The short answer: a meem sakin (مْ) has three rules, all called *shafawi* ("of the lips") because meem is made with the lips. Before ب it is hidden with a nasal sound (Ikhfa Shafawi); before another م it merges into it (Idgham Shafawi); and before every other letter it is said clearly (Izhar Shafawi).
The chart
| Rule | Next letter | How it sounds | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ikhfa Shafawi (hiding) | ب | The lips close gently, with a 2-count ghunnah | تَرْمِيهِمْ بِحِجَارَةٍ |
| Idgham Shafawi (merging) | م | The two meems join into one doubled meem, with a 2-count ghunnah | لَهُمْ مَا |
| Izhar Shafawi (clear) | All other letters | The meem is said clearly, with no nasal hold | أَمْ لَمْ · هُمْ فِيهَا |
1. Ikhfa Shafawi
When meem sakin is followed by ب, the meem is not pronounced fully. The lips come together lightly, and a nasal sound is held for about two counts before the ب. This is the same sound as Iqlab in the noon sakin rules.
2. Idgham Shafawi
When meem sakin is followed by another meem, the two join into one meem with a shaddah, held in the nose for about two counts. It is also called *idgham mithlayn* (merging two identical letters).
3. Izhar Shafawi
Before the other 26 letters, the meem is said clearly and without ghunnah. Readers must be especially careful before و and ف, because both are also made at the lips and it is easy to hide the meem by mistake:
- عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا (meem before و)
- هُمْ فِيهَا (meem before ف)
Common mistakes
- Adding a nasal hold in Izhar, which makes the meem sound hidden.
- Pressing the lips hard in Ikhfa Shafawi, so a full meem is heard before the ب.
- Cutting the ghunnah short in Idgham, so the doubled meem sounds like a single one.
Related: noon sakin and tanween rules and the makharij chart. To have a teacher check your rules of noon and meem, book 3 free trial classes. See how our online Tajweed course works.
