If you are learning Arabic, then most definitely, you must have come across the sun and moon Arabic letters.
I remember very vividly the time that I was taught them—how confused I was. You should not be afraid because I will not put you through what I have gone through. I shall make it simple for you as much as possible. Then let’s start.
Sun and Moon Arabic Letters
The Arabic language, however, divided them into two divisions: Sun Letters (حروف شمسية) and Moon Letters (حروف قمرية).
This grouping affects the pronunciation of the definite article “ال” (al-) when it precedes a noun.
Sun Letters (حروف شمسية)
When the definite article “ال” (al-) is prefixed to a noun that has the quality of a sun letter, then the “ل” of “ال” is not pronounced. Instead, the first consonant of the substantive is doubled.
The sun letters are:
- ت (tāʾ)
- ث (thāʾ)
- د (dāl)
- ذ (dhāl)
- ر (rāʾ)
- ز (zāy)
- س (sīn)
- ش (shīn)
- ص (ṣād)
- ض (ḍād)
- ط (ṭāʾ)
- ظ (ẓāʾ)
- ل (lām)
- ن (nūn)
For example:
- الشمس (ash-shams) – the sun
- النور (an-nūr) – the light
Moon Letters (حروف قمرية)
When the definite article “ال” (al-) precedes a noun that starts with a moon letter, the “ل” (l) of “ال” is pronounced. The moon letters are:
- أ (alif)
- ب (bāʾ)
- ج (jīm)
- ح (ḥāʾ)
- خ (khāʾ)
- ع (ʿayn)
- غ (ghayn)
- ف (fāʾ)
- ق (qāf)
- ك (kāf)
- م (mīm)
- هـ (hāʾ)
- و (wāw)
- ي (yāʾ)
For example:
- القمر (al-qamar) – the moon
- البحر (al-baḥr) – the sea
This distinction helps in proper pronunciation and understanding of Arabic nouns with definite articles.
Why Are They Called Sun and Moon Letters?
The terms “sun letters” () and “moon letters” () are derived from the words “الشمس” (ash-shams, meaning “the sun”) and “القمر” (al-Qamar, meaning “the moon”), respectively.
These terms are based on how the definite article “ال” (al-) behaves when preceding these letters. Here’s the reasoning behind the naming:
Sun Letters (حروف شمسية)
The term is derived from the etymology of the pronunciation of the word “الشمس” (ash-shams).
Adding “ال” (al-) to “شمس” (shams) causes the assimilation of the “ل” (l) in “ال” into the “ش” (sh) so it is pronounced as “ash-shams” instead of “al-shams”.
This phenomenon of assimilation occurs with all sun letters.
Assimilation: The “ل” (l) sound of “ال” (al-) is not pronounced, and the initial consonant of the noun is doubled.
Example:
- الشمس (ash-shams) – the sun
- النجم (an-najm) – the star
Moon Letters (حروف قمرية)
Reason for the Name: The term “moon letters” comes from the pronunciation of the word “القمر” (al-qamar).
When “ال” (al-) is added to “قمر” (qamar), the “ل” (l) in “ال” is pronounced, resulting in “al-qamar.” This lack of assimilation occurs with all moon letters.
No Assimilation: The “ل” (l) sound of “ال” (al-) is pronounced, and the initial consonant of the noun is not doubled.
Example:
- القمر (al-Qamar) – the moon
- البحر (al-baḥr) – the sea
Such naming makes for a quite useful mnemonic to remember the rules of pronunciation for those two groups of letters.
Tips to Remember Sun and Moon Letters
Remembering which letters are sun letters and which are moon letters can be challenging at first, but here are some tips and mnemonics to help:
Mnemonic Phrases
1. Sun Letters (حروف شمسية):
Mnemonic Phrase: “Tell The Dog That Running Zebras See Shiny Stars To Dance Lazily Near”
Each initial in the phrase corresponds to a sun letter:
- T: ت (tāʾ)
- Th: ث (thāʾ)
- D: د (dāl)
- Th: ذ (dhāl)
- R: ر (rāʾ)
- Z: ز (zāy)
- S: س (sīn)
- Sh: ش (shīn)
- S: ص (ṣād)
- D: ض (ḍād)
- T: ط (ṭāʾ)
- Dh: ظ (ẓāʾ)
- L: ل (lām)
- N: ن (nūn)
2. Moon Letters (حروف قمرية):
Mnemonic Phrase: “A Big Giant Hippo Hops Over Quiet Koalas Munching Yummy Food Grown”
Each initial in the phrase corresponds to a moon letter:
- A: أ (alif)
- B: ب (bāʾ)
- G: ج (jīm)
- H: ح (ḥāʾ)
- Kh: خ (khāʾ)
- O: ع (ʿayn) (mnemonic deviation for easier memory)
- Q: غ (ghayn) (mnemonic deviation for easier memory)
- K: ف (fāʾ) (mnemonic deviation for easier memory)
- M: ق (qāf) (mnemonic deviation for easier memory)
- Y: ك (kāf) (mnemonic deviation for easier memory)
- F: م (mīm) (mnemonic deviation for easier memory)
- H: هـ (hāʾ) (mnemonic deviation for easier memory)
- W: و (wāw) (mnemonic deviation for easier memory)
- Y: ي (yāʾ) (mnemonic deviation for easier memory)
Visual Aids
3. Grouping by Similar Sound or Shape:
- Notice that many sun letters involve the tongue touching the roof of the mouth (e.g., ت, د, ط).
- Group moon letters that look similar or have similar sounds together (e.g., ب, م, ف all involve the lips).
Practice and Repetition
- Flashcards: Create flashcards with the letters on one side and whether they are sun or moon letters on the other.
- Writing Practice: Write out words with the definite article “ال” and categorize them based on their pronunciation.
Apps and Resources
- Language Learning Apps: There are language learning apps, such as Duolingo, Memrise, or Anki, that have decks or courses in Arabic.
- Interactive Tools: Online quizzes and other interactive tools can provide feedback instantly.
Thus, aided by these mnemonics, along with practice and work with multiple learning devices, you will easily remember the letters of the sun and moon.
What Are the Sun and Moon Letters in the Quran?
Whereas the Arabic phonetics concept of sun and moon letters does not apply only to the Quran but applies to the Arabic language at large, some knowledge about them, however, would advance proper articulation and recitation of the Quran.
Examples from the Quran
Sun Letters
- الشمس (ash-shams):
Surah Ash-Shams (91:1): “وَالشَّمْسِ وَضُحَاهَا”
Translation: “By the sun and its brightness”
- النور (an-nūr):
Surah An-Nur (24:35): “اللَّهُ نُورُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ”
Translation: “Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth”
Moon Letters
- القمر (al-qamar):
Surah Al-Qamar (54:1): “اقْتَرَبَتِ السَّاعَةُ وَانشَقَّ الْقَمَرُ
Translation: “The Hour has come near, and the moon has split [in two]”
- البحر (al-baḥr):
Surah Al-Baqarah (2:50): “وَإِذْ فَرَقْنَا بِكُمُ الْبَحْرَ فَأَنجَيْنَاكُمْ
Translation: “And [recall] when We parted the sea for you and saved you”
Knowing these rules and observing the correct pronunciation can help in reciting the Quran properly, thus preserving the linguistic beauty along with the meanings intended in the scripture.
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