Ghunnah is a nasal humming sound held for about 2 counts. It’s strongest on نّ and مّ with shaddah (إِنَّ، ثُمَّ، النَّاسِ), and also appears in ikhfa, idgham with ghunnah and iqlab. Test it by gently pinching the nose: during ghunnah the sound changes or stops, because it comes through the nose. Common mistake: cutting it short when reading fast.
Reviewed by Jihad Fathy, Bloomtivo teacher · Updated
↓ The full answer
Ghunnah gives the Quran its warm, humming sound. Children enjoy practising it.
Where ghunnah happens
Situation
Example
Length
نّ or مّ with shaddah
إِنَّ، ثُمَّ، النَّاسِ
2 counts
Ikhfa (hidden noon)
مِنْ شَرِّ
2 counts
Idgham with ghunnah
مَنْ يَعْمَلْ
2 counts
Iqlab
مِنْ بَعْدِ
2 counts
Meem with ikhfa or idgham
تَرْمِيهِمْ بِحِجَارَةٍ
2 counts
The nose test
Hum “nnn” and gently pinch the nose: the sound stops. That’s how you know ghunnah comes through the nose.
Practise in Juz Amma
An-Nas: النَّاسِ five times: a perfect ghunnah drill.
Al-’Asr: إِنَّ الْإِنْسَانَ.
Al-Kawthar: إِنَّا، إِنَّ.
Common mistakes
Too short when reading quickly.
Too long (more than 2 counts).
No nasal sound at all.
Teacher’s tip: count two fingers during each ghunnah. Children who count stop rushing it.
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