Question

Asalaamu alaikum wrwb
 I would like some help in pronouncing the sukkon "raa".  I know the makhraj of raa, but do not know how to make a sukoon on it.  I have been told that I ought to hit the appropriate part of my mouth with my tongue a number of times to achieve this.  If so, how many times do I oscillate it, and in what direction is the movement: up/down or back/forwards.

At the moment I am unable to make sukoon at all (or for that matter raa voweled).  it sounds almost like a sighing sound like haaaw when trying to say "har".
Would appreciate any suggestions, jazaa kallhu khairan.

 Answer

Wa alaikum assalaam wa rahmatu Allahi wa barakatuh.

The articulation point of the letter is a challenge for many non-Arabs, depending on what their native language is.  The movement of the tip (and top of the tip) to the gums of the two front teeth is an upward movement.  The idea of trilling the  is to find the articulation point; if you can trill it, then you have found the correct place.  It doesn’t matter how many times you trill it when practicing it, the important thing is that you get the “feel” for the place your tongue should be hitting.  When reciting the Qur’an however, this trilling should be controlled. 

We have answered a similar question not too long  ago.  Please click on the following link, and insha’ Allah it will help you.

http://www.abouttajweed.com/050403.htm

May Allah make the pronunciation of the letter  easy for you and guide your tongue to the correct place. 

Wa iyyaakum wa-l-muslimeen.

Wa assalaam alaikum