The hamza in the Arabic word “Ibn” (ابن) is one of the most commonly misunderstood spelling rules in Arabic, largely due to the word’s frequent use in names, genealogy, religious texts, and historical writing. Many learners and writers struggle to determine when the hamza should be written and when it should be omitted.
Understanding the Nature of the Hamza in “Ibn”
The hamza in “Ibn” is a hamzat al-wasl (connecting hamza), not a hamzat al-qat‘ (cutting hamza). This means it is pronounced only when the word begins a sentence and is dropped in continuous speech. Arabic orthography reflects this phonetic principle in writing.
When the Hamza Is Dropped
The hamza is omitted when “Ibn” appears between two proper names, where the second name refers to the father of the first, and the word occurs within a sentence, not at the beginning:
Muhammad bin Abdullah
Ali bin Abi Talib
In such cases, “Ibn” serves purely as a genealogical connector, not as independent information.
The hamza is also dropped when “Ibn” is preceded by a vocative particle, such as:
Ya bin al-karam (O son of the noble)
Additionally, it may be dropped after certain interrogative constructions when it remains part of a name sequence.
When the Hamza Is Kept
The hamza must be written when “Ibn” appears at the beginning of a sentence, regardless of whether it is followed by a proper name:
Ibn Sina was a renowned physician.
It is also retained when “Ibn” is not placed between two proper nouns, when it is used as a predicate, or when it is added to a common noun rather than a proper name.
Common Writing Mistakes
A frequent error is writing:
Ali Ibn Abi Talib
Correct form:
Ali bin Abi Talib
Another common mistake is dropping the hamza at the beginning of a sentence, which is grammatically incorrect.
Final Guiding Principle
A simple mental rule can help:
If “Ibn” connects two proper names inside a sentence, drop the hamza.
In all other situations, keep the hamza.
