An-Nabr (النَّبْر) in Tajweed is the art of vocal emphasis on specific syllables or letters within a word during Quranic recitation. This slightly louder articulation is not just a stylistic feature but a critical tool for clarity, accuracy, and proper delivery of Allah’s words. When applied correctly, Nabr in Tajweed ensures correct pronunciation without altering the natural flow or rules of the Arabic language.
Definition of An-Nabr
In classical Arabic, nabr refers to a strong utterance or intense cry. Phonetically, it’s the stress or emphasis placed on a syllable, making it slightly louder than others. In Tajweed, The accent is the technique of stressing a particular letter or syllable to:
- Highlight clarity,
- Preserve the gemination (shaddah),
- Prevent mistakes like letter merging or distortion.
This pressure does not alter the letter’s makhraj (articulation point) or sifah (characteristic) but rather elevates its clarity.
The Science Behind Nabr in Tajweed
Speech organs work synergistically during النَّبْر. For voiced sounds, the lungs increase pressure, the vocal cords come closer, and sound vibrations become stronger. For voiceless sounds, air is expelled with more force, making the target sound clearer and crisper.
In linguistic terms, every language has a stress system. Arabic’s is systematic and governed by rules that reflect both the structure and meaning of words. النَّبْر harnesses this system in Quranic recitation to maintain linguistic precision and spiritual reverence.
Cases of An-Nabr in the Quran
An-Nabr is applied in various contexts within Quranic recitation. Understanding these cases is essential for accurate and melodious recitation.
1. Stopping on a Stressed Letter
When stopping on a word ending with a letter that has a shaddah (gemination), the reciter emphasizes the stressed letter to indicate its doubled nature. For example, in the word “مُسْتَقِرٌّ” (mustaqqirrun), stopping requires stressing the final “رّ” (ra). This emphasis ensures the listener recognizes the geminated letter, maintaining the word’s correct pronunciation
2. Pronouncing Stressed و (Waw) or ي (Ya)
In words where the letters و (waw) or ي (ya) are geminated, such as “أَوَّابٌ” (awwaabun) or “سَيَّارَةٌ” (sayyaratun), An-Nabr is applied to prevent unintended elongation. The reciter emphasizes the stressed letter to maintain the word’s proper rhythm and meaning.
3. Transitioning from a Prolongation Letter to a Stressed Letter
When a geminated letter follows a prolongation letter, as in “الضَّآلِّينَ” (ad-dhaalleena), النَّبْر is used to highlight the transition. This emphasis ensures that the geminated letter is pronounced distinctly, preserving the word’s integrity.
4. Stopping on a Hamza Preceded by a Prolongation or Lenition Letter
In cases like “السَّمَاءِ” (as-samaa’), where a hamza follows a prolongation letter, An-Nabr is applied to prevent the hamza from being weakened or omitted. The reciter emphasizes the preceding letter to maintain the hamza’s clarity.
5. When the Dual Form Alif is Dropped
In certain grammatical constructions, the dual form alif is omitted to avoid the meeting of two quiescent letters. For example, in “وَاسْتَبَقَا الْبَابَ” (wastabaqa al-baaba), النَّبْر is used to indicate the dual form, preventing confusion with the singular.
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Determining the Position of An-Nabr in Arabic Words
Identifying the correct placement of An-Nabr within a word is crucial for accurate recitation. The position depends on the word’s syllabic structure and the context of recitation.
- Last Syllable Emphasis: If the final syllable is of the fourth or fifth type, النَّبْر is placed on it, especially when pausing. For instance, in “الْمُسْتَقَرُّ” (al-mustaqarru), the emphasis falls on “قَرُّ” (qarr).
- Penultimate Syllable Emphasis: In most Arabic words, النَّبْر is on the penultimate syllable, provided it meets specific criteria. Examples include “يُنَادِي” (yunadi) and “يَكْتُبُ” (yaktubu), where the emphasis is on “نَادِ” (nadi) and “كْتُ” (ktu), respectively.
- Third Syllable from the End: In past triliteral verbs like “كَتَبَ” (kataba) and “فَرِحَ” (fariha), An-Nabr is on the first syllable, such as “كَ” (ka) and “فَ” (fa). This placement maintains the word’s rhythmic balance.
