ARABIC GRAMMAR & WRITING FOR NONARABIC SPEAKERS
By: WALEED A. ALAMOUDI
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ARABIC GRAMMAR & WRITING FOR NONARABIC SPEAKERS
Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Objectives 2
Lesson One: Transliteration and Arabic Alphabet Recognition 3
Lesson Two: Word structure 10
Lesson Three: The definite article 12
Lesson Four: Gender 13
Lesson Five: Qaaf and Kaaf 16
Lesson Six: Alif MaqSura 16
Activities 17
Lesson Seven: Pronouns 19
Activities 23
Lesson Eight: Core Consonant or Root 24
Activities 26
Lesson Nine: Basic Arabic sentences 27
"To be" and "to have" — verbs you don't use!
Lesson Ten: Prepositional Phrases and 27
Lesson Eleven: Nominal and Verbal Sentences 28
Lesson Twelve: Adjective 29
Lesson Thirteen: Adverb 29
Lesson Fourteen: Inna; Certainly 30
Lesson Fifteen: Kaaana; He/It was 30
Lesson Sixteen: Definite Relative Pronouns or Clauses 30
Al-lathee; who; which; that
Lesson Seventeen: Plural 31
I. Sound Plurals 31
II. Broken Plurals 33
Lesson Eighteen: Demonstrative Pronoun;Ismul-ishaarah 34
Lesson Nineteen: Common Expressions 35
Activities 38
Lesson Twenty: Use of numbers 38
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Lesson Twenty-One: Colors 40
Lesson Twenty-Two: Questions 41
Lesson Twenty-Three: Conversation 42
I. Hello & Goodbye 42
II. Meeting People 43
III. In the Hotel 43
IV. In the Restaurant 45
Lesson Twenty-Four: Shape of Arabic Letters 47
Activity 57
Lesson Twenty-Five: Tashkeel system 58
Lesson Twenty-Six: Diacritics 59
Lesson Twenty-Seven: Understand Arabic Writing 61
-Part I 61
-Part II 64
-Part III 66
-Part IV 68
Lesson Twenty-Eight: Vocabulary 68
Lesson Twenty-Nine: Phrases 72
Appendix I: Selection from the Quran- Surat Al-Fâtihah 80
Appendix II: Muslim lunar months 83
Appendix III: Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah swt) 84
Appendix IV: Islamic Dictionary 86
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Introduction
This book was formulated and compiled from the overlooking of many of
the available Arabic for non-Arabic speakers books. It’s designed to be
taught by Arabs to non-Arabs of varying backgrounds without any
intermediary language.
This book doesn’t follow either western linguistic methodology or Arabic
traditional methods of teaching the Arabic language. It doesn’t require
the learner to memorize all 28 letters of the alphabet. The basic
understanding of the language was developed through the practicing of
the alphabet pronunciations and Arabic vocabularies build up through
conversation and roots recognition. It is ideal for adults and older youths,
because it develops reading and writing skills gradually and logically.
The letters of the alphabet and reading principles are distributed over
eight lessons and are designed to be easily taught over a period of three
months, at two hours per week.
Before closing, I would like to thank the Islamic Community of
Bryan/College Station for their encouragement and giving me the
opportunity to compile this work. Most of all, I thank Allah for giving me
this opportunity to help others learn the language of the last revelation;
the Quran and I pray that He record this effort in my favor.
Waleed Alamoudi
January, 2001
College Station, USA
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Objectives
By the time you finish these materials, you should be:
Familiar with the general, very basic facts of the four areas listed below.
- Satisfy partially the requirements of very basic communicative
exchange.
- Partial ability to make short statements using simple formulaic
phrases.
- Ask and answer a few simple questions.
- Understand some memorized words within predictable areas of
need. Understanding is limited to basic needs, and courtesy
formulae, as well as materials relating to everyday objects and
situations.
In this level you need to do as you must : Learn by heart, and leave
difficult grammar for later.
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Lesson One
Transliteration and Arabic Alphabet Recognition
Arabic is the most beautiful language because it helps us express our
feelings and thoughts. Our holly book 'Al-Quran' was revealed in Arabic.
Thus making it the spiritual language of Islam - one of the world's major
religions. Many ancient inventions were expressed using the Arabic
language. Sciences like Physics and Algebra were first expressed using
the native Arabic language.
The Arabic language consists of 28 characters; it's called 'The Arabic
Alphabet'. Unlike the English language, Arabic Alphabet is written from
Right to Left. There are clear rules for pronunciation for each of the
letters. Even better, for Arabic you can find the correct pronunciation
from the spelling alone. This is one of the areas where learning Arabic is
easier than it is for other languages.
Each character has different forms of writing, depending on its location
in the word. Some letters (22 letters) can be written, and be joined by
another letters, at the beginning, in the middle, at the end of the word, or
independent. Some letters (6 letters) can only be written independent or
joining a previous letter, but cannot be joined by a following letter.
As supporting elements to the Arabic alphabet, there are Short Vowels
and Long Vowels. These vowels do change the verb of the word.
Each letter has a separate area inside the mouth where its sound gets
originated. Some letters can be associated with an English letters; others
are unique to the Arabic language. You need to repeat hearing these
kinds of letters to pronounce them correctly. The sound system of Arabic
is very different from that of English. It includes a number of distinctive
guttural sounds and a series of consonants (pronounced with
accompanying constriction of the pharynx and raising of the back of the
tongue). Arabic words always start with a single consonant followed by a
vowel.
