Here's why:
* Pronunciation: Nuktas alter the pronunciation of a letter, sometimes creating a completely different sound.
* Distinguishing Similar Letters: Some Arabic letters are visually similar without a nukta. The nukta helps differentiate between them, leading to different pronunciations and meanings.
* Adding Meaning: In some cases, adding a nukta adds an extra layer of meaning to a word, like changing its grammatical function or indicating a specific pronunciation.
Examples:
* ب (b) vs. بّ (bb): The "b" without a nukta is a simple "b" sound, while the "b" with a nukta makes a "bb" sound.
* ث (th) vs. ثّ (thth): The "th" without a nukta is a voiceless "th" sound (like in "thin"), while the "th" with a nukta is a voiced "thth" sound (like in "this").
* ق (q) vs. قّ (qq): The "q" without a nukta is a simple "q" sound, while the "q" with a nukta makes a "qq" sound.
Therefore, the presence or absence of a nukta is crucial in Arabic writing, significantly impacting both the sound and meaning of a word.