Arabic words are frequently used on this site. To keep consistent, a notation for Arabic alphabet invented by a professor of linguistics is used. This notation is called “W-notation” because W is the key initial of the professor’s name. He does not like any publicity at all. The following are the main points of W- notation:
Short vowels:
“e” = (fetHeh i.e. zeber of Urdu language) as in reHmeh (Allah’s mercy) or kerem (generosity)
“i” = (kesreh i.e. ze:r of Urdu language) as in bismillah, fikr
“u” = (Demmeh or pe:sh of Urdu language) as in shukr, Zulm
Long vowels:
“a”= ‘elif
“w” = wa’o:
“y” = ya’, “ ‘ “ = hemzeh.
iy, ey, uw and ew are combinations of short and long vowels.
Special vowels of Urdu language are indicated by a colon e.g. me:ra (mine) or ho:sh (conciousness).
Capital letters denote different Arabic letters for example
d= "dal" as in "diyn" and "duniya" while capital D = "Dad" as in "Deruwriy" (necessary) or "ferD"(mandatory) or "meriyD" (patient)
cap. A = ain as in Aalim . Other notations will be obvious from the context.