Dr. Muhammad Mustaqim Mohd Zarif Application of Braille in Quranic and Sunnah Studies (QAA4013) 5th Lecture (3rd Feb 2009) Dr. Muhammad Mustaqim Mohd Zarif Director, Centre for General Studies Islamic Science University of Malaysia

Structure of Presentation Quranic Braille Code Grade 1 (Addenda & Corrigenda) Kod Braille Wasilah Bacaan al-Quran: Objectives of the Committee Characteristics & Structure Methods Examples

Quranic/Arabic Braille Code Grade 1 Addenda & Corrigenda . إ ، ?

Kod Braille Wasilah Bacaan al-Quran This code is a result of more than 20 years of efforts by the MOE. It was developed by a special Committee consisting more than 30 individuals It is the only systematic & formal code for Quranic Braille developed in Malaysia The code was published by DBP in 1998 under the title of Kod Braille Wasilah Bacaan al-Quran. However, it is difficult to obtain this book in the open market.

Objectives of the Committee To provide an easy, systematic tool for correct & structured reading of al-Quran To minimize the use of time & spaces needed to write & read Braille To reduce the number & size of Quranic Braille To provide a cost effective Quranic Braille & increase its mobility

Characteristics & Structure It is the only system for Quranic Braille that is based on Grade 2 Braille. Apart from using the symbols for the basic Arabic alphabets (based on the Grade 1 Arabic Braille), this code is characterized by the following features:

A) Introduction of reading signs (harakat) in 5 different aspects:

1) Basic signs of kasrah, dammah, sukun, shaddah Fathah ○ ○ ● ○ 2 Kasrah ○ ● 1 & 5 Dammah ● ● 1 3 & 6 Sukun 2 & 5 Shaddah 6

Fathah sign is not used in Quranic. writing Fathah sign is not used in Quranic writing. Any character (huruf) with this sign is represented solely by the huruf (as in the case of ordinary Jawi writing). Example: و and not وَ

Combination of reading signs: harakat + sukun, such as fathah sukun, kasrah sukun & dammah sukun ● ○ ○ ● 1 3 & 5 Kasrah + sukun ● ● 1 2 3 & 4 Dammah + sukun ○ ○ 3 & 4 6

4) Combination of reading signs: harakat with shaddah, such as fathah shaddah, kasrah shaddah & dammah shaddah Fathah + shaddah ○ ○ ● ○ 2 3 Kasrah + shaddah ○ ● 2 & 6 Dammah + shaddah ● ● 2 3 & 6

5) Introduction of reading signs (tanwin), such as fathatayn, kasratayn, dammatayn ○ ○ ● ● 2 & 5 Fathatayn + Alif ○ ● 3 & 4 6 Kasratayn ● ○ 3 & 5 Dammatayn 2 & 6

Introduction & application of alphabet (kalimah) signs such as huruf madd, huruf ishba’iyyah, etc 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

Hamzah + Madd Shaddah more than 2 harakat at the beginning of word Madd Asli (Alif) ما ، قال ● ○ ○ ○ 1 Madd Asli (Waw) ذو ، هود ، يولد ● ● ○ ● 1 2 & 4 5 6 Madd Asli (Waw Jama‘) كلوا واشربوا 1 & 4 Madd Asli (Ya) إني ، يهدي ، رحيم 2 & 4 6 Hamzah + Madd Shaddah more than 2 harakat at the beginning of word ءآلله ، ءآمين ، ءآلذكرين 3 & 4 5

c) The use of signs for certain characters (huruf) 1) ال (if at the beginning of a word) 2) الله (if stand-alone) ● ● ○ ○ 1 & 4 أن (stand-alone) أنـ (if part of a word) ○ ● 1 2 & 4 5 6 ون (Jama‘ Mudhakkar Salim & others) ○ ○ ● ● 2 3 & 5 6

بعد رب عذاب هؤلآء d) The use of contractions for certain words ○ ● ○ ○ 4 / 1 2 رب ● ● 4 / 1 2 3 & 5 عذاب 4 / 1 2 3 & 5 6 هؤلآء 4 5 6 / 1 2 & 5

Repetition of some words in the Quran has led to the formation of contractions in this Code. A total of 117 contractions are introduced in the Code. These contractions are based on some commonly repeated words in the Quran Thus, ordinary characters (Grade 1) is mixed with contractions throughout the Code.

In addition, certain waqaf signs are also introduced, such as: قلى Waqaf Aula ○ ● ○ ○ ● ○ ● ● 4 / 1 2 3 & 6 م Waqaf Lazim 4 5 / 1 2 3 & 6 لا Waqaf Mamnu‘ 4 5 6 / 1 2 3 & 6 ج Waqaf Ja’iz 5 6 / 1 2 3 & 6

... ... Waqaf Mu‘anah ○ ○ ○ ● ● ○ ● ● 6 / 1 2 3 & 6 صلى Wasal Aula 5 / 1 2 3 & 6 س Saktah sign 2 3 & 4 ﯢ Hizb sign 1 & 5 6

Methods of Writing Like ordinary Braille, Quranic Braille is written from left to right. Each juz’ of the Quran should be written on a new page. The content of the juz should be written on the first page of a new juz’.

Information regarding the place of revelation (ie makkah, madinah) & number of ayat should be written on the first page of a new surah. This information is distinguished from the text by a long line made by pressing dots 1 & 4 continuously …………………………………………………..

Every page of the Quran must contain the following information: i. Page number of the original Quran (left) ii. Braille page number (right) Number of Juz & name of surah should be written at the centre & underlined using dots 1 &4. xxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxx ……………..

Hizb sign should be put after the number of ayat. If a line has one ayat, it should be preceded with dots 2 & 5 in the first cell. If a line has 2 or more ayats, it should be preceded with dots 2 3 & 4 5 6. Every line should not contain more than 32 Braille cells.

Each line should be written from the third cell (like a tab). Ayat number should be written at the end of an ayat. It must be spaced from the ayat & the next ayat. Every word must be completed on one line.

In writing Quranic Braille, the character (huruf) must precede its reading sign (harakah & sukun), example: ○ ● ○ ○ ● ○ ● ●

However, if the huruf contains shaddah, then it must precede the huruf However, if the huruf contains shaddah, then it must precede the huruf. It should be written as follows: ○ ● ● ○ ○ ○ ● ●

Madd Lazim Harfi is not given any sign (harakat) Madd Lazim Harfi is not given any sign (harakat). Just use its huruf only. Example: ● ○ ○ ○ ● ●

Quotation signs used are (2 3 & 5 6): Waqaf signs are put within quotation signs: “ ”. It must be spaced from the words before but must be put together with the following words. Quotation signs used are (2 3 & 5 6): Waqaf sign ○ ○ ● ● “ ○ ○ ● ● ”

Examples ● ○ ○ ○ ● ● ○ ●

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Thank You