Dhaad in the Arabic Alphabet
by Qari Ismail Abdul-Aziz, Faculty of the Qur'aanic Sciences, www.ask-imam.com
The most difficult letter to pronounce in the Arabic alphabet is the letter ‘dhaad’. The reason for this is that more effort and concentration is required when pronouncing this letter in comparison to other letters. Other letters are pronounced very easily from their places of origination; however, for the letter ‘dhaad’, the tongue has to be positioned in a specific manner, etc. for it to be pronounced.
In the past and upto today, many people have recited the letter ‘Dhaad’ in Surah Faatiha and other places in many incorrect ways, e.g. some recited it as a ‘zhaal’, some as ‘daal’ also a full mouth ‘daal’, some as ‘zwaa’, etc. All these methods are totally incorrect.
Before explaining the correct method of pronounciation, a few points should be understood:
- Place of origination of ‘Dhaad’ in the mouth is when the side of the tongue touches roots of the molars and pre-molars.
- Place of origination of ‘Zwa’ in the mouth is when the tip of the tongue touches the edge of the top two front teeth.
- Place of origination of ‘Daal’ in the mouth is when the tip of the tongue touches the roots of the top two front teeth.
From the above, it is understood that each of these letters are different from each other, and to read anyone in place of the other is totally incorrect and in some cases may change the meaning which will lead to nullifying one’s Salaat.
The correct way of pronouncing the letter ‘Dhaad’ is to put the side of the tongue at roots of the molars and pre-molars. However, while pronouncing it, the tip of the tongue should not touch the edge of the front teeth. So, it is recited like a zwa and wor, should you put the side of the tongue very hard on the roots of the molars and pre-molars so that it is not recited like a daal. It should be in between a daal and zwa.
and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best