# Natural madd (madd asli) (الْمَدّ الطَّبِيعِيّ)

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.

## How to pronounce

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

- كِتَـٰبٌ مَّرْقُومٌ  (Al-Mutaffifin 83:20): It is [their destination recorded in] a register inscribed — https://holy-quran-noor.vercel.app/surah/al-mutaffifin/20
- إِلَـٰهِ ٱلنَّاسِ  (An-Nas 114:3): The God of mankind, — https://holy-quran-noor.vercel.app/surah/an-nas/3
- وَفَـٰكِهَةً وَأَبًّا  ('Abasa 80:31): And fruit and grass - — https://holy-quran-noor.vercel.app/surah/abasa/31
- لِإِيلَـٰفِ قُرَيْشٍ  (Quraysh 106:1): For the accustomed security of the Quraysh - — https://holy-quran-noor.vercel.app/surah/quraysh/1
- كِرَامًا كَـٰتِبِينَ  (Al-Infitar 82:11): Noble and recording; — https://holy-quran-noor.vercel.app/surah/al-infitar/11

## Common mistakes

- Cutting the madd short so “qāla” sounds like “qala”.
- Over-stretching, which blurs it with the longer madd types.

## FAQ

**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.

## Related

- [Connected madd (madd muttasil)](https://holy-quran-noor.vercel.app/learn/tajweed/madd-muttasil)
- [Separated madd (madd munfasil)](https://holy-quran-noor.vercel.app/learn/tajweed/madd-munfasil)
- [Necessary madd (madd lazim)](https://holy-quran-noor.vercel.app/learn/tajweed/madd-lazim)

Cite: Natural madd (madd asli). Noor Quran. https://holy-quran-noor.vercel.app/learn/tajweed/madd-natural

Canonical: https://holy-quran-noor.vercel.app/learn/tajweed/madd-natural