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How many are the subtle pauses (saktat latifah) in the recitation of Hafs from Asim, and do they differ among the recitations?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

Sakt is the cutting off of the sound for a period without taking a breath or stopping completely. For Hafs, there are four obligatory saktah (pauses) in the Holy Quran: on the alif in (عِوَجَا) in Surat Al-Kahf, on the alif in (مَرْقَدِنَا) in Surat Ya-Sin, on the nun in (مَنْ رَاقٍ) in Surat Al-Qiyamah, and on the lam in (بَلْ رَانَ) in Surat Al-Mutaffifin. The reason for the saktah in these four places is to avoid an unintended meaning. Imam Al-Shatibi referred to these four saktahs. There are also two permissible saktahs: between Surat Al-Anfal and Surat At-Tawbah, and on the ha’ in (مَالِيَهْ) in Surat Al-Haqqah. The saktah for Hafs is a matter of differing opinions depending on the different chains of narration ( طرق الرواية ); it has been narrated that he performed saktah and that he did not. The saktah for Hafs only occurs with Madd Al-Munfasil. The reciter learns the precise application of saktah practically from their teachers.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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