Waqf (وقف) signs appear above words in the Quran to guide you on where to stop, pause, or continue recitation.
WAQF LĀZIM — MUST STOP
Stopping here is obligatory. Continuing without pausing would distort the meaning.
WAQF MUṬLAQ — ABSOLUTE STOP
A complete stop is preferred. The sentence or meaning is fully resolved at this point.
WAQF JĀ'IZ — PERMISSIBLE STOP
Stopping is allowed here. Continuing is also fine — both are correct.
WAQF MUJAWWAZ — ALLOWED, CONTINUE BETTER
Stopping is permitted but continuing without a break is slightly preferred.
WAQF MURAKHKHAS — PAUSE WITHOUT BREATH
A brief pause is allowed if short of breath, but do not take a new breath — continue the recitation flow.
WAṢL AWLĀ — CONTINUE IS BETTER
Continuing without stopping is preferred here, though stopping is not wrong.
LĀ WAQF — DO NOT STOP
Do not stop here — the meaning is incomplete and stopping would cause confusion.
MUʿĀNAQAH — LINKED STOPS
∴ ∴
Appears above two words in the same verse. Stop at one or the other — never both, never neither.
SAJDA — PROSTRATION
Reciting this verse makes prostration (sajdah) recommended. Pause, prostrate, then continue recitation.
RUB EL-HIZB — QUARTER JUZ
Marks a quarter-juz boundary. Used as a reference point for tracking recitation progress through a Juz.
