ء
Shapes
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
Pronunciation
How it is produced
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.
Honestly
Common mistakes
- Treating it as alif
- Softening it so it disappears
Examples
In the Quran
- 96:1اقْرَأْHamzah at a stop
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Questions about the letters
How is Hamzah pronounced?
Deepest part of the throat. A glottal stop — the catch in the middle of "uh-oh". Distinct from alif.
Does Hamzah join to the letter after it?
No. Hamzah never joins to the letter that follows, which is why some words appear to break apart mid-way.
What mistakes do learners make with Hamzah?
Treating it as alif and Softening it so it disappears. 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?
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