Rules of Meem Sakinah — أَحْكَام المِيم السَّاكِنَة

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A letter made with the lips

A meem sakinah is a meem carrying a sukoon — a meem with no vowel of its own (مْ). Because meem is pronounced by pressing the lips together, all three of its rules are called shafawi (شَفَوِي) — “of the lips.” Unlike the noon, tanween is never involved here: meem sakinah is always a written meem.

مْ

Meem Sakinah

المِيم السَّاكِنَة · a written meem with sukoon, made by closing the lips

Just three rules

Two depend on a single special letter each (ب and م); the third covers everything else.

The decision

Follow the next letter

When a meem sakinah appears, look at the letter right after it. That single letter decides the rule. Tap a branch to see what to do and a real example from the Qur’an.

مْ

The meem sakinah meets the next letter…

👆 Tap a branch above to see the rule, or tap a letter in the clear group below.

The clear group · إِظْهَار شَفَوِي

Every letter except ب and م — 26 in all. Tap any to check it.

Extra care with ف and و: they are formed very close to the meem, so it is easy to let the meem blur. Press the lips and say it clearly — e.g. هُمْ فِيهَا, عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا.

The three rules

What happens to the meem

Tap each rule to open it. Read the meaning, see the trigger letter, and study verified Qur’anic examples.

Your turn

Name the rule

Read each phrase. The meem sakinah is meeting the next letter — which of the three rules applies?

Question 1 of 10 Score: 0

Keep it close

Quick reference

Rule	Next letter	What you do	Ghunnah?
Ikhfa Shafawi إِخْفَاء شَفَوِي	ب one letter	Conceal the meem at the lips before ب.	Yes
Idgham Shafawi إِدْغَام شَفَوِي	م one letter	Merge the two meems into one stressed meem.	Yes
Izhar Shafawi إِظْهَار شَفَوِي	the other 26 all except ب and م	Pronounce the meem clearly — care with ف & و.	No