In the name of Allah The Compassionate The Loving.
Lip Letters (ب و م ف).
Salam alaikum wa rahmatu Allahi wa BarakatuHu. Peace be upon the followers of guidance.

In this lesson we will go over the letters of the lip.

Lip Letters


The lip letters are four:

1. ب (ba)
2. و (wow)
3. م (meem)
4. ف (fa)



ب


The ب (ba) is a strong letter, and a thin letter (Muraqaqa). When pronouncing thin (muraqaqa) letters like ب (ba) keep the side of the mouth apart. The thick letters have a "o" sound, and the thin letters have an "a" sound. ب (ba) would sound sort of like "bat" , not like "bought".

The ب (ba) is emitted between the lips, when they are closed together.

It has six characteristics:
1. Jahr الجهر - No air coming out when pronounced.
2. Shiddat الشدة - strong, sound stops with force.
3. Istifal الاستفال - thin letter, keep the jaw more closed and lips apart.
4. Infitah الانفتاح - keep the tongue away from the roof of the mouth.
5. Idhlaq الإذلاق - Of the "super" arabic letters.
6. qalqala القلقلة - resonated letter.


Incha Allah we will cover the characteristics of the letters more in detail in a future lesson.

It is incumbant to memorize the emission point of the ب (ba), and guard the characteristics firmly; it is always pronounced thin. Observe the following:

The ب (ba) should be clearly pronounced thin, if there is a thin letter after it or a thick letter or two thick letters like:
{ بَرِىٓءٌ۬ }
{ بَصَلِهَا‌ }
{ بَرِقَ }

Be clear of the strong characteristic, and without air coming out of the mouth, when it has a sakoon or a shadda like:
{ وَإِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ فَٱرۡغَب }

Be clear of the thinness and strong characteristic, when there is a weak letter after it like:
{ بِهِمْ }
{ بِسَاحَتِہِمۡ }

Be clear of the qalqala (resonance), when the ب (ba) has a sakoon ( بْ ) whether it is connected in the middle, or at the end like:
{ يَبْتَغُونَ }
{ مَئَابٍ }

Express it when it is voweled and repeated like:
{وَلَا نُكَذِّبَ بِـَٔايَـٰتِ رَبِّنَا }
{فَلَآ أَنسَابَ بَيۡنَهُمۡ }

The ن (nun) sakinah and tanween is pronounced with iqlaab (turned over), changed to م , when it is followed by ب (ba) like:
{ أَنۢبِـُٔونِى}
{ أَنۢ بُورِكَ }
{ سَمِيعُۢ بَصِيرٌ۬ }

The م (meem) sakinah is pronounced with ikhfaa shafawi (hidden lipped) when it is followed by ب (ba) like:
{ هُم بَـٰرِزُونَۖ }

The ب (ba) is a moon letter, meaning the ل (lam) in the definitive article ال is pronounced when it is followed by a ب (ba) like:
{ ٱلۡبَارِئُ }

The ب (ba) sakinah is eaten by a voweled ba in the rule of idgham mutamathilain like:
{ٱضۡرِب بِّعَصَاكَ }

The ب (ba) sakinah is eaten by a م (meem) in the rule of idgham mutajanisain in Surah Hud:
{ ٱرۡڪَب مَّعَنَا }

Total number of ب (ba) in the Quran (11490).

Here are some more examples of ب (ba):

(أَعُوذُ بالله مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ)

{ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ}

{إِيَّاكَ نَعۡبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسۡتَعِينُ }

{غَيۡرِ ٱلۡمَغۡضُوبِ عَلَيۡهِمۡ وَلَا ٱلضَّآلِّينَ}

{خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيہَآ أَبَدًا}

{يَحۡسَبُ أَنَّ مَالَهُ ۥۤ أَخۡلَدَهُ}

{قُلۡ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ ٱلۡفَلَقِ}






و


The و (wow) is a weak letter and pronounced thin. When pronouncing thin letters like و (wow) keep the jaw more closed. The thick letters have a "o" sound, and the thin letters have an "a" sound. وَ (wa) would sound sort of like "whack", not "wok".

