Pronunciation standards are crucial in Arabic, a highly structured and phonetic language, especially for people learning to read and recite the Quran. The idea of sun and moon letters (حروف شمسية وقمرية) stands out among these pronunciation guidelines. Pronouncing the Arabic definite article “ال” (al-), which is equivalent to “the” in English, correctly requires knowledge of these letters and the rules that go along with them. There are (28) letters in the Arabic Language. These Arabic letters are divided into 2 groups. One of them is the Sun letters (hrūf shamsiya – حرف شمية) and the other is the letters of the moon (hrūf qamariya – حرف قمرية).
An extensive explanation of the sun and moon letters, together with their definitions, guidelines, Quranic instances, and helpful hints for students, will be given in this gude.
What Are Sun and Moon Letters?
The way letters interact with the definite article “ال” (al-), which adds a layer of meaning akin to “the” in English, determines how they are classed in Arabic. Especially in Quranic Arabic, where correct pronunciation is stressed, this classification, which separates Arabic letters into sun and moon letters, affects pronunciation and meaning directly.
Sun Letters (حروف شمسية)
When the definite article “ال” comes before a sun letter, its assimilation property defines it. Because of this acceptance, the “΄” (lam) in “ال” becomes quiet, and the first letter after it is doubled with a shadda (Α), or stress mark, making the sun letter itself the focal point. This means that when we read or recite “ال,” we simply pronounce the sun letter, doubling its sound, rather than pronouncing it whole.
Example:
- The word الشمس (ash-shams) meaning the sun has the definite article “ال” followed by a sun letter “ش” (sheen). Here, the “ل” becomes silent, and “ش” is doubled with a shadda, so we pronounce it as “ash-shams” rather than “al-shams.”
Moon Letters (حروف قمرية)
Moon letters are the opposite. When “ال” precedes a moon letter, the “ل” remains pronounced, and there is no doubling or shadda on the letter that follows it. This clear pronunciation of “ل” without assimilation makes moon letters distinct and helps create the soft and flowing sounds typical of Arabic.
Example:
- The word القمر (al-qamar) meaning the moon has the definite article “ال” followed by a moon letter “ق” (qaaf). In this case, the “ل” sound is pronounced, and the sound flows directly to “ق” without doubling, resulting in “al-qamar.”
Why Are They Called Sun & Moon Letters
Let’s take a look at the “Sun Letters” in Arabic word and see what stands out. The sun is (Ash-Shams – الشمس) in Arabic. Notice that it’s pronounced Ash_shams with our lam sound and not Al_shams with lam sound.
The reason for that is that the letter (ش – sh) in Arabic is one of the Sun Letters. When a definite article and a word that starts with one of the Sun Letters meet, the “ل” in the definite article preceding it becomes silent.
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Types Of Articles In Arabic
There are two kinds of articles in Arabic which is Definite and Indefinite. One is called (Nakirah = Indefinite) and the other is (Ma’rifah = Definite). These terms are defined as definite and indefinite articles in English.
Indefinite Article “Nakirah”
When the words “Nakirah” are said, it is not clear what or who is being mentioned. Let’s talk about the features of these articles:
- Expresses the word in general terms.
- Ending with Tanween + do not have a definite article “ال”.
- Nakirah in Arabic = nouns used with “a, an” in English.
For Example: (مُدَرِّسٌ = a teacher)
The Definite Article “Ma’rifah”
- Clearly known who and what they are talking about.
- “Ma’rifah” is the opposite of “Nakirah”.
- These words are prefixed with a definite article “ال”.
- Its English equivalent is an example of nouns used with “the”.
For Example: اَلْمُدَرِّسُ = (the teacher)
The reason why we explained the subject of “Nakirah & Ma’rifah” is that this is one of the basic grammatical knowledge of “Definite & Indefinite” Articles in Arabic, and in order for us to better understand where the definite article “ال” comes from when talking about the Sun & Moon Letters Arabic rules.
That’s pretty much it. If you are still confused, please continue to read.
