Common Quran Reading Struggles for Converts (And How to Fix Them)
Does the Arabic script look like impossible scribbles? You are not alone. Every new Muslim faces these specific hurdles. Here is how to overcome them.
It feels like “Rewiring Your Brain”
Learning Arabic is different from learning Spanish or French. It’s a Semitic language with a different logic. If you feel like your brain is doing gymnastics, that means you are learning!
The 4 Biggest Pain Points
1. Right-to-Left Disorientation
Your eyes naturally want to scan left-to-right. This causes you to skip letters or read words backward.
2. The “Dot” Confusion
Ba, Ta, Tha, Noon, Ya… they all look like boats or hooks. The only difference is the dots.
Ba has 1 dot Below.
Noon has 1 dot in the Nest (top).
3. The Throat Sounds (Ayn/Ha)
English doesn’t use the middle of the throat. Producing ‘Ayn’ (ع) feels impossible and sometimes hurts.
4. Vowel Invisibility
Arabic texts often omit short vowels. You see consonants but don’t know if it’s “Ki-ta-b” or “Ku-tu-b”.
A Note on “Imposter Syndrome”
You might think: “I’m reciting so badly, maybe I shouldn’t read at all.”
Remember, the angels record your effort, not just your result. Every stutter is a reward. You are not an imposter; you are a student of the Divine.