasal ghunnah | أَنْتُمْ, مِنْ قَبْلِ, عَنْكَ |
The six idgham letters together spell “يَرْمَلُونَ” (yarmaloon). Inside a single word, a noon sakinah before و or ي is read clearly, not merged: الدُّنْيَا، صِنْوَانٌ.
Practice — from a surah
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِلِإِيلَٰفِ قُرَيْشٍ ١ إِۦلَٰفِهِمْ رِحْلَةَ ٱلشِّتَآءِ وَٱلصَّيْفِ ٢ فَلْيَعْبُدُوا۟ رَبَّ هَٰذَا ٱلْبَيْتِ ٣ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَطْعَمَهُم مِّن جُوعٍۢ وَءَامَنَهُم مِّنْ خَوْفٍۭ ٤(1) For the accustomed security of the Quraysh - (2) Their accustomed security [in] the caravan of winter and summer - (3) Let them worship the Lord of this House, (4) Who has fed them, [saving them] from hunger and made them safe, [saving them] from fear.Surah Quraysh 106:1-4