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An Arabic word is composed of two parts: (1) the root, which generally
consists of three consonants and provides the basic lexical meaning of the
word, and (2) the pattern, which consists of vowels and gives
grammatical meaning to the word. The language also makes use of
prefixes and suffixes, which act as subject markers, pronouns,
prepositions, and the definite article.
In this lesson you will learn the Alphabetic of the Arabic Language.
Down here is a table that contains all the Arabic Letters.
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Alphabetic of the Arabic Language
8
Long Vowels Short Vowels
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Each Arabic letter has a Name, Illustration, and a Pronunciation. The
Name is used to call the letter, the Illustration is how the letter is written,
and the Pronunciation is the area in the mouth where the letter is
originated. To know exactly where the sound of a letter is originated, add
an 'a' in front of it and say it, you will easily know its area. For example,
by adding 'a' to the letter 'Ba', you will know immediately that this letter
'Ba' is originated from between the two lips when you close them tightly.
Types of Pronunciation
The main types of pronunciation are the Labial pronunciation and the
Guttural pronunciation. The Labial pronunciation is the sound originator
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for 4 letters. The below pictures illustrate these 4 letters and how the
shape of the lips should be. These 4 letters are: Fa, Ba, Meem, and Waw.
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The Guttural pronunciation is the sound originator for 6 letters. The
below pictures illustrate these 6 letters and how the shape of the mouth,
along with the tongue, should be. These 6 letters are: Hamza, Haa, Ayn,
Hha, Ghain, and Kha.
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Lesson Two
Word structure
One essential part of the process of learning to read and write Arabic is
developing a familiarity with a word structure, how individual words are
composed, and how words are put together in phrases.
The Arabic Alphabet consists of 28 letters. Most of the letters consist of
basic shapes with one or more dots written above or below these basic
forms.
In addition to this, many of the letters change shape according to where
they are within a word that is at the beginning of a word in the middle, or
at the end.
Some Arabic letters connect to the letters that follow them, while others
do not.
Arabic words are written from right to left, unlike English, which goes
from left to right.
Words are made definite in Arabic by attaching the article al,
(which means "the")
If a word begins with any of these letters :
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or with a hamza (which will be seated on la ) we place a
sukuun on the la of the definite and pronounce the la.
If a word begins with any of the rest of the letters of the alphabet:
The la will be assimilated into the following letter and will not be
pronounced.
The definite article al is normally part of the Arabic surnames
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Lesson Three
The Definite Article
One of the things many should have noticed before embarking on
learning the Arabic language is the frequent use of prefixes like "Al”.
"Al" is the same two letters "a" and "l" put together, which indicate the
definite article for a noun. But what is considered definite and what is
not, is often different from many Western languages. Briefly one could
make this as a rule: If it is not particularly important to stress the
indefinite form, the definite article should be used. But this is only a valid
rule at your present stage in learning Arabic. When a noun is indefinite,
no prefixes or suffixes are added, you simply use the core form of the
noun. Just to complicate things a bit here: In Arabic there are a group of
"sun letters", letters which standing first in a noun, eat the "l" of the
definite article. These are the following letters:
t, th, d, dh, r, z, s, sh, S, D, T, Z, n.
The result is that you never write, nor pronounce: "al-t.....", "al-th....", "al-
d....", "al-dh....", "al-r....", "al-z....", "al-s....", "al-sh...." and so on.
You do write and pronounce: "at-t....", "ath-th....", "ad-d....", "adh-dh....",
"ar-r....", "az-z....", "as-s....", "ash-sha....." and so on.
For the remainder of the letters, you leave the "l" of the definite article
intact.
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Lesson Four
Gender
There are only two genders to Arabic, masculine and feminine. The
implementation of these two are in most of the cases very simple. You
take the masculine form, and add the ending "-a" to it. Then it is a
feminine noun. F.ex.:
mudarris (masc.) — mudarrisa (fem.) [teacher]
kitâb (masc.) [book] — kitâba (fem.) [the act of writing]
sâ'ih (masc.) — sâ'iha (fem.) [tourist]
Of the three examples above, you see that the first and the third are used
for a person. The second, however, is simply changing the meaning of
the word, through adding the feminine "-a" at the end. This you will see
over and over again in Arabic. By adding "-a", new words with new
Specific meanings are made. But you should note, when new words are
made by adding "-a" at the end, there is a kin between the masculine and
the feminine nouns, in respect their meaning. Most nouns not referring to
people are arbitrarily assigned a gender. For an example the word (door)
albaab is masculine,
the word (sun) al-shams is feminine.
A feminine word is usually easy to spot, because it has a feminine suffix
attached to it. The suffix is a (called a "taa marbuuTa").
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It's the Arabic letter T who was put in loop to become , in order
to particularize the mark of feminine. But not every word that look
feminine will necessarily be feminine this word "Caliph"
is an example.
The taa'marbuuTa occurs only at the end of a word and looks like final
and independent "haa", except that it has two dots above it.
Here, some examples:
Masculine Feminine
Small
Large
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Length
Faithful
Notice that the letter "haa" at the end of the word is not part of the word
itself.
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Lesson Five
Qaaf and Kaaf
English speaking learners of Arabic often do not distinguish between the
sound of the Arabic letters kaaf and qaaf . Kaaf is the same
as k in English, but qaaf has no English equivalent. It is pronounced
farther back in the throat. It is the qaaf of the word raqiib,
"observant".