The voweled و (wow), i.e. وَ وِ وُ وً وٍ وٌ is pronounced between the two lips, slightly opened, as well as the leened و (wow), i.e. the و (wow) sakinah preceded by a letter that has a fatha , like { خَوْفٍ }. In this section we do not cover the case where و is used as a mudd (extension) that is pronounced for the jauf (the cave of the mouth). We covered the mudd letters in a previous lesson.

It has six characteristics:

1. Jahr الجهر - No air coming out when pronounced.
2. Rikhawat الرخاوة - weak, sound continues to resonate and does not stop with force.
3. Istifal الاستفال - thin letter, keep the jaw more closed and lips apart.
4. Infitah الانفتاح - keep the tongue away from the roof of the mouth.
5. Ismaat الإصمات - Not of the "super" arabic letters.
6. leen اللين - Leen letter (sometimes).

Incha Allah we will cover the characteristics of the letters more in detail in a future lesson.

It is incumbant to memorize the emission point of the و (wow), and guard the characteristics firmly; it is always pronounced thin. Observe the following:

The و (wow) should be pronounced clearly when it is voweled or has a sakinah like:
{ تَفَـٰوُتٍ۬‌ }
{ وَلِكُلٍّ۬ وِجۡهَةٌ }
{ وَٱلۡوَٲلِدَٲتُ}
{ وُجُوهِ}
{ وَلَا تَنسَوُاْ ٱلۡفَضۡلَ }

Express it when it is repeated:
{هُوَ وَٱلَّذِينَ }
{ هُوَ وَالْمَلَائِكَةُ}
{ وَ هُوَ وَلِيُّهُم}
{خُذِ ٱلۡعَفۡوَ وَأۡمُرۡ بِٱلۡعُرۡفِ }
{لَوَّوۡاْ رُءُوسَهُمۡ }

or when it has a shaddah:
{عَدُوًّا وَحَزَنًا }
{غُدُوًّا وَعَشِيًّا}
{وَأُفَوِّضُ أَمْرِي إِلَى اللَّهِ}

The ن (nun) sakinah and tanween is pronounced with idgham (assimilation with the و (wow) ) and ghunna (nasal sound) when it is followed by و (wow) like:
{ مِن وَاقٍ۬ }
{ جَنَّـٰتٍ وَ عُيُونٍ۬ }

However if the ن (nun) sakinah is followed by و (wow) in the middle of a word, it is pronounced clearly like:
{ قِنْوَانٌ }
{ صِنْوَانٍ }

The م (meem) sakinah is pronounced clearly when it is followed by و (wow) like:
{ٱعۡبُدُواْ رَبَّكُمُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُمۡ وَٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِكُمۡ }

The و (wow) is a moon letter, meaning the ل (lam) in the definitive article ال is pronounced clearly when it is followed by a و (wow) like:
{وَبِٱلۡوَٲلِدَيۡنِ إِحۡسَانً۬ا }

Total number of و (wow) in the Quran (24816).

Here are some more examples of و (wow):

{وَلَا ٱلضَّآلِّينَ۬}

{لَكُمۡ دِينُكُمۡ وَلِىَ دِينِ}

{وَوَضَعۡنَا عَنكَ وِزۡرَكَ}

{وَلَمۡ يَكُن لَّهُ ۥ ڪُفُوًا أَحَدٌ}

{مِن شَرِّ ٱلۡوَسۡوَاسِ ٱلۡخَنَّاسِ}

{مَـٰلِكِ يَوۡمِ ٱلدِّينِ}




م


The م (meem) is a middle letter and pronounced thin. When pronouncing thin letters like م (meem) letters keep the jaw more closed. The thick letters have a "o" sound, and the thin letters have an "a" sound. مَ (ma) would sound sort of like "map", not "mop".

The م (meem) is pronounced between the two lips, slightly opened.

