Grammar
Part of SpeechInterrogative Pronoun / Compound Particle (Ism Istifhām)
Root (Arabic)
Root Transliteration
Tajweed & Pronunciation
Phonetic SpellingMā-dhā
Common MistakeShortening the Alif on *Mā* or *Dhā*, or failing to pronounce the interdental *Dhāl* (ذ) with the tip of the tongue touching the upper front teeth.
Learning Notes
Micro TafsirIn the Quran, *Mādhā* is frequently used in dialogue to prompt reflection, challenge assumptions, or inquire about divine decrees, reality, and human accountability (e.g., *Mādhā anzala rabbukum* - 'What has your Lord sent down?').
Memory HookAssociate *Mādhā* with the common Quranic inquiry *Mādhā mādhā* or questions starting with 'What did...?' (*Mādhā qāla*).
Contextual Verse
An-Nahl (16:24)
وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُم مَّاذَا أَنزَلَ رَبُّكُمْ قَالُوا أَسَاطِيرُ الْأَوَّلِينَ
And when it is said to them, "What has your Lord sent down?" They say, "Legends of the former peoples,"