Lesson Six
Alif MaqSura
The alif maqSura is a symbol that represents alif in some
cases . It always comes at the end of a word and looks like the letter yaa',
except that it has no dots. It is pronounced as a long vowel alif
.
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Activities
Activity 1
The following are some examples of the article "al" in its various
positions in different words, Practice writing them.
Activity 2
try reading the following words aloud. Each of these words contains the
article "al".
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Activity 3
Read the following words, and circle the words with the alif maqSura.
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Lesson Seven
Pronouns; dama’er
Arabic uses pronoun suffixes as another way to indicate possession. In
English we say "my/your house", "his/her house", "our/their house" etc.,
to indicate that something belongs to someone. In Arabic the same thing
is done but the possessive pronouns are suffixed to the noun instead of
written as independent words before the noun. Below is the chart of the
independent pronoun with example.
Independent or separate Pronoun
I . . ana . .
I am Nader . .ana Nader . .
You - female . . anti . .
you are Nora . .anti Nora . .
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You - male . . anta . .
You are Nader . . anta Nader . .
We - our group . . nahno . .
We are students . . nahno tolab/talibat . .
/
You are - you are male group . .antom . .
You are students . . antom tolab . .
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You are - you are female group . . antona .
You are students . . antona talibat . .
He - male . . Howa . .
He is Nader . . howa Nader . .
She - female . . heyaa .
She is Nora . . heyaa Nora . .
They - male group . . hom . .
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They are students . . hom tolab . .
They - female group . . honaa . .
They are students . . honaa talibat . .
Dependent or attached Pronoun.ex. inahu gadem .. he is coming,
Inaha’a gadema’h.. she is coming.
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Activities
Activity 1
You are walking along the street with your family. An Arab friend
approaches you and asks you, "Who are these beautiful children?" How
do you say, "This is my son, and this is my daughter"?
Activity 2
You are showing the family album to a friend, and he asks you about
people in a certain picture. How do you say,” This is my mother on the
left, and my father on the right"?
Activity 3
While shopping at the market, you meet a colleague with a little boy.
How do you ask him, "Is this boy your son?"
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Lesson Eight
Core Consonant or Root
In Arabic, words that are related in meaning tend to be related in form as
well, they contain the same core group of consonants. For example, think
of the words having to do with books and writing:
To write - wrote . . -
Written. . , A book. .
An office. . , A library. .
A writer. .
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All these words have the same core group of consonants:
This core group of consonants that gives the basic meaning to a family of
words called the roots, is not a word, but a group of consonants, usually
three in number. The order of these consonants is critical to the integrity
of the root:
is not equivalent to
To identify the root of any word, which have more than three consonants:
First, eliminate any prefixes and sufixes and
Second, look for long vowels - especially alif
and the consonants taa , caa , maa , and
naa. These letters are often not part of the root.
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Activities
Activity 1
The letters in the following words are scrambled. Rearrange and connect
the letters to form the correct spelling. And Put the word in a sentence:
, , , ,
.
Activity 2
Without changing the meaning of the words mentioned in activity # 1,
create different forms of any four of those words.
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Lesson Nine
Basic Arabic sentences
"To be" and "to have" — verbs you don't use!
Two verbs are normally omitted from Arabic (this thing makes learning
the language a little bit easier). These two are to be and to have. Instead
of saying, "My name is Waleed", you say "Name mine Waleed" —" ismî
Waleed"
The same applies for qualities: Instead of saying "She is a teacher", you
say "She teacher" — hiyya mudarrisa, "he tourist" — huwa sâ'ih
As for the verb "to have", which can also equal "to own": Instead of
saying "He has a car", you say "To him a car" — lahu sayyâra, "to her a
book" — lahâ kitâb, "to me a house" (="I own a house") — lî bayt
Lesson Ten
Prepositional Phrases and
Prepositional phrases are called when a preposition precedes a noun. This
preposition causes the noun to be in the genitive case (majroor) that is
indicated by changing the final vowel to a kasrah. The most frequently
used prepositions in Arabic are:
fee: in
min: from
a’laa: on
ilaa: to
aa’n:far from, used in case of describing how far a place or a thing from
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Lesson Eleven
Nominal and Verbal Sentences
There are two types of sentences in Arabic:
Nominal sentence: al-jumlatul ismeeyah, sentence which do not begin
with verb. It consists of two parts; the subject (al-mubtada,the beginning)
and the predicate (al-khaber, the information). Al-mubtada may be a
noun or pronoun and , while al-khaber may be either of these, as well as
prepositional phrases, adjectives or adverbs. Whenever the subject or
predicate of is a noun, it is always indicated by a dammah, -u, on its last
consonant Arabic nouns have three cases nominative (dammah on its last
consonant), genitive (kassrah, -i, on its last consonant), and accusative
(fat-h’ah,a, -a, on its last consonant). Pronouns occur both as suffixes and
as independent words. As an example for al-jumlatul ismeeyah: al-
masjed nadheef.. the mosque is clean.
Verbal sentence: al-jumlatul alfaaliah, sentence which begin with verb.
