Meem Sakinah (ميم ساكنة)

Meem sakinah is a meem (م) with a sukoon. It has three rules depending on the letter that follows it.

The Three Rules

• Ikhfaa Shafawi (إخفاء شفوي) – Labial concealment: When followed by ب. The meem is partially hidden with ghunnah (2 beats). Example: أَنتُم بِهِ
• Idghaam Shafawi (إدغام شفوي) – Labial merging: When followed by another meem. The two meems merge with ghunnah. Example: لَهُم مَّا
• Izhaar Shafawi (إظهار شفوي) – Labial clarity: When followed by any other letter. The meem is pronounced clearly. Example: عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ

Common Mistake

Many reciters incorrectly apply ghunnah to izhaar shafawi. When meem sakinah is followed by any letter except ب or م, it must be pronounced with no nasalisation.