Why Mastering Arabic Numbers Matters
When we recite a verse that mentions ten nights (Q 89:2) or read a ḥadīth about seven heavens, our understanding deepens when we know why the word night appears in the singular accusative and why sabʿa carries a fatḥah. Numbers in Arabic are not just mathematical labels; they reveal layers of grammar and rhetoric embedded in the Qur’an, classical texts, and everyday conversation.
A Road‑Map to Arabic Number Grammar
Below is a learner‑friendly guide that condenses the classic rules (قواعد العدد) into bite‑sized steps you can review and practise.
1. Numbers 1 & 2 (الواحد والاثنان)
| Number | Masculine Form | Feminine Form | Grammatical Behavior |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | واحد | واحدة | Follows counted noun in gender and comes after it. رجل واحد – امرأة واحدة |
| 2 | اثنان | اثنتان | Follows counted noun; dual endings match case. كتابان اثنانِ – سيارتين اثنتينَ |
Tip: Treat 1 & 2 like adjectives—match the noun’s gender, case, and definiteness.
2. Numbers 3 – 10 (الثلاثة إلى العشرة)
- Gender Opposition – The number is the opposite gender of the counted noun.
ثلاثُ بناتٍ – ثلاثةُ أولادٍ - Tamyīz (تمييز) – The counted noun appears plural, genitive, indefinite.
أربعُ صفحاتٍ، تسعُ ليالٍ - Position – The number comes before the noun.
3. Numbers 11 – 19 (الأحد عشر إلى التاسع عشر)
| Element | Rule |
|---|---|
| Structure | Composed of two words—both indeclinable except for accusative case sign on the last word. |
| Gender | Units digit (1–9) follows opposite gender rule; عشر part remains fixed. |
| Tamyīz | Noun appears singular, accusative, indefinite. |
| Example | إحدى عشرةَ سورةً – سبعة عشرَ رجلاً |
Remember: The stress of declension lies on the final ‑a of عشرَ in all three cases (nom., acc., gen.).
4. Decimal Tens 20–90 (العشرون إلى التسعون)
- Treated like broken plurals: they take the sound‑plural endings ـونَ (nom.) or ـينَ (acc./gen.).
لديّ ثلاثونَ مسألةً – حفظتُ ثمانينَ بيتاً - Combine with 1–9 by reading lower unit first, then the ten: خمسةٌ وعشرونَ كتاباً.
- Units follow gender rules of 3–10 with tamyīz plural genitive.
5. Hundred, Thousand, and Million (المائة، الألف، المليون)
| Number Word | Grammatical Notes |
|---|---|
| مائة / ألف / مليون | Act as singular feminine nouns. Take normal case endings and often followed by singular, genitive noun: مئةُ رجلٍ |
| Multiples | Adjacent numeral (2–99) is indeclinable in accusative form, e.g., ثلاثُ مئةٍ |
6. Ordinal Numbers (الأعداد الترتيبية)
- First & Second have unique forms: الأوّل، الأولى – الثاني، الثانية.
- From Third onward, derive from cardinal number with definite article: الثالث، الرابعة.
- Function exactly like adjectives—agree in gender, case, and definiteness.
وصلتُ في السنةِ الخامسةِ من دراستي.
Putting It into Practice
- Daily Counting Drills – Choose items around you (books, cups, verses) and form sentences with varying numbers and genders.
- Qur’an Copywork – Copy ayāt with numbers, highlight the tamyīz, and note gender patterns.
- Quick Quiz – Convert English phrases into Arabic:
- Twenty‑four nurses → أربعٌ وعشرونَ ممرضةً
- A thousand nights → ألفُ ليلةٍ
- Spoken Challenges – Use ordinals when talking about dates (اليوم الخامس والعشرون من الشهر) or ranking tasks.
Ready to Master Numbers at Lightning Speed?
Our membership site now hosts an interactive “Arabic Numbers” module:
- Animated flashcards drilling every rule above.
- Audio clips to perfect pronunciation of tricky endings.
- Auto‑graded exercises that track your accuracy and highlight weak spots.
- Live review sessions with me every Saturday for on‑the‑spot Q&A.
Because numbers are the backbone of accurate Qur’anic exegesis and fluent conversation, this module is unlocked for all paying members starting today. If you have ever stumbled over “thirty‑three tasbīḥāt” or “surah thirty‑six,” this is your path to clarity.
Join now, engage daily, and within a month you will speak, write, and teach Arabic numbers with confidence—in shā’ Allāh.
