Basic
Laam Rules
Surah: Ar-Rahman (5)
Solar Lam and Lunar Lam (Al-Shamsiyya & Al-Qamariyya) — Difference and Examples
الشَّمْسُ وَالْقَمَرُ بِحُسْبَانٍ
— الرحمن الآية 5
Definition:
Solar Lam (Shamsiyya): the Lam of "Al" (the definite article) that assimilates into the following letter and is not pronounced. Called solar because "Ash-Shams" (the sun) is itself an example.
Lunar Lam (Qamariyya): the Lam of "Al" that is clearly pronounced. Called lunar because "Al-Qamar" (the moon) is itself an example.
Rule:
Solar letters (14): ت ث د ذ ر ز س ش ص ض ط ظ ل ن — Lam assimilates before these.
Lunar letters (14): أ ب ج ح خ ع غ ف ق ك م هـ و ي — Lam is clearly pronounced before these.
Quranic Example:
Solar: "Ash-Shamsu wal-Qamaru" [Ar-Rahman: 5] — Shams: Lam assimilates into Shin.
Lunar: "Al-Qamar" — Lam clearly pronounced before Qaf.
Note:
In writing: Solar Lam has a Shadda on the following letter (الشَّمس); Lunar Lam has a sukoon on the Lam (الْقمر).
Solar Lam (Shamsiyya): the Lam of "Al" (the definite article) that assimilates into the following letter and is not pronounced. Called solar because "Ash-Shams" (the sun) is itself an example.
Lunar Lam (Qamariyya): the Lam of "Al" that is clearly pronounced. Called lunar because "Al-Qamar" (the moon) is itself an example.
Rule:
Solar letters (14): ت ث د ذ ر ز س ش ص ض ط ظ ل ن — Lam assimilates before these.
Lunar letters (14): أ ب ج ح خ ع غ ف ق ك م هـ و ي — Lam is clearly pronounced before these.
Quranic Example:
Solar: "Ash-Shamsu wal-Qamaru" [Ar-Rahman: 5] — Shams: Lam assimilates into Shin.
Lunar: "Al-Qamar" — Lam clearly pronounced before Qaf.
Note:
In writing: Solar Lam has a Shadda on the following letter (الشَّمس); Lunar Lam has a sukoon on the Lam (الْقمر).
Source: Matn Al-Jazariyya by Ibn Al-Jazari; Al-Tuhfa by Al-Jamzuri; Hidayat Al-Qari by Al-Mursifi
Test Yourself
Is the Lam in "Adh-Dhaaleen" solar or lunar? What is the written sign of that?
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