Letter 29 of 29
Hamzah
Transliterated “'”
ء
Its four forms
An Arabic letter changes shape depending on where it sits in a word. All four are the same letter.
- Isolated
- ء
- Initial
- أ
- Medial
- ـئـ
- Final
- ـأ
Where it comes from
Deepest part of the throat
A glottal stop — the catch in the middle of "uh-oh". Distinct from alif.
More on this articulation point →Qualities
- Shiddah
- Jahr
Joining: Does not join to the letter that follows — one of the six non-joiners.
Common mistakes
- Treating it as alif
- Softening it so it disappears
In the Quran
- 96:1اقْرَأْHamzah at a stop