Shafiq Nezammuddin - principles of Arabic script

 There are a few basic principles of Arabic script which apply whichever style of writing is used:

 • There ore 28 letters in the alphabet.  

• The sCript is written right to left.  

• There are no capital letters.  

• Words are written in cursive, or 'joined up', writing.  

 

All letters join to the letter before in a word and all but six join to the letter after also. Once you have mastered the various forms of each letter shape in both naskll and ruq'a you will find you can write and read Arabic in most everyday con texts. Fina lly, make sure you have a good ink pen, drawing pen, gel pen or a soft pencil to write Arabic. The Arabic sCript usually looks better when written with a thicker nib or tip. Arabic is a flowing script and it is difficult to achieve a good hand with a cheap biro.