What Is Ghunnah in Tajweed? When and How Long to Hold It

Ghunnah is the soft humming sound you hear in the Quran on words like innaa and an-naas. It is part of several tajweed rules at once, so understanding it well helps you with ikhfa, idgham, iqlab and the rules of meem — all at the same time.

This guide explains what ghunnah is, where it comes from, when it is held, how long it lasts, and how to practise it.

What does ghunnah mean?

Ghunnah (غنة) is the nasal sound that comes from the nose (the khayshum, the nasal cavity) when you pronounce noon and meem. Every noon and meem has some ghunnah naturally, but in certain situations tajweed requires you to hold it for about two counts.

You can test it: say a long "nnnn", then pinch your nose. The sound stops. That sound is ghunnah.

When is ghunnah held for two counts?

The strength of ghunnah

Teachers describe ghunnah as having levels. A simple way to remember them:

1. Strongest — noon or meem with shaddah, as in النَّاسِ (114:1).
1. Strong — in idgham with ghunnah.
1. Medium — in ikhfa, iqlab and the meem rules.
1. Light — a noon or meem with sukoon read clearly (izhar).
1. Lightest — a noon or meem with a vowel, like the na in نَعْبُدُ.

Only the first three are held for two counts. The last two keep just the natural, brief nasal quality of the letter.

How to produce ghunnah correctly

1. Let the sound flow through your nose, not your mouth.
1. Keep the mouth shaped for the letter — for a meem the lips stay closed, for a noon the tongue stays in place (or moves towards the next letter in ikhfa).
1. Hold for two counts, then release.
1. Keep the pitch steady. Ghunnah should not rise or wobble.

Common mistakes

• Too short. Rushing ghunnah so innaa sounds like inaa.
• Too long. Holding it for three or four counts.
• Ghunnah in the wrong place — for example before ل or ر, or before the throat letters (izhar).
• Breathy ghunnah from the mouth instead of the nose.
• Uneven lengths — long in one place, short in the next.

How to practise

1. Read Surah An-Nas and Surah Al-Kawthar, and underline every noon and meem with shaddah.
1. Mark each ikhfa and idgham in the same surahs.
1. Read slowly with finger counts, then at normal speed.
1. Ask a teacher to listen. Uneven ghunnah is one of the most common things teachers correct.

Ghunnah connects many rules, so it is worth revisiting as you learn each one. Follow the full order in our Tajweed guide, or practise one-to-one in our online Tajweed course.