Lesson 21: Secondary Qualities of the Letters

In this lesson, we will look at some of the extra qualities of the letters of the Arabic alphabet. These letters do not have opposites, and not all letters are necessarily accounted for. With this lesson we conclude our look at the Arabic language. Forgive our mistakes and please remember us in your prayers.

Secondary Quality 1:

Description: The letters which belong to this group are such that, when saakin, they will be pronounced with an echo. That is to say that the sound of the letter will echo and it will seem as if it has been articulated twice; once upon the breath reaching the exit-place and again upon the breath continuing onward.
Letters: قَطْبُ جَدٍّ

Secondary Quality 2:

Description: When articulated, the letters of this group will create a slight whistling sound and they will leave their place of exit with swiftness and sharpness.
Letters: ز س ص

Secondary Quality 3:

Description: The single letter in this group is such that, when pronounced, its sound will vibrate throughout the mouth.
Letters: ش

Secondary Quality 4:

Description: The single letter found in this group will be read such that upon its articulation will be a vibration/shiver in the tongue so as to extend the pronunciation of the letter, but not so much as to articulate the letter twice or more.
Letters: ر

Secondary Quality 5:

Description: These letters will be read softly and it is possible for their occurrence to be extended for several seconds.
Letters: و leen ي leen

Secondary Quality 6:

Description: These letters are such that their sound, upon completing pronunciation, returns back to the exit-place.
Letters: ر ل

Secondary Quality 7:

Description: The single letter of this group is such that its articulated sound will remain continues throughout the process of pronunciation. That is to say that the sound of the letter will be heard as long as the tongue, teeth, and etc are positioned to pronounce the letter as described in lesson 19.
Letters: ض

Practice

Please attempt the exercise pronouncing each letter from its proper place of exit and with all of its qualities.
 

إنَّ أَباها وَأَبا أَباها            –          قَدْ بَلَغا فِي الْمَجْدِ غايَتاها

يا أَيُّها الْمائِحُ دَلْوِيْ دُوْنَكا   –          إنِّيْ رَأَيْتُ النَّاسَ يَحْمَدُوْنَكا

أَقِلِّي اللَّوْمَ عاذِلَ وَالْعِتابَنْ     –          وَقُوْلِيْ إنْ أَصَبْتُ لَقَدْ أَصابَنْ

أَزِفَ التَّرَحُّلُ غَيْرَ أَنَّ رِكابَنا  –          لَمّا تَزُلْ بِرِحالِنا وَكَأَنْ قَدِنْ

إنَّ مَنْ صادَ عَقْعَقاً لَمَشُوْمُ    –          كَيْفَ مَنْ صادَ عَقْعَقانِ وَبُوْمُ

End of Lesson 21 - تمت بالخير