Ghunnah Rules
The ghunnah rules are an important aspect of the Tajweed Rules since they specify when the nasal sound should be used in Quran reciting. Ghunnah is typically associated with the letters Noon (ن) and Meem (م) and always lasts two counts. The following are the scenarios in which Ghunnah is required:
1. Ghunnah At Noon Mushaddad (نّ).
Whenever the letter Noon contains a Shaddah, it must be pronounced with a strong nasal sound. Ghunnah rules are complete and cannot be overlooked. For example, in the word إِنَّا (Inna), the Noon is doubled, and Ghunnah is plainly used for two counts.
2. Ghunnah, Meem Mushaddad (مّ)
Just with Noon, if the letter Meem includes a Shaddah, Ghunnah is required. This also creates a full nasal sound. One example is ثُمَّ (Thumma), which requires reciting the Meem with Ghunnah for two counts.
3. Ghunnah At Ikhfaa
Ikhfaa means “to hide.” When Noon Saakin (نْ) or Tanween is followed by one of the 15 letters of Ikhfaa, the Noon sound is buried and pronounced as Ghunnah. The reciter should not make the noon entirely clear or blended, but rather use a soft nasal sound. Example: Minkum (مِنكُمْ).
4. Idgham With Ghunnah
Idgham refers to the process of combining one letter with another. When Noon Saakin or Tanween appears before the characters ي ن م و, they merge, and Ghunnah must be used. For example, in مَن يَعْمَلْ (Man Ya’mal), Noon mixes to form Ya and produces ghunnah.
5. Ghunnah Of Iqlaab
Iqlaab means “conversion.” When Noon Saakin or Tanween is followed by ب, the Noon sound transforms into a concealed Meem with Ghunnah. An example is سَمِيعٌ بَصِيرٌ (Sami’un Baseer), where the Tanween becomes a nasal sound similar to Meem.
6. Length Of Ghunnah
The Ghunnah sound always lasts two counts. Whether it’s Noon Mushaddad, Meem Mushaddad, Ikhfaa, Idgham, or Iqlaab, the duration is the same. Shortening or extending it results in an inaccurate recitation.
Following these ghunnah principles assures that a reciter’s pronunciation is correct according to Quran Tajweed norms. Mistakes in Ghunnah frequently alter the clarity of words and affect meaning, which is why following these guidelines is so important.
Types Of Ghunnah
According to Tajweed scholars, Ghunnah takes on two distinct forms depending on how aggressively the nasal sound is applied. Both varieties last two counts, although the loudness and clarity of the sound change.
Complete Ghunnah (Ghunnah Kamilah):
When the nasal sound is loud, prolonged for two counts, and extremely clear, it is called complete ghunnah. It is most frequently observed when a Shaddah (ّ) is carried by Noon (ن) or Meem (م). Since the Ghunnah is a key Tajweed norm, the reciter cannot disregard it or cut it short in this case.
Partial Ghunnah (Ghunnah Naqisah)
Partial Ghunnah is lighter and softer than complete Ghunnah, and it is still used for two counts. It appears in rules like Ikhfaa, Idgham with Ghunnah, and Iqlaab. In some circumstances, the nasal sound is not as powerful as in Mushaddad letters, but it is still necessary for proper recitation.
Both types are equally important, with the difference being how noticeable the nasal sound becomes during recitation.
