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Question

My mosque teacher said to me the other day that it is really bad to pronounce Arabic words wrong, but living in England we are so not used to reading in the way Arabic people do. So my question is would you please send me something to my email address that can tell me how to pronounce some of the main Arabic letters. Thank you.

Answer

Your mosque teacher is correct, may Allah reward them. It takes dua’, practice, patience, and a teacher, but non-Arabs can learn to pronounce the Arabic letters correctly.  If you would be so kind as to look at the tidbit archives, you will find a description of how each of the Arabic letters are pronounced.  The second through the 12th lessons are about the articulation points of the letters.  If we were to send them to you, they would be the exact same lessons.  If you still would like them sent to you by email, please write us again with the request.  There would be 11 different attachments using MS Word. 

You may want to find a book on tajweed that would explain the articulation points of the letters.  There are two that we know of in English, “A Brief Introduction to Tajweed in the English Language”, by Umm Muhammed, and Tajweed Rules of the Qur’an, by K. Czerepinski.  Both books are available through different online stores including Message of Islam, which is based in England.  The first book, “A brief Introduction to Tajweed” would be appropriate for beginners, the second book, “Tajweed Rules of the Qur’an” more appropriate for someone wanting to study tajweed more intensely. 

Practice with a tape of a good Qur’an reciter and practice with your mosque teacher.  Insha’ Allah you will succeed in learning the proper pronunciation for all the Arabic letters.