Lesson 31 Waqf (Pause) 

We strongly recommend to read and practice these rules  click here  or quran.pdf

The proper pausing (waqf) and starting (ibtida) while reciting is essential for a reader of Glorious Quraan. With an improper pause or start at a word or verse, the meaning of a sentence could be distorted. There are established methods for pausing and starting while reciting the Holy Quraan. A pause may occur due to one of the following reasons: (1) shortage of breath (2) Recommended pause (3) Mandatory pause. The rules for Waqf (pause) and Ibtida (start) are many but the following are essential for the beginner.
 

How to Pause (Waqf)
Rule 1. As a general rule, if a pause is made at any word for any reason whatsoever, in most case the last letter of a word must be made saakin . Exception: Fathatain and letter Ta (Marbuta) , these exceptions will be explained in next lessons

Rule 2: If a pause is made at a word ending with a Fathatain (with or without an Alif) then replace the with Madd alif (Tabii Madd) (lesson 14) The silent letters refer to lesson 19

Rule 3:. Any haarakah (vowel signs) over the letter round Ta (Marbuta) - substitute the sound of letter round Ta for a Ha saakin . This exception does not apply to long Ta (tawila)

Rule 4:. If a pause is made over a Tashdid letter at the end of a word, its haarakah will drop, but the letter must be pronounced with force in order to distinguish between a sukoon and a Tashdid

As a general rule, a pause should be made at the end of a complete verse which is usually indicated by round circle . (In many printing the verse number is also inserted inside the circle).

There are many other punctuation marks that generally appear in the middle or end of a verse. The detail of this is beyond the scope of this course. As a general rule for the beginner, make a pause whenever one find such marks namely, - - - - - - - -
- - - - - exception:
Wherever a pause is made, there must be a break both in the breath and in the sound. After making a pause, one should not continue recitation without a fresh breath. If one does no t pause at a place of waqf (pause) including at the end of a verse, the last letter of the word (on which a pause could have been made) must be pronounced with the its own haarakah (vowel).