Islamic Online University

Islamic Online University
Introduction to Qurnic Arabic Level 1
Islamic
Online
University
Introduction to
Qurnic Arabic
Level 1
By Masood Ahmed Ranginwala
Module 3a and 3b
http://www.islamiconlineuniversity.com
Introduction to Arabic Grammar:The Arabic Word ][

I. The Four Characteristics of Arabic Nouns []
1. An Ism can be typically described as an Arabic noun. In this text, the term noun will be
synonymous with Ism.
2. It can be a person, place, object, adjective, verbal noun, or action (e.g. murder, anger).
3. Every Arabic Noun has four characteristics
i.
I'rb [
] - Case or inflection (grammatically known as nominative, accusative, or
genitive).
a) [ ] Raf (nominative)
b) [
]Nab (accusative)
c) [
] Jarr (genitive)
ii.
[ ] Number/plurality (single, dual, or plural)
iii.
[
]Gender (masculine or feminine)
iv.
[
]Definiteness (indefinite or definite)
Only nouns carry these four characteristics: Verbs and Particles have different rules and are
discussed later.
Knowing the four characteristics of a noun allows one to determine the "state" or inflection of the
word in a yah of the Qurn, or in a typical Arabic sentence. This is known as I'rb.
II. I'rb []
The I'rb of a noun points to the specific grammatical role that it has in a sentence. For example, in a verbal
sentence, the word that takes the Irb of Raf is identified as the Subject, while a word in the Nab case is
identified as the direct object of the verb. A word with the Irb of Jarr is either associated with a preposition or
functions in a role of possession. To determine the Irb of a noun, we need to examine the inflection on its last
letter. In order to do this, we first need to determine the other three qualities of the respective word, such as its
gender, plurality, and definiteness. We then examine the nouns ending vowel, and then subsequently determine
its Irb. Please note that verbs can also have Irb, but this in discussed later on the section on verbs. A better
understanding of Irb and inflection of Arabic words will be achieved by looking at the following examples and
principles presented in this Lesson.
1. The Three Types of Irb (for Nouns)

i.
Raf (Nominative)
Subject in a Verbal Sentence.
Subject and Predicate in a Nominal sentence.
In Arabic, there are up to eight conditions in which a noun can take the Raf case.
Some of these conditions are examined in this first Volume, while others are
discussed in Volume 2.
ii.
Nab (Accusative)
iii.
Object in a Verbal Sentence.

Objects of certain particles [
] .
Adverbs denoting detail in a sentence [] .
In Arabic, please note that there are up to twelve conditions where a noun can
take the Nab case. Some of these conditions are examined in this first Volume,
while others are discussed in Volume 2.
Jarr (Genitive)
Can denote possession, typically the word after of [].

Objects of preposition
[
]
In Arabic, there are only two conditions in which a noun can take Jarr, which have
been listed above.
2. Determining Irb of Nouns

Determining the Irb of nouns is done by examining the vowel ending on the last letter. The ammah
vowel typically denotes the case of Raf. The Fatah vowel denotes the Nab case whereas the Kasrah vowel
denotes the Jarr case. Please note that nouns that are indefinite typically carry Tanwn, whereas nouns that
are definite do not carry Tanwn. Even though identifying the last vowel usually allows one to successfully
determine the Irb, this is not often the case. There are several exceptions, particularly if the noun is not
singular. At this point we are only beginning to analyze the Arabic noun and the concept of Irb.
] at the end of a noun denotes Raf.

[ ] at the end on a noun typically denotes Nab.
1. ammah [
2. Fatah
(Exceptions are the partially flexible nouns like [ ] and [] .
] at the end of a noun denotes Jarr.
3. Kasrah [
Exceptions are rare such as words like [ ]and [ ]era h ib f btob Raf
here.
3. Identifying Singularity, Plurality and Duality of Nouns

Arabic nouns can come in the singular, dual, or plural tense. The specific number that is reflected
by any word depends on its morphology, and/or its ending. Unlike English, Arabic words are also
found in the dual form. Furthermore, they have multiple plural patterns.
i.
/
Dual Nouns and their Structure [
A dual noun can be readily identified by looking at its ending. It typically carries one of two
-]. Any noun in the single form can be converted to the dual form by simply
endings, [ ] or [
adding one of the two ends above to the end of the word. The specific dual ending is based on its
-] ending denotes Jarr or Nab.
Irb. The ending [ ] denotes Raf, while the [
a)
b)

-] Nab or Jarr
[
[ ] Raf
Irb of Singular and Dual Nouns

Singular (Raf)
word
beloved
Muslim
eye
Singular
1
(Nab)
Singular
(Jarr)
Dual (Raf)
Dual (Nab/Jarr)
For indefinite nouns which have a double Fatah ending (Fatah with Tanwn), an extra Alif is placed at the ending letter. The exception is the T
and not []. This Alif denotes a Fatah Tanwn if Tashkl is not present. It also
Marbtah. For example, for the word [
in Nab is []
indicates that the Alif be pronounced if a stop is made at that letter, as opposed to no pronunciation of the last vowel if it is a ammah or Kasrah
Tanwn.
Last adth of a al-Bukhri : Two words beloved words to Ar-Ramn, that are light

] .

on the tongue, heavy on the scales, [

]

]

In looking at this adth, the highlighted words are all dual, but we also see that some words with the
[ ] ending are not dual. For example, the following words
[ ,
, , ]are all single.
This shows that several words in Arabic exist with an [ ] ending that are not dual, but these are
exceptions.
Q
2
a al-Bukhri, Chapter on Tawhd:
, adth #7124.

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Introduction to Qurnic Arabic Level 1