Avoid Rote Spelling and Read Immediately

The basic principle of the Iqra Qaida is that students should start reading words fluently, and not sound out the individual letters and letters combinations while reading the words. In a traditional learning system the child may repeat “Alif-Lam-Meem”. This approach does not, however, go through that abstract formulation. Rather, it teaches your brain to jump straight to the pitch of the voice that has the same physical symbol. 

Build Visual Recognition Through Color Coding

New editions of the text use an outstanding colour system of four colours. Here color isn’t simply used for decoration but has a very important didactic function. Different colours are used for different letter groups, vowel extensions and nasal sounds. This results in a visual signaling dashboard for learners that is intuitive. The student does not stop to remember abstract definitions of the various colors, but simply determines the right modulation from the color scheme. 

Maintain Daily, Bite-Sized Sessions

Regular short study sessions are better than long strenuous ones. The brain learns new scripts most effectively when they are repeated over time, so short lessons of 15 minutes each, repeated every day will provide much better retention than a long two hour lesson on a single weekend. This way, it can prevent cognitive fatigue and ensure that the initial experience is enjoyable. 

Procedure to Memorize and Apply the Rules

It is important to have a systematic approach to ensure complete clarity, and to avoid confusing yourself with the length of vowels. Here is a step-by-step, chronological plan for the lessons found in the Iqra Qaida books. 

• Master Single Letters (Huroof-e-Mufridaat):

Begin by isolating each of the Arabic alphabets. Train just the point of articulation (Makhraj) of each individual letter. Make sure that you can tell the difference between letters that sound alike, such as ت (Ta) and ط (Taa). Wait until you can recognize all characters isolated without hesitation. 

• Introduce Connected Forms and Short Vowels

Connected Forms and Short Vowels.Teacher introduces the words: Connected Forms and Short VowelsUnderstand visually how characters change at the start, middle or end of a joined word. These are used in combination with the three most important short vowels: Fathah (Zabar), Kasrah (Zer), and Dammah (Pesha). Use very clear and brief vowel sounds. 

• Integrate Double Vowels and Sukoon

Use double vowels (known as Tanween) and the Sukoon symbol for a stop consonant (residing consonant). Practice smooth blending of letters without using any jerk or break in the voice. 

• Apply Elongations and Letter Doubling

Learn the Maddah letters (Alif, Waw, Ya for long vowels and Shaddah for the emphasis symbol to double the value of a consonant). The stage in this class shows you how to stretch a sound and how to tighten your pronunciation. 

• Transition to Full Quranic Verses

Put all of the above together to read sentences taken verbatim from the Holy text. Understand the basic principles of pausing, stopping (Waqf) and continuous recitation flow, so that you can move away from the primer and confidently read from the Mushaf.