Verbs in Arabic are regular in conjugation. There are two tenses: the
perfect (al-ma’de; past, has a fat-h’ah on its last consonant), ex. da’ra’sa..
studied, which is often used to express past time, and the imperfect (al-
muda’re’aa; now, has dammah on its last consonant), example Yadru’su..
study, formed by the addition of prefixes and sometimes containing
suffixes indicating number and gender, which is often used for
expressing present, while future time is simply made by adding the prefix
"sa-" to the imperfect form. In addition to the two tenses there is an
imperative form (al-amr), example, Idrus..do your studying. Verbs are
inflected for three persons, three numbers (singular, dual, plural), and two
genders.
The English word ‘imperative’ comes from the latin word ‘to
command’ and corresponds to the arabic ‘Amr’.
Arabic,however,distinguishes between a command (amr) , a request
(talab) and a supplication (du’a’). The form of the verb for making all
three is, however, the same.
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The jussive form (majzoom or ended by sukun) of the present
tense verb (mudaare’ or muda’re’aa). The sukun in the jussive form
because a jussive particle preceded the present verb. The imperative is
formed from the jussive form (majzoom or ended by sukun) of the
present verb by the following:
i. Cutting off the prefixed Ta’ or Ya from jussive form of the
presnt verb (mudaare’) and it’s vowel;
ii. What remains begins with a letter having a sukun, an initial
alif is then added to form the imperative (command) form of
the verb.
iii. The vowel on the alif is a dammah, if the next vowel after
the letter having a sukun is a dammah.
The vowel on the alif is a kasrah, if the next vowel after the
letter having a sukun is a fat-hah or a kasrah.
Examples:
Jussive form of the mudaare’:
Taghfer, Yajlis, Taj’al, Tadkhul, Ya’dh’hub
Imperative form derived from Jussive form of the mudaare’:
I’ghfer, (Forgive), Ijlis (set), I’j’al, (make), U’dkhul, (enter), Idh’hab
Jussive: Taqum Taqul Takun
Imperative: qum, (stand) qul, (say) kun, (be)
If after cutting off the prefixed Ta’ or Ya’ what remains a letter with a
vowel, then no prefixed alif is needed.
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If the imperative is connected in pronounciation to a previous letter and
vowel, the initial alif (hamzatul-wasl) of the imperative is ignored in
pronounciation.
Imperative: I’ghfer I’j’alu U’khruj
Letter+Imperative wa’ghfer wa ’j’alu fa’khruj
The verb in al-jumlatul alfaaliah needs a subject. This subject has to be a
noun in nominative case (dammah on its last consonant) or pronoun to
replace this nominative noun. The pronoun of the subject has two cases
either suffixed or attached to the verb as a replacement for the subject or
as a disappear Independent or separate Pronoun (passive voice).
Some verb needs an object to complete the sentence. This object has to
be a noun in accusative case (fat-h’ah on its last consonant) or a pronoun
suffixed or attached to the verb. As an example of al-jumlatul alfaaliah:
Yazu’ru’ kalidu al-ma’reeda’.
The perfect (al-muda’re’aa) verb can has fat-h’ah on its last consonant if
it proceeded by in or lun,or it could has sukoon on its last consonant if it
proceeded by lum or la (al-nahiah). Al-muda’re’aa also can be attached to
the alif al- ithnân (two), ex yala’b’an, wow al-jama’ah (more than two),
ex. Yala’boon, and yaa' al-mukhatabah, tala’been, all of these three
conditions are ending with noon on its last consonant.
Lesson Twelve
Adjective; al-sefa’h
The adjectives in Arabic is always written after the noun which it
modifies.ex. muslim jadeed… a new muslim. The Adjective must agree
with the:
- Noun it qualifies in definiteness.ex. al- muslim al-jadeed.
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- Noun it modify in gender.ex. al- muslimah al-jadeedah
- Noun it modify in case.ex. min al- muslim al-jadeed (kassrah
on the last consonant of both), al- muslim al-jadeed (dammah
on the last consonant of both).
Lesson Thirteen
Adverb; al-ida’faah
Al-ida’faah is either a nouns or pronoun, it comes to define or modify an
in definitive noun. Al-ida’faah has two conditions:
- If the first noun is in definitive (no al or tanween) and al-ida’faah is
in the gentive case (kassrah on its last consonant).ex. kitabu al-
talebe..a student book.
- If al-ida’faah is indefinite the first noun also will be indefinite. ex.
kitabu taleben..a student’s book. The subject of Inna can be either
noun as the previous example or pronoun.ex. Innahu Kabeeru
Lesson Fourteen
Inna; Certainly
Inna is a particle used in Arabic to emphasizes a statement. When Inna is
placed before a nominal sentence, it causes the subject to enter the
accusative case whish is indicated by changing the dammah on the last
consonant to a fat-h’ah, ex. Inna almasjeda kabeeru..Certainly the
mosque is large. The subject could be either a noun or pronoun, ex.
Innahu Kabeeru.. Certainly it is large.
Lesson Fifteen
Kaaana; He/It was
kannna(was) is the most commonly used verb in Arabic in nominal
sentences expressing past time and referring to present time. The subject
of kannna is in the nominative form (mubtada, dammah on its last
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consonant) and the predicate is in the accusative case.ex. (khaber, fat-
h’ah on its last consonant).
Lesson Sixteen
Definite Relative Pronouns or Clauses
Al-lathee; who; which; that
Al–lathee is a relative pronoun, which introduces a relative clause. It
reflects the gender and number (singular or plural) of noun or pronoun,
which precedes it. The female form of al–lathee is al-latee.The relative
pronoun Al –lathee is definite ,since it begins with the definite article
, and represents a definite noun, ex. al-rajul al–lathee fee al-
masjed..the man in the mosque, but not, the man is in the mosque.
