Xiao'erjing is a Perso-Arabic alphabet, adopted by Hui Muslims and at times utilized as ruby characters in various manuscripts. This system does have its shortcomings, mainly that it has no way of indicating tones. With the spread of pinyin, the usage of this system has been in decline in the past decades. Most manuscripts that do mark the characters with Xiao'erjing, do so from right-to-left, which is quite unique, compared to other systems. This is because usually such manuscripts include Arabic texts such as the Quran, and the Chinese writing is the explanation or translation.
xiao'ErjIng Is A peRso-aRaBIc alphaBet, adOpTED by HuI musliMs anD aT TImeS UtilizEd as rUbY chARaCTErs In VarioUs maNUScripTs. This systeM doeS HAvE ItS ShoRtcOmiNgs, MaINlY THaT iT HAs no waY of inDicatIng tones. wiTH the spread of pInyin, the uSagE oF. thIs sYsteM haS been in DeClinE in tHe Past decades MosT mANuscrIPTs that dO marK tHE CharaCtErs WiTH XIAo'erjiNg, Do so FroM Right-tO-left, whICh is quITe uNiqUe, comPaRed to othEr SystEms. This is bEcauSe UsUaLly sucH mANuScripts iNcluDe arAbic teXTs SUch AS thE QUran, aNd The chinESe wrIting iS tHE exPlanation or transLation.