Lecturer from the Department of Creed Publishes a Scientific Study on Correcting the Pronunciation of the Letter Ḍād

Assistant Lecturer Zaid Karim Jassim, a faculty member in the Department of Creed and Islamic Thought at the College of Islamic Sciences, University of Samarra, has recently published a scientific research paper entitled “Guiding Worshippers to the Correct Pronunciation of the Letter Ḍād.” The study was published in Al-Farabi Iraqi Academic Scientific Journal.

The research aimed to produce a verified scholarly edition of the manuscript Irshād al-ʿIbād ilā Taṣḥīḥ al-Ḍād according to established principles of manuscript authentication. It also sought to revive Arabic linguistic heritage and highlight the efforts of classical scholars in addressing issues related to the correct pronunciation of Arabic letters, particularly the articulation and phonetic characteristics of the letter Ḍād, as discussed by scholars of tajwīd and Arabic linguistics.

The study further clarified areas of confusion between the letter Ḍād and similar letters such as Ẓā’ and Lām, explaining the phonetic distinctions among them. It contributes to Arabic phonetic studies by providing scholarly material that assists researchers and readers in improving correct pronunciation.

The research concluded with several important findings, including that the letter Ḍād possesses distinctive phonetic qualities such as istiṭālah (elongation), istiʿlāʾ (elevation), iṭbāq (emphatic closure), and jahr (voicing). It also noted that many speakers find the pronunciation of Ḍād difficult due to its phonetic proximity to other letters, which often leads to confusion between Ḍād, Ẓā’, or Lām. The study emphasized the necessity of continuous practice and articulation training to master its correct pronunciation. It also highlighted the historical attention given by scholars of Arabic linguistics and Qur’anic recitation to accurately regulating the pronunciation of Ḍād, considering it essential for correct recitation and linguistic precision.