Alif
Notice the tall stroke between the two baa letters. Alif does not join to the next letter on its left. Do not confuse a long-vowel alif with a hamzah written on an alif.
ا
LETTER 1 OF 28
Recognize it. Read it. Return to it.
Compare the forms below, then identify the letter in the example.
اIsolated
اInitial
ـاMedial
ـاFinal
Forms reflect connections, not position alone. A letter after a joining break may use an isolated or initial shape.
Read an example
بَاب
door · a classroom vocabulary example
Practise on paper
- Copy the example and circle Alif.
- Compare ا with ب. Describe the difference you can see.
- Ask a teacher to model the word, then read it back for feedback.
YOUR TURN
Check your understanding
A practice record, not a qualification or a pronunciation assessment. Saved in this browser.
Joining reference: Madinah Arabic — connecting letters ↗. Letter-name audio reference ↗. Teaching cues and exercises are original.