qalqalah

Qalqalah is a phonetic phenomenon in Arabic phonology and Qur’anic recitation in which certain consonants are pronounced with a brief, explosive echo when they carry a sukun (no vowel) or occur at the end of a word. The term comes from the Arabic qalqala, meaning “to shake” or “to quake.” It is most commonly described in tajweed, the traditional rules of Qur’anic pronunciation.

The phenomenon involves five Arabic consonants known as qalqalah letters: ق (qaf), ب (ba), ج (jim), د (dal), and ط (ta). When any of these letters bears sukun in a word or comes at the end of a word (or before a pause), the release of air creates a characteristic crackling sound or echo.

In tajweed, qalqalah is usually categorized into two levels: al-qalqalah al-kubra (major) and al-qalqalah as-sughra (minor). The major form is typically stronger and is associated with endings of words or pauses, whereas the minor form occurs in other contexts with a lighter echo effect.

The concept is attested in classical Arabic phonology and is a standard topic in manuals of tajweed. Practitioners of Qur’anic recitation learn to recognize when a qalqala is required and how to articulate it in a controlled, precise manner, preserving the rhythm and clarity of the text. Examples can be observed in recitation when a qalqala letter receives a sukun and is followed by a pause, producing the audible release. The precise rules may vary among schools of tajweed, but the basic phenomenon is widely recognized across traditions.