Islam > Glossary > Ḥuruwf al-ziyaadaa
Discover the meaning of the term Ḥuruwf al-ziyaadaa (حُرُوف الزِّيَادَة) in Islamic vocabulary.
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Updated on 11 April 2026 at 1:05 AM
📖 2 min readThey are gathered in sa-altumuniha. And the meaning is not that these letters are only extra, but the meaning is that when a letter is added, it comes from none other than them. Likewise, the meaning is not that the letters of augmentation are only these, but that when a letter is added for something other than adjunction or doubling, it comes from none other than them. Indeed, augmentation can be through doubling, meaning by repeating the letters of the word, whichever letter it may be, such as 'allima and fariha. Also, it can be for adjunction from these letters, such as šamlala, and from others, such as jalbaba. It has been narrated that al-Akhfaš, the student of Sibawayh, asked him about the letters of augmentation, and he answered: sa-altumuniha. Then he asked him again and he answered: al-yawma tansaha. Then he asked and he answered: hawaytu al-sammans. And their subtlety is evident. They are also gathered by your saying: ya Aws namta, and your saying: lam yatina sahwu, as well as al-yawma tansahu, and some of them gathered them in a verse.
That which occurs as additions to correct a meter, a rhyme, or for emphasis.
That which is added for something other than adjunction and doubling.