Stopping at Ḏālika, Ka-Ḏālika, and Kun Fa-Yakūn in the Holy Qur’an

Abstract

Abstract:

The science of waqf (pausing) and ibtidāʾ (resuming) is one of the established Islamic sciences, essential to learning and applying the proper rules of Qur’anic recitation (tajwīd) as ordained by Allah and practiced by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and the majority of his companions (may Allah be pleased with them). This noble science holds a significant status because it governs the structuring of Qur’anic phrases, preventing confusion, overlap, or distortion of meanings. Its close relationship with Arabic grammar and morphology is well recognized, as the interpretation of Qur’anic verses often depends on where pauses are made. Qur’an reciters may differ regarding pausing points based on variations in meaning, as the reciter pauses at a point of completed meaning and resumes with what is contextually appropriate.

This concise study collects and examines the pausing rules related to the words Ḏālika (“that”), Ka-Ḏālika (“likewise”), and Kun Fa-Yakūn (“Be, and it is”) in the Qur’an—an area that has not been comprehensively addressed in previous research, which tends to focus on other terms. The aim is to compile and clarify all aspects related to these terms within this field.

The study reached several conclusions, the most significant of which are:

        1.The science of waqf and ibtidāʾ is of great importance, as evidenced by the attention given to it by leading reciters.

        2.Pausing points in the Qur’anic codices are based on understanding the meaning, which explains the differences in pausing practices among reciters depending on interpretive nuances.

        3.Variations in the types of pauses stem from differences in grammatical analysis and readings (qirāʾāt).

1. There are four pausing points for Ḏālika in the Qur’an and four for Ka-Ḏālika.
2. The phrase Kun Fa-Yakūn appears as a pausing point in eight locations in the Qur’an.