Arabiyatuna : Jurnal Bahasa Arab
Vol. 10 No. 1 (2026)

Embodied Arabic Orthography through Rasm ‘Uthmānī Copybook Practice: A Mixed-Methods Study in Malaysia

Yusuf Arisandi (Universitas Islam Internasional Darullughah Wadda'wah)
M. Yusuf Harun (Universitas Islam Internasional Darullughah Wadda’wah)
Aufa Hanin Salsabil (International Islamic University Malaysia)



Article Info

Publish Date
24 May 2026

Abstract

Arabic writing skills (mahārah kitābah) remain a persistent challenge in Islamic educational contexts, where instruction often emphasizes memorization and oral recitation while providing limited structured support for handwriting development. Although learners are frequently exposed to Qur’anic texts, such exposure does not automatically lead to accurate and confident Arabic writing. This study examines the implementation and pedagogical impact of Rasm ‘Uthmānī Qur’anic copybook practice on Arabic writing development among beginner and lower-intermediate learners in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. Employing a qualitative-dominant convergent mixed-methods design, the study involved 32 students who participated in a six-week copybook-based writing intervention. Data were collected through classroom observations, semi-structured interviews, analysis of students’ written artifacts, and pre- and post-writing performance assessments. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically through coding, categorization, and interpretive synthesis, while quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a paired-samples t-test. The findings indicate that copybook-based practice improved orthographic accuracy, letter formation, baseline alignment, and writing consistency, while also reducing writing anxiety and enhancing learner confidence. The faint-script tracing format served as visual–motor scaffolding, supporting psychomotor learning, gradual automatization, and affective readiness for writing. The study concludes that Rasm ‘Uthmānī Qur’anic copybooks can serve as a culturally authentic pedagogical medium for integrating Qur’anic literacy with Arabic writing instruction and for developing mahārah kitābah in Islamic educational settings.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

ARABIYATUNA

Publisher

Subject

Religion Education Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media Social Sciences

Description

Arabiyatuna : Jurnal Bahasa Arab is a refereed publication devoted to research articles, reports, and book reviews concerned with the teaching and learning of Arabic as a Foreign Language. This journal dedicated to enhancing and disseminating scholarly work in the field of Arabic Language Teaching ...