It has five characteristics:

1. Jahr الجهر - No air coming out when pronounced.
2. Tawasat التوسط - middle, sound is between continual resonation and stopping with force.
3. Infitah الانفتاح - keep the tongue away from the roof of the mouth.
4. Idhlaq الإذلاق - Of the "super" arabic letters.
5. ghunnah الغنة - nasal letter.

Incha Allah we will cover the characteristics of the letters more in detail in a future lesson.

It is incumbant to memorize the emission point of the م (meem), and guard the characteristics firmly; it is always pronounced thin. Observe the following:

The م (meem) should be pronounced clearly thin when after it is a thick letter like:
{ مَخْمَصَةٍ‌ }
{ مَّرَضٌ }
{ مَرْيَمَ}


Likewise when there is an ا (alif) after it like :
{وَٱلَّذِينَ يُؤۡمِنُونَ بِمَآ أُنزِلَ إِلَيۡكَ وَمَآ أُنزِلَ مِن قَبۡلِكَ}


or when it is repeated:
{ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ مَـٰلِكِ يَوۡمِ ٱلدِّينِ }
{ فَتَلَقَّىٰٓ ءَادَمُ مِن رَّبِّهِۦ كَلِمَـٰتٍ۬ }

The ن (nun) sakinah and tanween is pronounced with idgham (assimilation with the م (meem) ) and ghunna (nasal sound) when it is followed by م (meem) like:
{ مِّن مَّلۡجَإٍ۬ }
{صِرَٲطً۬ا مُّسۡتَقِيمً۬ا }

The م (meem) is a moon letter, meaning the ل (lam) in the definitive article ال is pronounced clearly when it is followed by a م (meem) like:
{ٱلۡمَوۡءُ ۥدَةُ }


The ل (lam) in a verb ispronounced clearly when it is followed by a م (meem) like:
{ قُلۡ مَا يَعۡبَؤُاْ بِكُمۡ رَبِّى لَوۡلَا دُعَآؤُڪُمۡ‌ }

The م (meem) with a shadda مّ is pronounced with a clear ghunna (nasalization) like:
{ عَمَّ }
{ مِمَّ }
{ لَمَّا }


The م (meem) with a sakoon مْ is pronounced one of three ways:

1. Idgham (assimilated) if after it is a voweled م (meem) , and pronounced with ghunna (nasalization). This is called "idgham mutamathilain sagheera" (small like assimilation) like:
{ هُم مُّبۡصِرُونَ }


2. Ikhfaa (hidden) if after it is a ب (ba) , and pronounced with hiding with ghunna (nasalization). The م (meem) and ب (ba) are both emitted from between the lips. This is called "ikhfaa shafawee" (hidden lipped) like:
{ هُم بِهِ }


3. Idhar (clear) if after it is any letter except م (meem) or ب (ba) , and pronounced clearly. One should be sure to pronounce it clearly if after it is a و (wow) or ف (fa).This is called "idhar shafawee" (clear lipped) because of the emission between the lips. Like:
{ لِيَبۡلُوَكُمۡ أَيُّكُمۡ أَحۡسَنُ عَمَلاً۬‌ۚ }
{ وَمِمَّا رَزَقۡنَـٰهُمۡ يُنفِقُونَ }


The letter م (meem) is found in the beginning of some surahs and is pronounced with six haraqats (beats) like:
{ الٓمٓ }

It is found in the begging of surahs: Baqara, Ali Imran, Aaraf, Raad, Shuara, Qasas, Ankaboot, Rum, Luqman, Sajda, Ghafir, Fussilat, Shura, Zukhruf, Dukhan, Jathiya, and Ahqaf.

Total number of م (meem) in the Quran (26732).

