Five Major Areas of Makharij
There are five primary regions from which the Arabic letters are pronounced. These are further divided into 14 to 17 specific articulation points depending on the scholar’s classification.
Al-Jawf (Oral Cavity)
Letters: Alif (with Fatha), Waaw (with Dammah), Yaa (with Kasrah),
These are the Madd letters (long vowels) and are pronounced from the empty space inside the mouth and throat.
Al-Halq (Throat)
Divided into three parts
Deep Throat (Aqsa al-Halq): Hamza (ء), Haa (ه)
Middle Throat (Wast al-Halq): Ayn (ع), Haa (ح)
Top Throat (Adna al-Halq): Ghain (غ), Khaa (خ)
Al-Lisaan (Tongue)
The tongue is responsible for articulating the majority of Arabic letters. It’s divided into ten distinct articulation points.
Back of the Tongue: Qaf (ق), Kaaf (ك)
Middle of the Tongue: Jeem (ج), Sheen (ش), Yaa (ي)
Side of the Tongue: Dhad (ض)
Tip of the Tongue: Laam (ل), Noon (ن), Raa (ر), Taa (ت), Daal (د), Taa (ط)
Between the Teeth: Thaa (ث), Dhaal (ذ), Zaa (ز), Seen (س), Saad (ص), Zha (ظ)
Ash-Shafataan (Lips)
Letters: Fa (ف), Ba (ب), Meem (م), Waaw (و)
Fa is pronounced by touching the bottom lip to the upper front teeth.
Ba and Meem by bringing both lips together.
Al-Khayshoom (Nasal Cavity)
Used for nasal sounds: Noon (ن) and Meem (م) during Ghunna.
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