The Reality of “Waqf Lazim” and Marginal Signs in the Qur’an
Source: Fatāwā al-Deen al-Khālis, Vol. 1, p. 72
Question:
What is meant by Waqf Lazim in the Qur’an? Is it the same as the terms Waqf Lazim, Waqf Ja'iz, and Waqf Mutlaq written in the margins of the Qur’an? And who introduced these signs?
❖ The Meaning of Waqf Masnūn (Sunnah-based Stopping)
In the Sunnah, Waqf Masnūn refers to pausing at the end of each verse, as this was the style of recitation of the Prophet ﷺ.
It is narrated from Sayyidah Umm Salamah (رضي الله عنها) that when asked about the recitation of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, she said:"He ﷺ would recite each verse separately, such as:"
﴿بِسمِ اللَّـهِ الرَّحمـٰنِ الرَّحيمِ﴾
(He would then pause)
﴿الحَمدُ لِلَّـهِ رَبِّ العـٰلَمينَ﴾
(Then pause)
﴿الرَّحمـٰنِ الرَّحيمِ﴾
(Then pause)
﴿مـٰلِكِ يَومِ الدّينِ﴾
(Then pause)
(Jāmi‘ al-Tirmidhī: 248, Musnad Aḥmad: 6/302, Mishkāt al-Maṣābīḥ: 2204 – Authentic chain)
This meaning is also affirmed by Imām Ibn al-Qayyim (رحمه الله) in Zād al-Ma‘ād (1/164), who noted that the Prophet ﷺ would recite each verse individually and clearly. For further reference, see: Irwāʾ al-Ghalīl (2/59, Ḥadīth 243)❖ Rulings on Marginal Signs Like “Waqf Lazim” in the Qur’an
The terms Waqf Lazim, Waqf Ja’iz, and Waqf Mutlaq found on the margins of the Qur’an have no Shar‘i origin.
ʿAllāmah Anwar Shāh Kashmīrī (رحمه الله) wrote in al-ʿUrf al-Shadhī (2/120):"The labels such as ‘Waqf Lazim’ or ‘Waqf Wājib’ written in the margins of the Qur’an have no basis in the Sharī‘ah."
Imām al-Jazarī (رحمه الله) stated:"There is no obligatory (wājib) pause in the Qur’an."
Imām al-Suyūṭī (رحمه الله) in al-Itqān narrates from Imām Abū Yūsuf (رحمه الله):"The stopping signs written in our time in the Qur’an have no Shar‘i foundation."
Some scholars have interpreted the “waqf” mentioned in certain narrations as not referring to a full breath stop, but rather a brief pause (saktah).
❖ Conclusion
✔ The marginal symbols like Waqf Lazim, Waqf Ja'iz, and Waqf Mutlaq in printed Qur’ans are not proven from any authentic Hadith or Sunnah.
✔ The Sunnah-based Waqf (Waqf Masnūn) is to pause at the end of each verse, in accordance with the recitation style of the Prophet ﷺ.
✔ In Qur’anic recitation, the emphasis should be on applying the principles of Tajwīd and Tartīl, not on following non-authentic notations.
References:al-ʿUrf al-Shadhī, al-Itqān, Zād al-Ma‘ād, Irwāʾ al-Ghalīl, Jāmi‘ al-Tirmidhī, Musnad Aḥmad