Lesson Seventeen
Plural
Plural in Arabic have tow main groups:
I. Sound Plurals: Are nouns and adjectives, which follow the following
grammar rules:
- Only nouns and adjectives referring to human have masculine and
feminine plurals, ex. muslimoon, and muslimatun.
- Masculine and feminine plurals have only one form for both the
accusative and genitive cases, ex. muslimeen, and muslimaten.
- If masculine plural added to noun or attached to pronoun the final
inn in the plural will be dropped, ex. muslimu amreeca,
muslimoo’ha.
- Feminine plurals can be used for human and non-human nouns,ex.
muslimat, and jameaa’at.
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- Non-human plurals,whether male or female, modified by singular
Feminine adjectives. Jameaa’atun sagherah..small universities.
- Singular feminine pronoun replaces male and female non-numan
plurals,ex. he’ia kutubun.. they are books.
- Singular feminine relative pronoun proceeds male and female non-
numan plurals, ex. al-kutub al–lathee fee al-masjed mufeeda’h.
- In general, feminine singular nouns or adjectives ending with the
letter or make their plurals with . While
adding with the adjectives preceding, we have for example:
Feminine singular Feminine plural
Small
Large
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Length
Faithful
II. Broken Plurals: of nouns and adjectives are derived from their singular
forms by internal vowel changes, and follow certain
patterns. The most common patterns:
- Af’aal: ex. aglaam derived from the singular form galum (ben).
- Fi’aal: ex. rejaal derived from the singular form rajul (man).
- Fu’alaa’u: ex. mudaraau’ derived from the singular form mudeer
(manager).
- Mafaa’ilu: ex. masajedu’ derived from the singular form masjed
(mosque).
- Fu’ul: ex. kutub derived from the singular form kitab (book).
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- Fu’ool: ex. shu’hoor derived from the singular form shaher
(month).
-
- Fa’aalin: ex. krassi derived from the singular form kursi (chear).
- There are a number of other plural patterns which follow a hearing
pattern, tulab for a singular noun taleb.
Lesson Eighteen
Demonstrative Pronoun; Ismul-ishaarah
The demonstrative pronouns haathaa for male and haathihi for female
and non-human plural (this) Known in Arabic as Ismul-ishaarah is for
pointing out things which are near, while for distant objects, thaalika and
tilka (that) are used. Ismul-ishaarah is associated with the following
conditions:
- Plural forms are haa’ula’ee and ‘ula’ikaa.
- As a subject of a nominal sentence and the predicate is generally in
definite.
- If the predicate is definite, a pronoun is added ex. Haathaa huwa
al-taleb.. this is a man.
- The demonstrative pronoun is always in the same gender as the
noun that it forms a phrase with.ex. haathihi al-mara’t..this women.
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Lesson Nineteen
Common Expressions
Arabic occasionally uses what is called the "honorific plural". It is a
plural form that is used even when only one person is involved. Perhaps
the best-known example of this is the phrase as-sallaamu-alaykum,
which really means "Peace be upon you
(all)," but it is used when greeting either one person or a group of people.
One of the most widely used expressions in Arabic (second, perhaps,
only to al-Hamdu-lil-lah) is in shaa'a Allah,
meaning "God willing."
Here Ahmed and Nader, meet at the Islamic center for the first time, and
introduce themselves to each other.
Ahmad: Hello. . Ahmad MarHaban
My name is Ahmad. . esmee Ahmad
Nader: welcome.. Ahlan WaSahlun
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I'm Nader . . ana nader
At the same time Nader met Hammed, from Kuwait, who had been met
before.
Nader: Aslamo Alukum Hamed
How are you doing? . . Kaufa Halooka?
Hamed: I'm fine, praise be to God, . . ana Bekhaur, Walhamdo Lillah .
.
and you? . . wa anta
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Nader: I'm fine, thank you . . ana bekhaur, shokrun
.
What is your name?
ma ismok? Hello!
My name is marhaba
ismy Good Morning
how old are you? sabah al-hayri
kam omroka? How are you?
Nice to meet you kayfa haluk?
tasharrafna
fine!
Goodbye
biheyr
ma'assalama
Please
yes
minfadlik
na'am
Thank you
no
shukran!
la
41
Activities
Activity 1
Pick one member of your group. Look at the English translation of the
previous two conversations and practice reciting them in Arabic.
Using your own names.
Activity 2
You want to introduce yourself to an Arab. What do you say?
Activity 3
If you want to ask an Arab man what his name is, what do you say?
Activity 4
How do you respond if somebody asks you how you are?
Lesson Twenty
Use of numbers
Numbers in Arabic are quite complicated, there are different rules for the
numbers, and numbers are declined according to gender. Getting the grip
on numbers in order to make practical use of them (few Arabs used
numbers correctly), is however reasonably easy.
42
From 21 to 99 you count like this: (example) 44: Four wa-forty.
From 12 to 19 you count like this (example) 15: Five Ten.
11 is slightly diverging.
When putting numbers together with nouns you do like this:
1: (example) 1 book is said as simply as "book", "kitâb", you leave
1 out, unless it is very important to emphasise that it is one book.
