Basic
Laam Rules
Shamsi & Qamari Lam — Complete Letters and Examples
The definite article "Al" (ال): A sukoon lam added to nouns. The following 28 letters split equally:
Shamsi Lam (Solar Lam) — 14 letters: The lam is merged (idgham) into the next letter, which becomes doubled. Sign: no sukoon on lam, shaddah on next letter.
Letters: ط ث ص ر ت ض ذ ن د س ظ ز ش ل
Mnemonic: "Tib thumma sil ruhman tafuz dif dha ni'am — Da' su'a zhannin zur shareefan lil-karam"
Qamari Lam (Lunar Lam) — 14 letters: The lam is pronounced clearly. Sign: sukoon mark on lam.
Letters: ء ب غ ح ج ك و خ ف ع ق ي م ه
Mnemonic: "Ibghi hajjaka wa khaf 'aqeemah"
Named after the words "الشَّمْس" (sun, merged) and "الْقَمَر" (moon, clear).
Shamsi Lam (Solar Lam) — 14 letters: The lam is merged (idgham) into the next letter, which becomes doubled. Sign: no sukoon on lam, shaddah on next letter.
Letters: ط ث ص ر ت ض ذ ن د س ظ ز ش ل
Mnemonic: "Tib thumma sil ruhman tafuz dif dha ni'am — Da' su'a zhannin zur shareefan lil-karam"
Qamari Lam (Lunar Lam) — 14 letters: The lam is pronounced clearly. Sign: sukoon mark on lam.
Letters: ء ب غ ح ج ك و خ ف ع ق ي م ه
Mnemonic: "Ibghi hajjaka wa khaf 'aqeemah"
Named after the words "الشَّمْس" (sun, merged) and "الْقَمَر" (moon, clear).
Source: Tuhfat Al-Atfal verses 17-19 | Matn Al-Jazariyyah | Hidayat Al-Qari
Test Yourself
What is the difference between the Lam in "الشَّمْس" and "الْقَمَر" in pronunciation and Mushaf sign?
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