Learning the Arabic alphabet is the very first step to reading the Holy Quran. Unlike English, Arabic is written from right to left, and the letters change shape depending on where they appear in a word. It might seem daunting at first, but with this guide, we'll break it down into simple, manageable steps.
Why Learn Arabic Letters?
You cannot read the Quran without knowing the letters. Transliteration (reading Arabic in English letters) is a temporary crutch and serves only as a bridge. To truly connect with the Quran and recite it as it was revealed, you must master the original script.
The 28 Arabic Letters (Chart)
Here are all 28 letters of the Arabic alphabet in their isolated form.
| Letter | Name | Transliteration | Pronunciation Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ا | Alif | A / - | Long vowel 'aa' |
| ب | Ba | B | Like 'b' in Bat |
| ت | Ta | T | Soft 't', tongue touches teeth |
| ث | Tha | Th | Like 'th' in Think (Soft) |
| ج | Jeem | J | Like 'j' in Jam |
| ح | Haa | H | Sharp 'h' from middle of throat |
| خ | Khaa | Kh | Heavy sound from top of throat (like Loch Ness) |
| د | Dal | D | Soft 'd', like 'the' |
| ذ | Dhal | Dh | Like 'th' in This |
| ر | Raa | R | Rolling 'r' (Heavy or light) |
| ز | Zaa | Z | Like 'z' in Zoo |
| س | Seen | S | Like 's' in Seen |
| ش | Sheen | Sh | Like 'sh' in Sheep |
| ص | Saad | S | Heavy 'S', mouth full of air |
| ض | Daad | D | Heavy 'D', sides of tongue touch molars |
| ط | Taa | T | Heavy 'T', mouth full of air |
| ظ | Dhaa | Dh | Heavy 'Dh', like 'th' in This but heavier |
| ع | Ain | 'A | Unique sound from middle of throat |
| غ | Ghain | Gh | Gargling sound (like French 'R') |
| ف | Fa | F | Like 'f' in Fan |
| ق | Qaf | Q | Deep 'k' from back of throat |
| ك | Kaf | K | Like 'k' in Kite |
| ل | Lam | L | Like 'l' in Lamp |
| م | Meem | M | Like 'm' in Moon |
| ن | Noon | N | Like 'n' in Noon |
| هـ | Ha | H | Deep chest 'h', like 'h' in Hut |
| و | Waw | W | Like 'w' in Wow |
| ي | Ya | Y | Like 'y' in Yes |
Letter Forms: Initial, Medial, Final
Arabic is cursive script. Letters connect to each other. Because of this, a letter's shape changes depending on whether it is at the start, middle, or end of a word.
- Isolated: Standing alone (e.g., ب)
- Initial: Connected to the letter after it (e.g., بـ)
- Medial: Connected to letters before and after (e.g., ـبـ)
- Final: Connected to the letter before it (e.g., ـب)
Letters That Look Similar
Beginners often confuse these pairs. Pay attention to the dots!
Ba (ب) vs Noon (ن)
Ba has one dot below. Noon has one dot above.
Ta (ت) vs Tha (ث)
Ta has two dots above. Tha has three dots above. (Both have same boat shape).
Jeem (ج) vs Kha (خ) vs Ha (ح)
Jeem has a dot inside/below. Kha has a dot on top. Ha has no dots.
Dal (د) vs Dhal (ذ)
Dal has no dots. Dhal has one dot on top.
From Alphabet to Reading Quran
Once you know the letters, the next step is Noorani Qaida. This course teaches you how to connect letters, read markers (Fatha, Kasra, Damma), and form words. It is the fastest way to start reading Quran.
Master the Alphabet in 1 Week
Our expert teachers make learning letters fun and easy for kids and adults.
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