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Alphabets & Symbols

The Alphabets & Symbols section covers the building blocks of Quranic Arabic — letters, vowel marks, and Tajweed symbols. These exercises are designed for learners who are new to Arabic script or who want to solidify their foundation.

  1. Click Practice in the top navigation.
  2. Select Alphabets & Symbols (or Smart Alphabets) from the practice menu.
ModuleWhat you learn
Smart AlphabetsRecognition and identification of the 28 Arabic letters
Vowel MasteryThe harakat (short vowel marks) — Fatha, Kasra, Damma, Sukun, Tanwin
Symbol MasteryTajweed symbols and how to apply their rules when reciting

The Arabic alphabet has 28 letters, each with up to four forms depending on its position in a word (initial, medial, final, isolated). Smart Alphabets exercises help you:

  • Recognise each letter in all its forms
  • Distinguish between visually similar letters
  • Connect letter sounds to their written shapes

How it works:

  1. A letter or letter form is displayed.
  2. You identify it from a set of options.
  3. Correct answers are confirmed; incorrect ones are explained.
  4. Progress through all 28 letters systematically.

Arabic short vowels (harakat) are small marks written above or below letters. They change the pronunciation of a letter and are essential for correct Quranic recitation.

Vowel MarkNameSound
َ (above)FathaShort “a” sound
ِ (below)KasraShort “i” sound
ُ (above)DammaShort “u” sound
ْ (above)SukunNo vowel — consonant stops
ً ٍ ٌTanwinDouble vowel sounds (an, in, un)

Vowel Mastery exercises test your ability to:

  • Identify the correct vowel mark on a letter
  • Pronounce a letter with its given vowel mark
  • Distinguish between similar-looking marks

Tajweed symbols are special markers in the Quran that instruct the reciter on how to pronounce or treat specific letters and sounds. Symbol Mastery teaches you to:

  • Recognise each Tajweed symbol in context
  • Understand the rule it represents
  • Apply it correctly when reciting

Common Tajweed symbols covered:

SymbolNameRule
مّ / نّShaddahDouble the letter sound
ـٓMaddElongate the vowel sound
ۚWaqfPermitted stopping point
ۛSaktahMomentary pause without breathing
ۜSajdahProstration recitation mark