Application of Braille in Quranic and Sunnah Studies (QAA4013) 8 th Lecture (24 th Feb 2009) Dr. Muhammad Mustaqim Mohd Zarif Director, Centre for General Studies Islamic Science University of Malaysia

Structure of Presentation Some Issues Concerning the Transcription of Quranic Braille

Method of writing ( أ ) in Quranic Braille - In Arabic language, both ( أ ) and ( إ ) are used in writing. - Even in Arabic Language Braille Code, these symbols are used when needed. - However, in Quranic Braille as developed by PERTIS, only ( أ )- Dot 3,4 is used. The other sign ( إ ) 4,6 is NOT used at all.

As such, how to write ( إ ) in Quranic Braille??? Use ( أ ) for all- fathah, kasrah, dammah Only the harakat after ( أ ) will determine the sound of ( أ ). Example:

الإسلام (بالكسرة) الأعلى (بالفتحة) الأمم (بالضمة) ● ○ ○ ● ○ ○ ● ○ ○ ● ○ ● ○ ○ ● ○ ○ ●● ○ ○ ● ○ ● ○ ● ○ ● ○ ○ ●

● ○ ○ ● ○ ○ ● ○ ○ ● ○ ● ○ ○ ● ○ ○ ● ○ ● ○ ● ○ ● ○ ○ ● ● ○

○ ● ○ ○ ● ○ ○ ● ○ ● ○ ○ ● ● ● ○ ○ ● ○ ○ ● ○ ○ ● ● ○ ○ ● ○ ○ ●

Fawasil (end of ayat) Sign - Use Dots ( ) directly (no space) after the ayat & followed by the ayat number. - Basmalah is not given a number EXCEPT in al-Fatihah, where it must be numbered as 1. - Why? Basmalah is part of al-Fatihah…

Idgham Kamil sign in the Quran (rasm Uthmani) is not usually written. Certain tajwid signs are also not written in Quranic Braille. Examples:

Madd signs in huruf al-jarr are not usually written in Quranic Braille.

How to write the following words? ءامنوا الذين إلا القرءان

The Problem of Fathah Ishba’iyyah vs Alif. - Many words in Arabic are spelt using Alif in the middle of the words. - However, in Quran, this Alif is usually omitted (mahzuf) & changed with fathah ishba’iyyah

- So, in writing Quranic Braille what should be used? Is it fathah ishba’iyyah as used in ordinary Quran or is it Alif as used in writing Arabic Language?? - Examples of these words: Jama’ mudhakkar salim, jama’ mu’annas salim, ism fa’il, etc

If the word originally has Alif in Arabic, then use Alif and not fathah ishba’iyyah. Fathah ishba’iyyah is used to indicate madd other than huruf madd asli (alif, waw, ya). It is also used when alif meets madd sign in one huruf. Example:

Thank You