Rules of Lam
Lam Shamsiyyah
The lam of "al-" is silent before fourteen sun letters, and the following letter is doubled.
لام شمسية
Scope
When it applies
- ت
- ث
- د
- ذ
- ر
- ز
- س
- ش
- ص
- ض
- ط
- ظ
- ل
- ن
Method
How to pronounce it
Do not pronounce the lam at all. Move from the alif straight into a doubled sun letter.
Examples
Worked examples
Each is cited so you can find it in the mushaf and check it yourself.
| Reference | Example | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1:1 | الرَّحْمَٰنِ | Lam silent, ra doubled. |
| 114:1 | النَّاسِ | Lam silent, noon doubled. |
Honestly
Common mistakes
- Pronouncing the lam, giving "al-rahman" instead of "ar-rahman".
- Failing to double the sun letter.
Related
Other rules in this group
Rules are learned by ear, not by list
A tutor hears the sound you are making and corrects it. That is the part a written rule cannot do.
Free trial
Ask a tutor about this
Tell us a little about the student and when suits you, and we will match a tutor. If you would rather ask something first, WhatsApp reaches the same people.
- A real lesson at a time you choose, not a sales call.
- Male or female teacher, in the language you ask for.
- No payment details, and no obligation to continue.
Before you book
Questions about this rule
What is Lam Shamsiyyah?
The lam of "al-" is silent before fourteen sun letters, and the following letter is doubled.
Which letters does Lam Shamsiyyah apply to?
ت، ث، د، ذ، ر، ز، س، ش، ص، ض، ط، ظ، ل، ن — 14 letters in total.
How is Lam Shamsiyyah applied?
Do not pronounce the lam at all. Move from the alif straight into a doubled sun letter.
What mistakes are common with Lam Shamsiyyah?
Pronouncing the lam, giving "al-rahman" instead of "ar-rahman". and Failing to double the sun letter.. These are the reason the rule is learned with a tutor listening rather than from a written description.
Do you teach Tajweed 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.
If your question is not here, ask it. We would rather answer honestly now than have you find out after enrolling.
Meet the tutor before deciding anything
The trial is a real lesson with an assessment at the end. No payment details, and no obligation to continue.
A real lesson with a tutor, not a sales call. No payment details.