Hamzat al-Wasl

What does Hamzat al-Wasl mean?

Hamzat al-Wasl (همزة وصل): the joining hamzah

A connecting hamza (ٱ), pronounced when the recitation begins on its word but dropped when it is joined to the previous word in continuous recitation.

Hamzat al-Wasl: when does it apply?

At the start of a word, on the alif topped with a small sign (ٱ), as in “al”.

How to pronounce Hamzat al-Wasl

If you begin on this word, say the hamzah; if you come from the word before, pass without it.

The gesture

When joining, carry the sound immediately before the waslah straight into the rest of the word, without a fresh throat attack.

Avoid

Do not pronounce the hamzat al-wasl after a previous word or an attached prefix. But do not forget it when the recitation begins at that word.

The condition

Hamzat al-wasl is pronounced if recitation starts at the word carrying it. After a previous word or attached prefix, move directly to the rest of the word.

Hamzat al-Wasl: common mistakes

What is often heard, and how to fix it. The ▶ plays the right model, recited by al-Husary.

1. Saying it when coming from the word before: when joining, it drops and the voice goes straight on.

   The right model · Al-'Asr 103:2

2. Starting the word on the vowelless letter after it: a recitation never starts on a sukūn; the hamza is said.

   The right model · Al-Fatiha 1:6

3. Always starting with “a”: it starts with “u” if the verb’s third letter carries an original ḍamma, with “i” otherwise, and with “a” for the article.

   The right model · Qaf 50:34

4. Keeping the vowel before long when the next word starts with hamzat al-waṣl: when joining, it becomes short, even though the Mushaf writes it.

   The right model · Al-'Asr 103:3

Hamzat al-Wasl in numbers

Counted on the text of the Madani Mushaf (Hafs reading).