The Arabic definite article "Al" (الـ) contains a Laam that follows one of two rules depending on the letter that comes after it. When the Laam is pronounced clearly, it is called Laam Qamariyyah (لام قمرية), or "Moon Laam," named after the word Al-Qamar (القمر, the moon). When the Laam merges into the following letter and is not pronounced, it is called Laam Shamsiyyah (لام شمسية), or "Sun Laam," named after the word Ash-Shams (الشمس, the sun).
The 14 Qamariyyah letters are grouped in the phrase: ابغ حجك وخف عقيمه — these are: ا، ب، غ، ح، ج، ك، و، خ، ف، ع، ق، ي، م، ه. When "Al" is followed by any of these letters, the Laam is pronounced clearly. For example: الكتاب (Al-Kitaab), القمر (Al-Qamar), الحمد (Al-Hamd).
The remaining 14 Shamsiyyah letters are: ت، ث، د، ذ، ر، ز، س، ش، ص، ض، ط، ظ، ل، ن. When "Al" is followed by any of these letters, the Laam is assimilated (merged) into the following letter, which then receives a shaddah. For example: الشمس becomes Ash-Shams, النّاس becomes An-Naas, الرّحمن becomes Ar-Rahmaan.
Beyond the definite article, there is also the Laam of the verb (لام الفعل) and the Laam of command (لام الأمر). The Laam of the verb is always pronounced clearly (ith-haar), regardless of the letter that follows it. For example: قُلْ نَعَمْ — the Laam in "Qul" is pronounced clearly even though it is followed by a noon. Our lessons provide detailed examples and drills for each type of Laam to build your confidence.