Ever wondered why sometimes Hamza is written on a yaa’ ئ, sometimes on a waw ؤ, and other times it’s floating on a line ء? This is one of the trickiest parts of Arabic spelling — but once you understand the logic, it becomes second nature!

This lesson breaks down:

• What is Hamza?
• How to write Hamza in the middle of a word
• How to write Hamza at the end
• How to deal with Tanween when it comes to Hamza

Writing Hamza in the Middle (Hamza Mutawassiṭa الهمزة المتوسطة)

The rule is based on the short vowel before the hamza:

• Kasra (ِ) → Write it on yaa’ (ئ)
• Fatha (َ) → Write it on alif (أ)
• Ḍamma (ُ) → Write it on waw (ؤ)
• Sukoon or after alif → Write it on the line (ء)

Writing Hamza at the End (Hamza Mutaṭarrifa الهمزة المتطرفة)

Similar vowel rules apply:

• Kasra before → yaa’ (ئ)
• Fatha before → alif (أ)
• Ḍamma before → waw (ؤ)
• Sukoon/alif before → standalone (ء)

Special Case: Tanween on Final Hamza

Final Hamza with tanween (تنوين) has some extra conditions depending on the preceding letter:

• Ḍammah/kasra tanween → Goes directly on the Hamza
• Fatha tanween:
  • After alif: Place tanween above Hamza
  • After non-connecting letter: Add a separate alif after the Hamza
  • After connecting letter: Place tanween on the Hamza and add a connected alif

Sounds confusing? It’s much easier with examples — and we go over them all in the video!