Lesson 5 – الدَّرْسُ الْخَامِسُ

Hamza tul Wasl  - هَمْزَةُ الْوَصْلِ 

·      In this part of lesson we will learn about a new concept which is the use of letter Alif in Arabic. In Arabic the letter "Alif" has two types:

o  One type of Alif is called "Hamza tul Qaŧξ". This type of Alif is always pronounced irrespective of whether it is preceded by some word or letter.

o  While the other form of Alif is called "Hamza tul Waŝl". This form of Alif appears in the beginning of a word but if preceded by some word or letter it is not pronounced even if written.

·      Please read the following examples:

·      In the above mentioned examples the letter /Alif/ of the words are written but they are not pronounced. In the first example, the letter /alif/ of the word /ibn/ (meaning son) is written yet not pronounced and the letter /ba/ is joined together with letter /wa/ of /howa/ and is pronounced /huwabnu/. This is similar to the letter /alif/ of the word /almudarrisi/, the letter /alif/ is written yet not pronounced and the letters /nūn/ of /Ibn/ (meaning son) and /lām/ are joined together to become /nul/ and the sentence becomes /huwab-nul mudarrisi/.

·      Similarly in the second example the letter /wa/ is joined with the word /Ism/ whose /alif/ is written but not pronounced and the word becomes /wasm/ and the /Alif/ of /Albinti/ is written but not pronounced so they become /was-mul-binti/. Therefore the sentence becomes /Was-mul-binti Aaminatu/.

• In these examples the letter /Alif/ of the words Ahmad, /Aina/ and /Anta/ are written and are pronounced. No letters are merged together. This type of /Alif/ is called /Hamza tul Qaŧξ/.
• There is no specific rule for recognizing /Hamza tul Qaŧξ/ and /Hamza tul Waŝl but the pronouns, the interrogative articles and the nouns beginning with /Alif/ have /Hamza tul Qaŧξ/.
• It must be however remembered that when /Hamza tul Waŝl/ is written in the beginning of a sentence and is not preceded by any letter or word, it is pronounced. It is dropped only when it is preceded by some letter or word. /Hamza tul Qaŧξ/ is always written and pronounced and is not affected if preceded by any letter or word.
• Please read the following sentences carefully and then click on the words to hear the speech, i.e. how the words should be pronounced.

• In the next part of the lesson we will  In-Shā’-Allâh (God-Willing) learn a new concept which is the use of Vocative Articles.