2: (example) 2 books is a special case, as Arabic not only has
singular and plural, but also dual. The rules here are straight, but
often ommitted by student, who wind up saying "2 books",
ithnân kutub.
That is not correct, and the correct dual for 2 books is
kitâbâni.
3 and up: You place the full form of the number first, immediately
followed by the noun: 42 books:
ithnân wa-'arbacûn kitâbân.
43
Lesson Twenty-One
Colors
44
Lesson Twenty-Two
Questions
Where is/ are --- feyn?
What? --- 'matha?
What's that? --- 'eyh da?
When? --- imta?
Why? --- leyh?
Why not? --- leyh la?
How? --- keyf?
Who? --- meen?
How many --- kam?
45
Lesson Twenty-Three
Conversation; Muhadathah
I. Hello & Goodbye
'As-salâmu calaykum
Hello; Peace upon you
cW
alaykumu als-salâm
Hello; Peace upon you, too
marhaban
Hello; welcome
kayf hâluk?
How are you?
shukran. al-hamdu li-lâh. wa ant?
Thank you. Fine, by God's mercy. And you?
'anâ bi-khayr
I'm fine
maca salâma
Go with God’s base on you or Go without fear
ilâ l-liqâ'
So long; Until the next time
46
II. Meeting People
mâ-esmuk?
What's your name?
'esmî salîm
My name is Salim
'ismuhu rashîd
His name is Rashid
'ismuhâ warda
Her name is Fatimah
'acmal hunâ
I'm working here
'anâ tâlib
I'm a student (as uttered by a man)
'anâ tâliba
I'm a student (as uttered by a woman)
III. In the Hotel
ayna al-funduq Yasalâm?
Where is the Hotel Salim?
hal ladayka ghurfa?
Have you got vacant room?
min aiyyati darja hâthâ al-funduq?
Of which class is the hotel?
47
hal 'al-ghurfa mac al-hammâm?
Is there a bathroom coming with the room?
hal 'al-ghurfa mac al-hâtif?
Is there a telephone in the room?
hal youjud tilîfizyûn fî al- ghurfa?
Is there a TV-set in the hotel?
kam ojrat al-laylah
What's the price for one night?
uktub min fadlik
Please write
lâ 'afham
I don't understand
'afham
I understand
ghâlî
Expensive!
sa'askun hunâ li muddati thalâthati laylen
I'm going to stay here for three nights
'awwalân, urîd mushahdat al-ghurfa, min fadlik
First, I want to see the room, please
shukran. al-ghurfa mumtâzah
Thank you. The room is very nice
48
IV. In the Restaurant
masâ'a l-khayr
Good evening
hal tatakallumu l-inkliziyya?
Do you speak English?
hal tatakallumu l-arabia?
Do you speak Arabic?
yâ Jârson
Waiter!
qâ'imatu t-tacâm, min fadlik
Could I/we see the menu, please
hal Indcakum haleeb?
Have you got milk?
lâ ta'kulu l-lahm wa-lâ l-bayda
She doesn't eat meat, nor eggs
lahmu l-khurûf lî, min fadlik. wa salata
Lamb for me, thank you. And salad
'al-ruz lî, min fadlik. wa kûkâ kûlâ
Rice for me, thank you. And a Coca Cola
lahmu l-dajaj, min fadlik. wa ka’s l-mâ'
chicken meat, thank you. And a glass of water
lahmu d-dijâj mashwiyy wa-rûz wa salata mashwiyya lî
Grilled chicken with rice, and fried salad for me
49
âis krîm, qahwa, wa l-fawâkih lî kull, min fadlik
Ice cream, coffee, and fruits for all, thank you
'al-fâtûra, min fadlik
The bill, please
hal mumkin dafcu maca bitâqati l-icâra
Is it possible to pay with credit card?
maca salâma
Go without fear
ilâ l-liqâ'
So long; Until the next time
50
Lesson Twenty-Four
Shape of Arabic Letters
The shape of each Arabic letter may have different forms, depending on
whether it's used by itself or comes at the beginning, in the middle or at
the end of a word.
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
In order to learn any alphabetical letter in Arabic, you have to
practice writing many different patterns of the same letter.
Activity
Read the following examples, which show the initial, medial,
and final handwritten form of letters "baa, taa and thaa", and
then copy them.
61
Lesson Twenty-Five
Tashkeel system
Al Khalil ibn Ahmad al Farahidi devised a tashkeel system to replace Abu al
Aswad's. His system was universally used since the early eleventh century,
and included six diacritical marks to indicate the small vowels attached to
Arabic letters.
62
Lesson Twenty-Six
Diacritics
Diacritics are diacritical marks for Arabic alphabetic characters which
primarily represent vowel sounds:
- Single diacritics:
- Nunation: tanween; double diacritics:
- Double Consonants: Shadda:
- Combined diacritics:
63
Examples; amtheelah
- ; he studied
- ; a lesson
- ; he taught
- ; it was studied
64
Lesson Twenty-Seven
Understand Arabic Writing
Part I
65
Explanation
'a/'u/i/â ('alif) The little secret to
understand writing
Arabic, is thinking of it
as handwriting. Just like
b (bâ')
you connect letters
together when you write,
so you will connect
letters when you write
Arabic. Their shapes will
t (tâ')
change in order to adjust
to the writing of other
letters, so that it becomes
possible to write without
th (thâ') lifting the pen up from
the paper (of course,
when marking the dots,
you will have to).
m (mîm) 22 of the 28 Arabic
letters have 4 variants:
1. Standing alone.
w/û (wâw) 2. As the first letter in a
word.
