ا
Shapes
Its four forms
An Arabic letter changes shape depending on where it sits in a word. All four are the same letter.
- Isolated
- ا
- Initial
- ا
- Medial
- ـا
- Final
- ـا
Pronunciation
How it is produced
Where it comes from
The oral cavity — no contact anywhere in the mouth
Carries a long "aa" when preceded by a fathah. It has no sound of its own.
More on this articulation point →Qualities
- Madd letter when carrying no vowel
Joining: Does not join to the letter that follows — one of the six non-joiners.
Honestly
Common mistakes
- Treating alif and hamzah as the same letter
- Shortening the madd to one count
Examples
In the Quran
- 1:2الْعَالَمِينَAlif held for two counts
Start at the first letter
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Questions about the letters
How is Alif pronounced?
The oral cavity — no contact anywhere in the mouth. Carries a long "aa" when preceded by a fathah. It has no sound of its own.
Does Alif join to the letter after it?
No. Alif never joins to the letter that follows, which is why some words appear to break apart mid-way.
What mistakes do learners make with Alif?
Treating alif and hamzah as the same letter and Shortening the madd to one count. A page cannot hear which of these a student is making, which is what the tutor is for.
Do you teach the Arabic alphabet in lessons?
Yes, one to one with a tutor matched to the age and level of the student. The free trial is a real lesson and ends with a written assessment, with no payment details asked for.
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A real lesson with a tutor, not a sales call. No payment details.