Rules for Writing Hamza

Ways in Which a Hamza can be Written

Hamza is written in one of four ways:

· by itself on the line, as in جاءَ

· on a ياء, as in سُئِلَ

· on a واو, as in سُؤال

· on an الف, as in سَأَلَ

In order to learn the rules that govern which of these forms will be used, we consider the Hamza as it appears in the beginning of a word, at the end, and in the middle. But note that these rules may have exceptions and this is merely a guideline or rule of thumb.

Word Initial

1. The Hamza will always be written on an الف. This is despite the vowel on it and despite any preceding particles (like the definite article, conjunctions, etc).

Examples
والإِسْتِقْرار	إِقامة	أُقيمَ	أَقامَ

Word Internal

To facilitate the learning of these rules, consider the following hierarchy of vowels in the language:

Priority Low	Priority Medium	Priority High
فتحة	و or ضمة	ي or كسرة

1. If the Hamza is preceded and or followed by ياء or كسرة, it’s written on a ياء.

Examples
لُـئَيْم	سُئِلَ	هَيْـئَة	جِئْتُ

2. If there is no ياء or كسرة in the vicinity, then if the Hamza is preceded and or followed by واو or ضمة, it’s written on a واو.

Examples
تَـؤَوَّلَ	يَؤُم	اِسْتَوْؤَرَ *	بُـؤْس

3. If there are none of those vowels in the vicinity, then if the Hamza is preceded and or followed by الف or فتحة, it’s written on an الف.

Examples
رَأَى	*	رَأْس

* When a Hamza has (is followed by) a فتحة and is preceded by a long vowel الف or واو, it is written on the line:

Examples
مُرُوْءَة	جاءَت

There are plenty of exceptions. Consider, for example:

رَأَوْا

The rules tell us to use a واو for the Hamza, but it uses an الف. It is better to simply memorize the case for each new word one encounters. And this is how most students approach this.

Word Final

1. The Hamza will be written on the line if it is preceded by a سكون (this includes long vowels and diphthongs).