Question

Asalamualaikum

I've been learning to read with my husband. He had recited to several people who are suppose to be teachers but was never corrected until recently about his kasra and Dhamma.  We have been reciting for example the "i" in bismillah more lightly like the "i" in the word "industry"  and not sounding like "beesmeellah" where it sounds more like a "be" as in "because".  and our Dhamma for example in "Alhum doo" has been more like "Alhum doh". 

We're so confused now because we've heard that the kasra makes the sounds like :Alif= ee,  Baa=Bee, Taa= tee etc.  Is this the only correct way?  or could it be:      

Alif= ih,  Baa= Bih, Taa= teh?  and thus not so emphasized on the "eee".

 When I see on websites "Bismillah" is the "i" really sounded like "eee" Thus" "BeesMeellah"? or is it "bi" as in "bill". 

and for Dhamma: Ive been now told that  Alif= ooh Baa=boo, Taa= Too or chould it be Alif=O, Baa=Bo, Taa tOh? (without emphasize on any "h".

Example in Ayatul'Qursi is "Allah hu" pronounced "Allah hoo" or "Allah ho" 

I understand that when linking it automatically becomes ooo's and eee's but in other areas I don't know.

I know its an elementary question but I just cant find the answers anywhere.  People just have letters like "i" and "ee" and then I'm told both sound like "eee".  If it  is: ooh, boo, too, thoo or ee, bee, tee, thee then why is eh, beh, teh, theh as in the word "end"  being taught still? 

Thank you for your patience.

Answer

Wa alaikum assalaam wa rahmatu Allahi wa barakatuh.

There is no such thing as an elementary question when it comes to the proper recitation of the Qur’an.  Anything that helps in proper recitation is important.

We changed your spelling of kasrah, to reflect the pronunciation more.  Often the Arabic is represented in English as a “q” and the Arabic  with an English “k”.  The kasrah vowel is with a .

It is difficult and many times incorrect to compare with a sound of a letter in another language since there are differences in dialects and pronunciations from one area to another, and sometimes the sound does not exist exactly the same in another language. 

The kasrah in recitation should sound like a shortened version of the , and this is similar to the long “e” as in the word “see”.  This sound should be the same no matter what kasrah we are pronouncing.  The mistake of pronouncing it like the short “i” is common, but it is a mistake.  It takes a bit of exercising of the mouth to get used to it, especially if it is followed by a saakin letter.

The dhammah in recitation should sound like a shortened letter , similar in sound to the last sound of the word “boo”.  Again, it is not a good idea to compare to English sounds as they are not always uniform from one dialect to another.  The dhammah sound should be made by a tightened circling of the two lips, with just a little space left between the two lips.  The lips should protrude in the circling forward, not downward. The sound of the dhammah like that of the kasrah does not change from one letter combination or position to another.

One common error that may come up when one is learning to pronounce the kasrah and dhammah properly is that in trying to produce the proper kasrah and dhammah the reader prolongs the sound longer than one vowel count.

The recent corrections that were given to your husband are proper corrections and insha’ Allah with practice you will both be able to rectify the errors.  Your question shows your keenness to learn properly, and we ask Allah to make the correct pronunciation of the Qur’an easy for you.

You are most welcome.

Wa assalaam alaikum