Foundations
Makharij al-Huruf مَخَارِج الحُرُوف
The articulation points of the 28 Arabic letters.
Every Arabic letter has a precise origin in the mouth, throat, or lips — its makhraj — from which it must emerge for the recitation to be sound. The classical division is five major regions:
• Al-Jawf (الجوف) — the empty space of the mouth and throat. The three madd letters (ا، و، ي) emerge from here.
• Al-Halq (الحلق) — the throat. Six letters: ء ه (deepest), ع ح (middle), غ خ (closest to the mouth).
• Al-Lisan (اللسان) — the tongue. Eighteen letters, distributed across ten precise positions from the deepest part of the tongue (ق) to its tip (ل، ن، ر).
• Ash-Shafatayn (الشفتان) — the lips. Four letters: ف (lower lip + upper teeth), and ب م و (both lips, with و forming a slight pucker).
• Al-Khayshum (الخيشوم) — the nasal passage. The source of ghunnah, the nasal hum that accompanies م and ن when ruled.