Look at the Lam, then at the letter after it. Two small clues tell you exactly how to read “Al”.

لHighlighted Lam = say it clearlyلFaded Lam = silent

Every Arabic letter is either a Moon or a Sun letter. Each tile shows a real word; press the speaker to hear it.

X-ray a word: what you see on the page, and what you actually say.

• Moon Lam (clear)

  You see

  ٱلْقَمَرُ

  You say (syllables)

  • ٱلْ
  • قَ
  • مَ
  • رُ

  Al-Qamaru

  The Moon — The Lam carries a visible Sukun (لْ) and is pronounced clearly before ق.

• Moon Lam (clear)

  You see

  ٱلْكِتَابُ

  You say (syllables)

  • ٱلْ
  • كِ
  • تَا
  • بُ

  Al-Kitaabu

  The Book — Your tongue tip touches the gums behind the upper front teeth for a clear Lam (لْ).

• Moon Lam (clear)

  You see

  ٱلْعَلِيمُ

  You say (syllables)

  • ٱلْ
  • عَ
  • لِي
  • مُ

  Al-‘Aleemu

  The All-Knowing — ع is one of the 14 Moon letters (إِبْغِ حَجَّكَ وَخَفْ عَقِيمَهُ), so the Lam is pronounced clearly.

• Sun Lam (silent + doubled)

  You see

  ٱلشَّمْسُ

  You say (syllables)

  • ٱشْ
  • شَمْ
  • سُ

  Ash-Shamsu

  The Sun — The Sun Lam is written but not pronounced. Jump straight from the Alif to the doubled Sheen (شّ).

• Sun Lam (silent + doubled)

  You see

  ٱلرَّحْمَٰنُ

  You say (syllables)

  • ٱرْ
  • رَحْ
  • مَٰ
  • نُ

  Ar-Rahmaanu

  The Most Merciful — The silent Lam merges into the doubled Ra (رّ): say Ar-Rahmaanu, never Al-Rahmaanu.

• Sun Lam (silent + doubled)

  You see

  ٱلنَّاسُ

  You say (syllables)

  • ٱنْ
  • نَا
  • سُ

  An-Naasu

  Mankind — Silent Sun Lam, plus a 2-beat nasal Ghunnah on the Noon Shaddah (نّ).

Read the word, then choose: is the Lam a Moon Lam or a Sun Lam? Tip: look at the letter after the Lam.