Malqaf

Malqaf is a term used in Arabic linguistics and Qurïanic studies to denote the pause marks used in Qur’anic manuscripts and other Arabic texts. The concept is connected to the Arabic verb waqaf, meaning to stop or pause. Maqaf marks indicate where a reciter may pause and what kind of pause is appropriate, guiding the maintenance of syntactic and semantic continuity in recitation. They help readers observe proper pronunciation, rhythm, and meaning, especially in the context of tajweed, the traditional rules of Qur’anic recitation.

There are various categories of pauses, including permissible, recommended, and prohibited stops, depending on grammatical and contextual considerations. The signs themselves can vary across manuscripts and editions, and some scholars use malqaf as an alternative transliteration of maqaf. Because the terminology and symbols differ by tradition and edition, the exact labeling and interpretation of a given mark can differ among sources.

In contemporary scholarship and pedagogy, maqaf rules are taught to ensure accurate recitation and textual interpretation. The topic intersects with manuscript studies, calligraphy, and the digital encoding of Qur’anic texts, where pause information must be preserved to reproduce authentic recitation. Overall, malqaf (or maqaf) refers to the system of pause indicators that guides readers in how to pause, continue, and interpret the Qur’anic text during oral reading.