"But as for me, He is Allah, my Lord, and I do not associate anyone with my Lord."

Muhammad said: "Lakinna" (But as for me) was written, as Abu Ubayd mentioned, with an alif in the Mushaf (codex) which is said to be the Mushaf of Uthman. He said: More than one reciter recited it with a shadda (doubling) by dropping the alif when they connect the recitation, and its origin in my view is "lakin ana" (but I), so the two nuns (n) met and were assimilated. Thus, when the recitation is connected, the alif is dropped, but it is retained in the pause. This is like your saying: "ana fa'altu dhalika" (I did that), where the alif is omitted, but if you pause on it, you say: "ana" (I), by retaining the alif.

Muhammad said: Al-Zajjaj mentioned that whoever retains the alif in the connection just as he retains it in the pause, he is following the dialect of those who say: "ana fa'altu" (I did). He added: Retaining it in the connection is irregular (shadhdh).