Iqlab is the shortest rule to learn of the four rules of noon sakinah and tanween — it has only one letter. But it is easy to miss when you read quickly, so it is worth learning to spot it and to make its sound properly.
This guide explains what iqlab is, how to recognise it in the Mushaf, how to pronounce it, and the most common mistakes.
What does iqlab mean?
Iqlab (إقلاب) means "to turn" or "to change one thing into another". In tajweed, it means that a noon sakinah (نْ) or tanween that comes before the letter ب (ba) is changed into a meem sound, which is then hidden with a ghunnah of about two counts.
So min ba'di is not read with a clear "n" — it becomes mim ba'di, with a soft nasal meem.
Why does the noon change?
Noon is pronounced with the tip of the tongue, while ba is pronounced with the lips. Going directly from one to the other is awkward. Meem shares its place of articulation with ba (the lips) and its nasal quality with noon (ghunnah), so it makes a natural bridge between the two.
How to recognise iqlab in the Mushaf
In most printed Mushafs, iqlab is marked with a small meem (ۢ) placed above or below the noon or tanween. When you see that little meem, you know to apply iqlab.
Where it happens | Example | Reference |
|---|---|---|
Inside one word | لَيُنۢبَذَنَّ | |
Noon sakinah, across two words | مِنۢ بَعْدِ | |
Inside one word (another example) | أَنۢبِئْهُم | |
Tanween before ba | سَمِيعٌۢ بَصِيرٌ |
How to pronounce iqlab
- Do not pronounce the noon. Keep your tongue away from the noon position.
- Bring your lips together lightly, as if to say meem — without pressing hard.
- Hold the nasal sound through your nose for about two counts.
- Open into the ba cleanly.
Common mistakes
- Saying a clear noon — min ba'di instead of mim ba'di.
- Pressing the lips too hard, which makes a full, heavy meem instead of a hidden one.
- No ghunnah — closing the lips and going straight to the ba.
- Ghunnah that is too long — keep it to about two counts.
- Missing the small meem when reading quickly. Slow down when you see it.
Iqlab compared with the other rules of noon sakinah
Rule | Letters | What happens |
|---|---|---|
ء ه ع ح غ خ | Noon is pronounced clearly | |
ي ر م ل و ن | Noon merges into the next letter | |
Iqlab | ب | Noon becomes a hidden meem with ghunnah |
The other 15 letters | Noon is partly hidden |
Iqlab sounds very similar to ikhfa shafawi — when a meem sakinah comes before ba. You can read about that in our guide to the rules of meem sakinah.
How to practise
- Read Surah Al-Humazah and find the iqlab in verse 4.
- Look through one page of Surah Al-Baqarah and circle every small meem.
- Practise each one slowly with a two-count ghunnah, then at normal speed.
- Ask a teacher to check that your lips are soft, not pressed.
Continue with ghunnah, see the full order in our Tajweed guide, or practise with a teacher in our online Tajweed course.
FAQ
What is the letter of iqlab?
Only one letter: ba. When a noon sakinah or tanween is followed by ba, iqlab applies.
How long is the ghunnah in iqlab?
About two counts, the same as in ikhfa and idgham with ghunnah.
How do I know where iqlab is in the Quran?
Most Mushafs print a small meem above or below the noon or tanween wherever iqlab applies.
Is iqlab the same as ikhfa shafawi?
They sound almost the same, but iqlab starts from a noon sakinah or tanween, while ikhfa shafawi starts from a meem sakinah. Both happen before ba.
Sources
- Surah Al-Humazah 104:4 — Quran.com
- Surah Al-Baqarah 2:27 and 2:33 — Quran.com
- Surah Al-Hajj 22:61 — Quran.com
- Tajwid — Wikipedia