3. Inside the word,
between two other letters.
4. As the last letter in a
h (hâ')
word, joining to the letter
in front.
As for the remaining 6,
y/î (yâ') they never join to the
following letter, even
when they are inside a
word. This means that the
66
writer has to lift his pencil,
and even if he is inside the
same word, the following
letter will have to be
written as if it was the first
in a word. Examples of
these odd 6, see 'alif and
wâw.
Examples
yawm- (one) day. This word is made out of three letters, yâ', wâw and
mîm.
'ummî- my mother. With this word, you should note the following: The
double letters of mîm, are not written each by themselves, they are
written as one letter.There is a curl (shadda) to indicate just this a.
Note that the suffix of a yâ', is the straightforward way of indicating,
"mine", "my", or "of "me". When putting yâ' at the very end of a word,
pronouncing and writing it as one word, you can't go wrong.
wathaba- to jump, to leap This is a verb. Note that it really means, "he
jumped, he leaped", as masculine singular past, is presented as the core
or root form for a verb.
67
Part II
Explanation
As it would become more and
j (jîm) more apparent, most Arabic
letters have the same shape as
one, two or three others, but that
dots are used to separate them.
h (hâ') stressed h Dots in our days, can never be
omitted.
This lesson introduces altogether
4 sounds that are unfamiliar to
kh (khâ') most Western languages. These
have one common factor, they
are heavily stressed. Special
attention should be paid to the
c c c
( ayn) ayn, as well as to the ghayn. The
former is a new sound to most,
and calls for special practice,-
few Arabic students do this,
gh (ghayn) unfortunately they leave it as a
pausal stop.
Ghayn is not difficult to
pronounce when standing alone,
but can easily disappear when
[-at] (tâ' marbûta)
inside a word.
The tâ' marbûTa t (it is a mixture
of the letters hâ' and tâ') belongs
to a category of itself: It is more
l (lâm) a femine mark, than a letter.
68
Examples
khalaca- to undress.
ghalla- crops, produce, yield. Here again, note that double
consonants (shadda) always are written with one letter only.
This noun has the feminine mark, which is only pronounced (as
at).
Hajj- greater pilgrimage. This is the word for the most central
religious act in Islam, the pilgrimage to Mecca.
jacala- become; bring [someone into a state]. Arabic is a very
rich language in its vocabulary.
69
Part III
Explanation
d (dâl) Here comes the largest chunk
of Arabic letters that only can be
written in two variants: Standing
alone, following another letter.
dh (dhâl) None of these allows any
subsequent letter to join. This
involves that the writer will have
to lift his pencil up from the
r (râ') paper, and write that subsequent
letter as if it was the first in a
word.
The last letter, the hamza, is not
z (zây) really a letter, there is no sound
to it, and in transcriptions, no
Latin letter is used, only an
apostrophe. What the hamza
f (fâ') indicates is a pausal stop in the
pronounciation. No sound,
simply a little stop. However, the
hamza is no big obstacle for the
q (qâf) Arabic student. Few Arabs
emphasize the hamza when they
speak themselves.
k (kâf)
' (hamza)
70
Examples
qadhafa- to shoot; throw; ejaculate. Here you see in practice
what letters that only can be written in one out of two forms,
behave.
fakka- untie; loosen. Double letter written as it was one
(shadda).
firaq- teams or farq- difference. Both these are written in the
same way, even if one is plural and the other singular. But you
will have to read the real meaning out of the context, and from
there remember the correct pronounciation.
ghurfa- room.
71
Part IV
"hamza carriers"; hamza, and how it appears
The hamza can be written in several different ways. In most instances you
will see it with a "hamza carrier", that is either 'alif, wâw or yâ' with a
hamza floating above this .
Lesson Twenty-Eight
Vocabulary; al-Mufradaat
(English = Arabic)
Hospital --- mostashfa
Market --- sook
Cinema --- sinama
Restaurant --- matt'am
Street --- shari''
People --- nas
Laundry --- masbagha
Library --- maktaba
Pharmacy --- saydaliyya
Boat --- karib
River --- nahr
Airport --- mattar
Bicycle --- darraja
72
Chair --- korsiyy
Home --- manzil
Table --- ttawila
Door --- bab
Key --- miftah
Bed --- sareer
Balcony – shorfa
Curtains -- sata'ir
Candel -- sham'a
Sofa --- sofa
Broom --- miknasa
Window --- shobbak
73
Poet --- sha'ir
Judge --- kady
Chemist --- saydaliyy
Musician --- mossikiyy
Teacher --- ostath
Singer --- moghannin
Pilot --- mallah
Fisher --- sammak
Guard --- haris
Actor --- momattil
Carpenter --- najjar
Dancer --- rakisa
Engineer --- mohandis
74
Apricots --- roman
Onion --- basal
Mint --- na'na'
Bananas --- mauz
Dates --- balah
Tomato --- banadoora
Cucumber --- khiyar
Honey --- asal
Rice --- rizz
Pepper --- bhar
Beans --- loobya'
Potatoses --- battatta
Bread --- khobz
Cacao --- kakaw
75
Lesson Twenty-Nine
Phrases
Yes = na'am
No = laa
Thank you = shokran
Thank you very much = shokran Gazillan
You're welcome = Ala ElRahib Wa ElSaa
Please = Min Fadilak
Excuse me = Ann Eazinak
Hello = Ahalan
Goodbye = Ma'a ElSalama
So long = Wada'an (7349 bytes)
Good morning = Saba'a AlKair
Good afternoon = Masa'a AlKair
Good evening = Masa'a AlKair
Good night = Laila Tiaba
I do not understand = Ana laa Afham
How do you say this in [English]? = Kaif
Takool Thalik Bil[arabia]?
