Question

In reading your lesson about the letters in the beginning of surahs I am wondering about the letter - as explained, it follows the med leen.  Why is it not possible to read it 2 counts as well as 4 and 6?  Is there any particular reason for that?

Jazakumu Allahu khair.

Answer

Wa iyyakum wa al-muslimeen.

Masha’ Allah, that is a good question.  Hafs ‘an ‘Aasim by the way of Shatibiyyah, lengthens the letter  at the beginning of surah Maryam and Ash-Shoora, four or six counts.  In other ways of Hafs ‘an ‘Aasim, it can also be lengthened two.  Some ways have only two counts for the , some allow all three possible counts allowed (meaning 2, 4, or 6), others have two and four vowel counts allowed,  and still others have only four allowed for this separate letter in the beginning of the two different surahs.