As-Sakt

As-Sakt

Definition of As-Sakt

Linguistically: As-Sakt is the opposite of speaking.

Technically: cutting off the voice for a brief moment, shorter than a full stop, without breathing, with the intention of continuing the recitation.

Positions of As-Sakt in the Quran

In the transmission of Hafs from 'Asim, there are four agreed-upon positions for As-Sakt, and two positions of scholarly disagreement.

The Agreed-Upon Positions:

1. As-Sakt between the words 'iwaja and qayyiman in ﴾Al-hamdu lillahi-lladhi anzala 'ala 'abdihi-l-kitaba walam yaj'al-lahu 'iwaja * qayyiman liyundhira ba'san shadeedan min ladunhu wayubashshira-l-mu'mineen﴿ (Al-Kahf: 1–2). The reciter must pause briefly on 'iwaja without breathing if intending to continue with what follows; the sakt falls on the Alif, without Tanween. It is also Sunnah to stop fully on it with breathing, since it marks the end of a verse.

2. As-Sakt between the words marqadina and hadha in ﴾Qaloo ya waylana man ba'athana min marqadina hadha ma wa'ada-r-Rahmanu wasadaqa-l-mursaloon﴿ (Ya-Sin: 52). Marqadina may only be connected to what follows with a brief sakt; a full stop is also permissible.

3. As-Sakt between the words man and raq in ﴾Waqeela man raq﴿ (Al-Qiyamah: 27). Stopping on man is not permitted, since it is not a stopping point; it must be connected to what follows with a sakt, without merging the silent Noon into the Raa.

4. As-Sakt between the words bal and ran in ﴾Kalla bal ran 'ala quloobihim ma kanoo yaksiboon﴿ (Al-Mutaffifin: 14). A full stop on bal is likewise not permitted; a sakt is required, pronouncing it clearly without merging.

The Two Disputed Positions:

1. Between Surahs Al-Anfal and At-Tawbah: ﴾Inna-llaha bikulli shay'in 'aleem * bara'atun mina-llahi warasoolihi ila-lladheena 'ahadtum mina-l-mushrikeen﴿ (Al-Anfal: 75 – At-Tawbah: 1). Both stopping-with-sakt and connecting without sakt (with Iqlab of the Tanween in 'aleem) are valid, though a full stop at the verse's end is preferred in practice.

2. Between the words maaliyah and halak in ﴾Ma aghna 'annee maaliyah * halaka 'annee sultaniyah﴿ (Al-Haqqah: 28–29). When continuing between the two verses, one may pause briefly (sakt) on the Haa of maaliyah then begin halaka, pronouncing both Haas clearly; or one may omit the sakt and merge the two identical Haas into a single doubled Haa. The sakt is preferred in practice when continuing. It is Sunnah to stop fully on maaliyah, since it is the end of a verse.

Mushaf Marking: the Madinah Mushaf

At the undisputed positions, a small Seen is placed above the last letter of the word to indicate As-Sakt on that letter when continuing.

A small Seen is placed on the Haa of maaliyah in Surah Al-Haqqah, since sakt is preferred there when continuing.

No Seen is placed above the Meem of 'aleem at the end of Surah Al-Anfal.