Lesson 2: Vowels & Harakat
Arabic Vowels — Harakat (الحركات)
Arabic short vowels are written as small marks above or below letters. They are called harakat. In the Quran, all words are fully vowelized, making it easier to read correctly.
The Three Short Vowels
بَ
Fatha (فتحة) — a small line above the letter. Produces the "a" sound.
Example: بَ = "ba"
بِ
Kasra (كسرة) — a small line below the letter. Produces the "i" sound.
Example: بِ = "bi"
بُ
Damma (ضمة) — a small loop above the letter. Produces the "u" sound.
Example: بُ = "bu"
Sukun — The Absence of a Vowel
A small circle (°) above a letter called sukun (سكون) indicates the letter has no vowel — it is "resting". Example: بْ = "b" (no vowel).