Signifance of ء

[TruthHood]

:salam:

What is the significance of hamza (ء) in quranic arabic?

I mean why not just use alif if hamza and alif sound the same?

[Mansy]

:salam:

What is the significance of hamza (ء) in quranic arabic?

I mean why not just use alif if hamza and alif sound the same?

Assalamualaikum, there are significant differences between hamza and Alif. As far as tajweed is concerned alif comes from the emptiness of the mouth whereas hamza comes from the bottom of the throat.

In language: Alif is a vowel and hamza is a consanant. The alif does not have a sound of its own, it takes its sound from the previous letter. The hamaza has a sound of its own 'a'. The confusion arises because of the way hamaza is written. Hamza is so small that in most cases it can't be written on its own, it needs a repository to sit on or sit under. The best repository for this is the alif, however you will find many examples in arabic where the hamza is also sitting on a waw or a yaa (without the dots). People from the south asian background are not taught this difference (probably to make things simple for the teacher who is teaching), hence we tend not to see the difference. However the difference is significant and one cannot be substituted for the other.

I am very strict on my students at uni and cross off their marks if they miss out the hamza from top of the alif.
hope that answers your question

wassalam
Mansur

[TruthHood]

:salam:

Yes that answers my question.

Jazak Allah