🔤 Qur'anic Arabic · Step 1 of 8
What is a root?
Most Arabic words grow from a root of three letters. Learn the root, and you can recognise many words at once.
In Arabic, a few letters carry a basic meaning, and words are built around them. The letters ح م د (ḥ-m-d) carry the idea of praise. From them come al-ḥamd (praise), Muḥammad (the one much praised), Aḥmad (most praising) and maḥmūd (praised).
When you meet a new word in the Qur'an, look for its three root letters: often you already know a word from the same root.
One root, many words: k-t-b (writing)
The same root in Al-Faatiḥah
Al-ḥamd: all praise. Root ح م د.
✅ Check yourself
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What idea do the letters ḥ-m-d carry?
Show the answer
Praise.