Madd (prolongation)كِتَ
Natural madd (2 counts)
It is [their destination recorded in] a register inscribed
Madd (prolongation)
الْمَدّ الطَّبِيعِيّ
Natural madd (madd asli)
Natural madd is stretching a long vowel (alif, waw or ya of madd) for exactly two counts when no hamza or sukun follows it.
Definition
The madd letters are alif after a fatha, waw sakinah after a damma and ya sakinah after a kasra. A natural madd lasts two counts (about the time of opening or closing a finger). The small letters of the mushaf (the dagger alif ـٰ, the small waw ۥ and small ya ۦ) are read the same way.
Letters
- ا
- و
- ي
Alif after fatha, waw after damma, ya after kasra.
Natural madd (2 counts)
How to pronounce it
- 1
Hold the vowel steadily for two counts: not shorter, not longer.
- 2
Keep the pitch even; do not wobble or add a hum.
Examples from the Quran
Only the letters that follow this rule are coloured. Press play to hear the ayah, or open it for the full page.
إِلَ
Natural madd (2 counts)
The God of mankind,
وَفَ
Natural madd (2 counts)
And fruit and grass -
لِإِيلَ
Natural madd (2 counts)
For the accustomed security of the Quraysh -
كِرَامًا كَ
Natural madd (2 counts)
Noble and recording;
Common mistakes
- Cutting the madd short so “qāla” sounds like “qala”.
- Over-stretching, which blurs it with the longer madd types.
Frequently asked questions
What is Natural madd?
Natural madd is stretching a long vowel (alif, waw or ya of madd) for exactly two counts when no hamza or sukun follows it.
How many counts is natural madd?
Two counts (harakat).
Why is it called natural?
Because the long vowel cannot exist without it: it needs no extra cause such as a hamza or sukun.
Cite this
Cite thisPermanent link: https://holy-quran-noor.vercel.app/learn/tajweed/madd-natural
- Plain
- Natural madd: Tajweed Rule, Letters & Quran Examples | স্বাভাবিক মাদ্দ (Tajweed). Noor Quran. https://holy-quran-noor.vercel.app/learn/tajweed/madd-natural
- APA
- Noor Quran. (n.d.). Natural madd: Tajweed Rule, Letters & Quran Examples | স্বাভাবিক মাদ্দ [Tajweed]. Retrieved November 13, 2026, from https://holy-quran-noor.vercel.app/learn/tajweed/madd-natural
- MLA
- “Natural madd: Tajweed Rule, Letters & Quran Examples | স্বাভাবিক মাদ্দ.” Tajweed. Noor Quran, https://holy-quran-noor.vercel.app/learn/tajweed/madd-natural. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.
- Markdown
- [Natural madd: Tajweed Rule, Letters & Quran Examples | স্বাভাবিক মাদ্দ](https://holy-quran-noor.vercel.app/learn/tajweed/madd-natural) — Tajweed, Noor Quran