Here are some more examples of م (meem):

{لَكُمۡ دِينُكُمۡ وَلِىَ دِينِ}

{وَلَمۡ يَكُن لَّهُ ۥ ڪُفُوًا أَحَدٌ}

{مَـٰلِكِ يَوۡمِ ٱلدِّينِ}

{عَمَّ يَتَسَآءَلُونَ}

{أَلَمۡ نَشۡرَحۡ لَكَ صَدۡرَكَ}

{فَأَمَّا مَنۡ أَعۡطَىٰ وَٱتَّقَىٰ}

{حمٓ}




ف
The ف (fa) is a weak letter and a thin letter. When pronouncing thin (muraqaqa) letters like ف (fa) keep the side of the mouth apart, and the jaw more closed. The thick letters have a "o" sound, and the thin letters have an "a" sound.

The ف (fa) is emitted from the bottom lip with the tip of the top front incisor teeth.

It has five characteristics:

1. Hums الهمس - when pronounced you can feel air coming out of your mouth.
2. Rikhawat الرخاوة - weak, sound continues to resonate and does not stop with force.
3. Istifal الاستفال - thin letter, keep the jaw more closed and lips apart.
4. Infitah الانفتاح - keep the tongue away from the roof of the mouth.
5. Idhlaq الإذلاق - Of the "super" arabic letters.

Incha Allah we will cover the characteristics of the letters more in detail in a future lesson.

It is incumbant to memorize the emission point of the ف (fa), and guard the characteristics firmly; it is always pronounced thin. Observe the following:

Express it when a ب (ba) or a و (wow) or a م (meem) comes after it. These letters are close "muqarib" to ف (fa) like:
{ نَخْسِفْ بِهِمُ}
{ تَلْقَفُ مَا يَأْفِكُونَ}
{لَا تَخَفْ وَلَا تَحْزَنْ}

Express it and Be clear if it is voweled, or is repeated like:
{فَعَسَى ٱللَّهُ أَن يَأۡتِىَ بِٱلۡفَتۡحِ أَوۡ أَمۡرٍ۬ مِّنۡ عِندِهِۦ فَيُصۡبِحُواْ عَلَىٰ مَآ أَسَرُّواْ فِىٓ أَنفُسِہِمۡ نَـٰدِمِينَ }
{ وَمَا ٱخۡتَلَفَ فِيهِ }
{ خَفَّفَ ٱللَّهُ عَنكُمۡ }
{ تَعۡرِفُ فِى وُجُوهِهِمۡ نَضۡرَةَ ٱلنَّعِيمِ }


The ن (nun) sakinah and tanween is pronounced with ikhfaa (hiding) when it is followed by ف (fa) like:
{ فَٱنفِرُو}
{ وَإِن فَاتَكُمۡ }
{ عُمۡىٌ۬ فَهُمۡ }

The م (meem) sakinah is pronounced clearly when it is followed by ف (fa) like:
{ لَهُمْ فِيهَا }

The ف (fa) is a moon letter, meaning the ل (lam) in the definitive article ال is pronounced clearly when it is followed by a ف (fa) like:

{وَٱلۡفَجۡرِ}


In places of ل (lam) in a verb, it is pronounced clearly when followed by ف (fa) like:
{ قُلۡ فَأۡتُواْ بِٱلتَّوۡرَٮٰةِ }


The total number of ف (fa) in the noble Quran:(8746) .

Here are some more examples of ف (fa):

{قُلۡ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ ٱلۡفَلَقِ}

{وَلَمۡ يَكُن لَّهُ ۥ ڪُفُوًا أَحَدٌ}

{خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيہَآ أَبَدًا}

{إِذَا جَآءَ نَصۡرُ ٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡفَتۡحُ}

{وَرَأَيۡتَ ٱلنَّاسَ يَدۡخُلُونَ فِى دِينِ ٱللَّهِ أَفۡوَاجً۬ا}

{وَٱلۡفَجۡرِ}

{وَمَن يَعۡمَلۡ مِثۡقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ۬ شَرًّ۬ا يَرَهُۥ}




The ب (ba) و (wow) م (meem) and ف (fa) are letters that are pronounced from the lip, and may peace and blessings be upon prophet Muhammed.