Arabic Rules for Sun and Moon Letters
Understanding these rules helps Arabic learners pronounce words accurately and preserves the meaning intended in Quranic verses. Here’s how to apply the rules for both types of letters:
Rules for Sun Letters
- Assimilation of “ل” Sound: When a word starting with a sun letter follows the definite article “ال,” the “ل” sound is dropped.
- Doubling of the Sun Letter: A shadda is added to the sun letter to indicate that the sound is doubled.
- Emphasis: The sun letter receives a slight emphasis as a result of the doubling.
Example:
النَّاس (an-naas) meaning the people—“ن” (noon) is doubled, so it’s pronounced as “an-naas.”
Rules for Moon Letters
- Retention of “ل” Sound: When a word starting with a moon letter follows “ال,” the “ل” is pronounced fully.
- No Shadda: The moon letter does not carry a shadda; it flows smoothly after the “ل.”
- Natural Pronunciation: Moon letters require no special emphasis or alteration.
Example:
البيت (al-bayt) meaning the house—“ب” (baa) is pronounced directly after “ل” without doubling.
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List of Sun and Moon Letters
To apply these rules effectively, learners should memorize which letters are categorized as sun and moon letters:
- Sun Letters (حروف شمسية): ت, ث, د, ذ, ر, ز, س, ش, ص, ض, ط, ظ, ل, ن
- Moon Letters (حروف قمرية): أ, ب, ج, ح, خ, ع, غ, ف, ق, ك, م, هـ, و, ي
Examples from the Quran
The Quran is filled with examples of sun and moon letters, which illustrate how these rules are applied in religious texts. Below are some examples to help understand how sun and moon letters function in Quranic Arabic:
Examples of Sun Letters
- الشَّمْس (ash-shams) – the sun: Mentioned in Surah Yaseen (36:38). The word shows the doubling of “ش,” with “ل” completely silent.
- الصَّالِحِينَ (as-saaliheen) – the righteous: Found in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:177). Here, “ل” is silent, and “ص” is doubled, creating emphasis on “ص.”
- النَّار (an-naar) – the fire: This appears in various verses like Surah Al-Baqarah (2:24), where “ن” is doubled after “ال” is assimilated.
Examples of Moon Letters
- القَمَر (al-qamar) – the moon: In Surah Al-Qamar (54:1), “ل” remains pronounced, with no assimilation effect.
- الحَمد (al-hamd) – the praise: In Surah Al-Fatiha (1:2), the clear pronunciation of “ل” is kept due to “ح” being a moon letter.
- البَيت (al-bayt) – the house: Seen in Surah Al-Quraish (106:3), with a clear, unaltered pronunciation of “ل.”
How To Remember Sun And Moon Letters?
We must first point out that these rules are really self-explanatory. When we say the Arabic name for (Sun letters – الحروف الشمسية), we can get a clue about which rule to apply in pronunciation.
The letter “ش” is made with Shaddah by hiding Lam Al-Tarif. In the word (الحروف القمرية), the letter “ق” is read without Shaddah, the letter Lam is pronounced clearly. It gives us information about what kind of rule it is.
Practical Tips for Learning Sun and Moon Letters
Here are some strategies to help learners recognize and apply sun and moon letters effectively:
- Memorize the Letter Lists: Familiarity with the lists of sun and moon letters is crucial. This can be achieved by grouping them into mnemonic devices or practicing frequently used words.
- Practice with the Quran: Quranic verses are an excellent source of practice, as they provide context and reinforce pronunciation. Start by practicing verses with words containing “ال” and identify whether the following letter is a sun or moon letter.
- Listen to Native Speakers and Recitations: Observing how native speakers and Quranic reciters pronounce words can help reinforce the difference. Listening to audio versions of the Quran, such as from a Qari (reciter), will provide authentic examples of sun and moon letter pronunciation.
Conclusion
Proper Arabic pronunciation and comprehension, especially in Quranic Arabic, depend on knowing the laws of sun and moon letters. When “ال” comes before a sun or moon letter, the sound changes, causing assimilation for sun letters and non-assimilation for moon letters. This rule is necessary for learning Arabic since it increases fluency and fosters an increased understanding of the language’s special phonetic structure.
