Hijaiyah (also spelled as Hijayah or Hijaiyyah) refers to the Arabic alphabet used to write the Arabic language. It consists of 28 letters and is the writing system used for the Quran, the holy book of Islam, as well as for other Arabic texts.
The Arabic alphabet, Hijaiyah, is written from right to left, and it includes both consonants and long vowel sounds. Each letter has a distinct shape, and they are combined to form words and sentences. Learning Hijaiyah is a crucial step for those seeking to read and understand the Arabic language, especially for Muslims who want to recite the Quran or engage with Arabic texts.
For those interested in learning the Hijaiyah, there are various resources available, including textbooks, online courses, and educational apps. Many mosques and Islamic centers also offer Arabic language and Quranic studies classes that include teaching the Hijaiyah. Mastering the Hijaiyah is an essential foundation for further studies in the Arabic language and Islamic literature.
Here are the 28 letters of the Hijaiyah along with their names and transliterations:
1. أ (Alif)
2. ب (Ba)
3. ت (Ta)
4. ث (Tha)
5. ج (Jim)
6. ح (Ha)
7. خ (Kha)
8. د (Dal)
9. ذ (Dzal)
10. ر (Ra)
11. ز (Za)
12. س (Sin)
13. ش (Syin)
14. ص (Shad)
15. ض (Dhad)
16. ط (Thod)
17. ظ (Dzha)
18. ع (Ain)
19. غ (Ghain)
20. ف (Fa)
21. ق (Qaf)
22. ك (Kaf)
23. ل (Lam)
24. م (Mim)
25. ن (Nun)
26. ه (Ha)
27. و (Waw)
28. ي (Ya)
Each letter has its unique pronunciation, and they can have different forms depending on their position in a word (e.g., initial, medial, final). The Hijaiyah serves as the foundation for learning the Arabic language and reading the Quran. By mastering these letters, learners can progress to more advanced studies in Arabic grammar, vocabulary, and literature.
It's important to note that the Hijaiyah doesn't include short vowel sounds (Fatha, Kasra, Damma), which are represented by diacritical marks and are essential for proper pronunciation in Arabic. Learning the full Arabic script and its vowel markings allows for a deeper understanding of the language and facilitates reading and reciting the Quran accurately.
