# Hamzatul wasl (connecting hamza) (هَمْزَة الْوَصْل)

Hamzatul wasl (ٱ) is pronounced only when you begin a word with it; when you join it to the word before, it is dropped.

## Definition

The alif with a small wasla sign (ٱ) is a “connecting” hamza. At the start of a recitation, or after a pause, it is read with a vowel: a fatha in the article “al-”, a kasra in most nouns and verbs (ٱسْم, ٱهْدِنَا), and a damma when the third letter of the verb carries a damma (ٱنظُرُوا۟ is read with a damma). When you continue from the previous word it is not pronounced at all.

## How to pronounce

1. Joining: read the previous word and the next without the hamza (bismillāh ir-raḥmān, not bismillāhi ʾar-raḥmān).
2. Starting: give it the right opening vowel (fatha in “al-”, kasra or damma in verbs and nouns).

## Examples from the Quran

- أَمَّا مَنِ ٱسْتَغْنَىٰ  ('Abasa 80:5): As for he who thinks himself without need, — https://holy-quran-noor.vercel.app/surah/abasa/5
- ٱلْجَوَارِ ٱلْكُنَّسِ  (At-Takwir 81:16): Those that run [their courses] and disappear [i.e., set] — https://holy-quran-noor.vercel.app/surah/at-takwir/16
- وَٱلَّيْلِ وَمَا وَسَقَ  (Al-Inshiqaq 84:17): And [by] the night and what it envelops — https://holy-quran-noor.vercel.app/surah/al-inshiqaq/17
- ٱلنَّجْمُ ٱلثَّاقِبُ  (At-Tariq 86:3): It is the piercing star — https://holy-quran-noor.vercel.app/surah/at-tariq/3
- وَٱلَّيْلِ إِذَا يَسْرِ  (Al-Fajr 89:4): And [by] the night when it passes, — https://holy-quran-noor.vercel.app/surah/al-fajr/4

## Common mistakes

- Pronouncing the hamza in the middle of a continuous recitation.
- Starting a verb with the wrong vowel.

## FAQ

**What is the difference between hamzatul wasl and hamzatul qat‘?** Hamzatul qat‘ (ء أ إ) is always pronounced; hamzatul wasl (ٱ) is pronounced only at the start.

**How is it coloured in the app?** Grey, as a silent letter when joined.

## Related

- [Lam shamsiyyah & lam qamariyyah](https://holy-quran-noor.vercel.app/learn/tajweed/lam-shamsiyyah-qamariyyah)
- [Waqf signs (stopping marks)](https://holy-quran-noor.vercel.app/learn/tajweed/waqf-signs)
- [Natural madd (madd asli)](https://holy-quran-noor.vercel.app/learn/tajweed/madd-natural)

Cite: Hamzatul wasl (connecting hamza). Noor Quran. https://holy-quran-noor.vercel.app/learn/tajweed/hamzatul-wasl

Canonical: https://holy-quran-noor.vercel.app/learn/tajweed/hamzatul-wasl