Dr. Muhammad Mustaqim Mohd Zarif Application of Braille in Quranic and Sunnah Studies (QAA4013) 7th Lecture (17th Feb 2009) Dr. Muhammad Mustaqim Mohd Zarif Director, Centre for General Studies Islamic Science University of Malaysia

Structure of Presentation Differences Between Kod Braille Wasilah Bacaan al-Quran and Quranic Braille Code Used by PERTIS PERTIS’ Quranic Braille Code (cont.) Some Examples in Transcribing Quranic Verses into Braille

Differences Between Kod Braille Wasilah Bacaan al-Quran and Quranic Braille Code Used by PERTIS In terms of usage: DBP: Has never been used before. Just exist in theory. But possible might be used in the future subject to govt intervention PERTIS: Is widely used in Malaysia. Its Quran is the only Quranic Braille endorsed & approved by JAKIM

2. In terms of Code Used: DBP: Uses Jawi/Arabic Braille + Its own sets of contractions (GRADE 2) PERTIS: Uses GRADE 1 Arabic Language only

Example:

● ● ○ ○ Kod Braille Wasilah: PERTIS: ● ○ ○ ○ ○ ● ● ●

3. In terms of Structure: DBP: Has its own rules. Characterized by 5 main features concerning the use of harakat (reading signs), word signs (‘alamat al-kalimah), and contractions. PERTIS: No contractions and combinations of signs are used. Each character used its own individual symbol.

Examples: 1) DBP: Does not use fathah. Every huruf without sign means fathah. PERTIS: Must use fathah.

2). DBP:. Uses combinations of. reading signs: fathah + 2) DBP: Uses combinations of reading signs: fathah + sukun, kasrah + shaddah, etc PERTIS: No combination of reading signs. Each sign must be represented individually. i.e., fathah, shaddah, sukun, etc

3). DBP:. Use of certain symbols does not 3) DBP: Use of certain symbols does not conform with international symbols used in writing Quranic Braille. Example: Fathah Ishba‘iyyah ذلك ○ ○ ● ○ 2 Kasrah Ishba‘iyyah رسله ○ ● ● ● 4 5 / 2 3 & 6 Dammah Ishba‘iyyah له ، أمره 4 5 6 / 2 3 & 6

PERTIS: Use of symbols conforms with international usage (in general). Fathah Ishba‘iyyah ذلك ○ ● ○ ○ 4 Kasrah Ishba‘iyyah رسله 4 & 5 Dammah Ishba‘iyyah له ، أمره ● ● 3 & 4 6

4). DBP:. Uses specific & separate. signs for madd asli (alif: dots 4) DBP: Uses specific & separate signs for madd asli (alif: dots 1, waw: dots 12456, ya: dots 246) PERTIS: Huruf al-Madd uses its own huruf (alif/waw/ya) & written without sign (tashkil) to indicate madd asli

5). DBP:. Madd Lazim Harfi: No sign. given. Just spell the words. i. e 5) DBP: Madd Lazim Harfi: No sign given. Just spell the words. i.e. Yasin, etc PERTIS: Madd Lazim Harfi must be spelt & given signs of Madd Far’i (246)

6). DBP:. Does not differentiate. between Alif Lam 6) DBP: Does not differentiate between Alif Lam Shamsiyyah & Alif Lam Qamariyyah. All use: Dots (1,4) Al-Babu: Dots 1, 4 (alif lam) + ba Al-Layl: Dots 1, 4 (alif lam) + Lam

PERTIS: Highlight the difference between Shamsiyyah & Qamariyyah. Example: Alif Lam Shamsiyyah: Alif + Lam + Shaddah Alif Lam Qamariyyah: Alif + Lam + Sukun

7). DBP:. Different symbols used for. waqaf signs. Must use (dots 7) DBP: Different symbols used for waqaf signs. Must use (dots 23 56) before & after to indicate the sign. PERTIS: Different symbols used for waqaf signs. Must use (dots 3 6) before & after to indicate the sign.

PERTIS’ Quranic Braille Code (cont.) Special Sign (Dots 3 6): to indicate certain symbols used afterwards ○ ○ ● ●

○ ● ● ○ Signs for Madd Far’i: a. Madd Far’i- > 2 harakats (dots 2 4 6) ○ ● ● ○

Example:

● ○ ○ ○ ● ● ○ ●

Signs for Madd Far’i: b. Madd Sign 3 4 5 (beginning of word) ○ ● ● ○

○ ○ ● ● How to put a number after an ayat? - Use a special sign (dots 2 3 5 6) directly after the ayat ○ ○ ● ●

Formula: (2 3 5 6) + (waqaf sign if any) <space> (number sign 3 4 5 6) + (a/b/c/d, etc)

Example:

○ ● ○ ○ ● ○ ● ● ○ ● ● ● ● ○ ○ ○

Some Examples in Transcribing Quranic Verses into Braille

● ○ ○ ● ○ ○ ● ●

The problems of Hamzah in the middle of kalimah: Look at the origin of the word. If the origin (fi’l madhi) has alif, then must use (Dots 3 4). If not, then use (Dots 1 3 4 5 6).

Thank You