How to Identify the Nabr Position
To locate Nabr in an Arabic word:
A. Check the Final Syllable (In Case of Pausing)
If the last syllable belongs to the fourth or fifth syllable type, then it carries the النَّبْر.
- (نَسْتَعِينُ) – nasta’een → Nabr on “een”
- (الْمُسْتَقَرُّ) – al-mustaqarru → Nabr on “qarr”
B. Penultimate Syllable (If the Last Doesn’t Qualify)
If the final syllable doesn’t qualify, and the penultimate isn’t of the first type or preceded by one, then the penultimate syllable carries the Nabr.
Examples:
- (يُنَادِي) – yunadi → Nabr on “na”
- (يَكْتُبُ) – yaktubu → Nabr on “tu”
C. Third Syllable from the End
Especially in triliteral past verbs:
- (كَتَبَ) – kataba → Nabr on “ka”
- (فَرِحَ) – fariha → Nabr on “fa”
- (اجْتَمَعَ) – ijtama’a → Nabr on “ij”
Shift of Nabr (انتقال النبر)
The Nabr may shift due to linguistic, structural, or grammatical factors.
1. Derivation from Another Word
- (كَتَبَ) → kataba → Nabr on “ka”
- (يَكْتُبُ) → yaktubu → Nabr on “tu”
2. From Verbal Noun to Verb
- (انْكِسَارٌ) → inkisaarun → Nabr on “saa”
- (انْكَسَرَ) → inkasara → Nabr shifts to “ka”
3. Grammatical Mood (Jussive Case)
- (يَكْتُبُ) – yaktubu → Nabr on “tu”
- (لَمْ يَكْتُبْ) – lam yaktub → Nabr shifts to “yak”
4. Verb-Pronoun Conjugation
- (كَتَبْتُ) – katabtu → Nabr on “tab”
- (كَتَبْنَا) – katabna → Nabr on “tab”
- (كَتَبُوا) – kataboo → Nabr remains
In verbal nouns:
- (اسْتِفْهَامٌ) – istifhaam → Nabr on “ha”
- (اسْتِفْهَامْنَا) – istifhaamna → Nabr shifts to “m”
- 5. Shift by Two Syllables
Rarely, the shift can span two syllables:
- (سَمِعَ) – sami’a
- (سَمِعْتُنَّ) – sami’tunna → Nabr shifts to “tun”
Key Observations on Nabr in Modern Contexts
Modern linguists confirm that:
- The Nabr remains close to its original position even when suffixes are added.
- It primarily lands on the penultimate syllable in most forms.
- It stabilizes clarity, especially in colloquial or informal speech where inflections are reduced.
Summary Table: When to Apply An-Nabr in the Quran
| Case | Example | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Stopping on Mushaddad Letter | ٱلۡبِرُّ | Clarify doubled letter sound |
| Mushaddad Wāw/Yā | أَوَّابٌ / سَيَّارَةٌ | Avoid misreading as madd |
| Madd → Mushaddad | الضَّالِّينَ | Proper transition between sounds |
| Hamzah after Madd/Leen | السَّمَاءُ | Prevent weakening of hamzah |
| Dropped Dual Alif | وَٱسْتَبَقَا ٱلْبَابَ | Clarify dual form despite omission |
| Tafkhīm vs. Tarqīq | الصَّلاة vs. السَّلَام | Ensure correct heaviness in recitation |
| Tanween followed by similar letters | عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ | Prevent merging or distortion |
| Idgham with Ghunnah | مِمَّا | Emphasize merging and nasalization |
Conclusion: Importance of Mastering An-Nabr
Understanding and applying An-Nabr in Tajweed is not optional for serious Quranic reciters. It:
- Ensures precise articulation,
- Prevents mistakes like omission or elongation,
- Maintains the beauty and structure of the Arabic language,
- Helps distinguish between singular and dual forms,
- Reflects depth in knowledge of Tajweed and Arabic phonology.
By mastering Nabr in Tajweed, one not only enhances their Quranic recitation but also contributes to preserving the divine speech as it was revealed.