Is It Possible To Pronounce “Kaf (ك)” Inaudibly Without a Clicking Noise?

Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Question

Is it possible to pronounce “Kaf (ك)” inaudibly without a clicking noise? When reciting Sura Fatiha during salah, I was reciting inaudibly, and when reciting the word Maliki, I don’t know whether I pronounced Kaf correctly, as in if I hit the points of articulation or not.

I’m having anxiety over this. Should I repeat my prayer? Or is this waswasa?

Answer

I pray you are well.

The “clicking” sound you referred to is one of the characteristics of the letter kaf. It is one of the huruf al-hams (whispering letters), which all have a similar sound when pronounced. This sound occurs automatically when you take your tongue off your point of articulation.

Don’t worry about this issue too much, and don’t repeat your prayer. The rules of applying tajwid are not very stringent regarding the validity of the prayer. [Jazari, al-jazari, Ibn ‘Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]

Focus on having more presence of heart when praying. That will benefit you more.

May Allah grant you the best of both worlds.

[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim Reasat
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History he moved to Damascus in 2007 where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Quranic recital and he was able to study an extensive curriculum of Quranic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.