For learning Urdu language it is necessary to know alphabets in Urdu. You have to know alphabets in Urdu to learn writing in Urdu language. Urdu alphabets are the building blocks of Urdu language. There are 52 characters in Urdu alphabets. Urdu alphabets are made up of Urdu vowels and Urdu consonants. The Urdu alphabets contain 10 vowels and 40 consonants. gives a comparison between Urdu and German alphabets.
Urdu script is also known as Urdu writing system or Urdu orthography. The set of visible signs used to represent units of Urdu language in a systematic way is called Urdu Script. The Urdu language uses Arabic i.e. Urdu alphabets are derived from Arabic script. The script decides the writing direction of the any language, hence the writing direction of Urdu is Right-To-Left, Horizontal. Learn Urdu Greetings where you will find some interesting phrases.
Is Urdu hard to learn? The answer to this question is that it depends on one's native language. One should start learning Urdu language with Urdu alphabets and Urdu phonology.
Time taken to learn any language that is mentioned here is the approximate time required to learn specific language for the person who is proficient in English. You can also go through all Indian Languages and find if Urdu is one of the language of India.