Do you speak ... = Hal Tatakalm...
English = Alingli'zia
French = Alfrinsia
German = Alalmania
Spanish = Alaspania
Chinese = Alssinia
I = Ana
We = Nahono
76
You (singular, familiar) = Anta (m), Anti (f)
You (singular, formal) = Anta (m), Anti (f)
You (plural) = Antom, Antona
They = Hom (m), Hoonna (f)
What is your name? = Ma Ismok?
Nice to meet you. = Sorirart Biro'aitak
How are you? = Kaifa Halok?
Good = Taib/ Bikair
Bad = Saia/ Mosh Bikair
So so = Eaini
Wife = Za'oga
Husband = Za'og
Daughter = Ibna
Son = Ibn
Mother = Om
Father = Ab
Friend = Sadik
Where is the bathroom? Where is the toilet? = Ain
Alhamaam?
zero = Sifer
one = Wahid
two = Ithinin
three = Thalatha
four = Arba'a
five = Kamisa
six = Sita
seven = Saba'a
eight = Thamania
nine = Tisa'a
ten = Ashara
77
eleven = Hidashar
twelve = Itnashar
thirteen = Talatashar
fourteen = Arbatashar
fifteen = Kamastashar
sixteen = Sitashar
seventeen = Sabatashar
eighteen = Tamantashar
nineteen = Tisatashar
twenty = Ishrin
twenty one = Wahid wa Ishrin
thirty = Talatin
forty = Arba'ain
fifty = Kamisin
sixty = Sitin
seventy = Saba'ain
eighty = Tamanin
ninety = Tisain
one hundred = Mia'a
one thousand = Alf
one million = Millio'an
How much does this cost? = Bikam?
What is this? = Ma Hatha?
I'll buy it. = Sa'ashtariha
I would like to buy ... = O'reed ann ashtary
Do you have ... = Hal aindak...
Do you accept credit cards? = Hal takibal
bitakit el aitiman?
Open = Maftouh
Closed = Mogilag
Postcard = Kart Barid
78
Stamps = Ta'wabia
A little = Kalil
A lot = Kathir
All = Kol
Breakfast = iftar
Lunch = Gadaa
Dinner = Ashaa
Vegetarian = Nabati
Please bring the bill. = El Fatora Min Fadilak
Bread = Kobiz
Beverage = Sharab
Coffee = Kahioa
Tea = Shai
Juice = Asir
Water = Ma'a
Beer = Bira
Wine = Khamr
Salt = Malih
Pepper = Filfil
Meat = La'him
Beef = La'him
Pork = La'him kanzir
Fish = Samak
Poultry = Dagag
Vegetable = Kodrawat
Fruit = Fawakih
Potato = Patatis
Salad = Salata
Dessert = Halawia'at
Ice cream = Ice Cream
Where is ...? = Ain ...?
How much is the fare? = Bikam al ogra'a?
79
Ticket = Tathkara
One ticket to ..., please. = tathkara wahida
min fadlik .
Where are you going? = ila ain anta thahib
Where do you live? = ain ta'issh
Train = Kitar
Bus = Autobees
Airport = Matar
Train station = Mahatit Al kitar
Bus station = Mahatit Al Autobees
Departure = Al Mogadara
Arrival = Al oso'ol
Car rental agency = Shirkat Ta'igir Sahiarat
Parking = Mokaf
Hotel = Fondok
Room = Korfa
Reservation = Hagiz
Are there any vacancies for tonight? = Hal
togad Koraf Fadia Al Laila?
No vacancies = La togad Koraf Fariga
Passport = Gawaz Safar
Left = shimal
Right = Yam'ain
Straight = Lilamam
Up = Fook
Down = Tahit
Far = Ba'aid
Near = Karib
Long = Ta'oil
Short = Kaseer
80
Map = Karita
Tourist Information = Mailomat al Sa'ih
Post office = Markaz Barid
Museum = Matihaf
Bank = bank
Police station = Kissam Shorta
Hospital = Mostashifa
Pharmacy, Chemists = Sidali'ia
Store, Shop = Maha'al
Restaurant = Matiam
School = Madrassa
Church = Kanisa
Restrooms = hamam, toilets
Street = Shari
Square = Meedan
Mountain = Gabal
Hill = Tal
Valley = Wadi
Ocean = Mohit
Lake = Bohaira
River = Naher
Swimming Pool = hamam sipaha
Tower = Borg
Bridge = Kobry, Jeser
What time is it? = kam Al sa'aa?
7:13, Seven thirteen = 7:13 Saba'a wa
thalat'a'ashar
3:15, Three fifteen = 3:15 Thalatha wa
Famista'ashar
3:15, A quarter past three = 3:15 Thalatha wa robih
11:30, Eleven thirty = 11:30 Hidashar wa thalathin
11:30, Half past eleven = 11:30 Hidashar wa nosif
81
1:45, One forty-five = 1:45 Wahida wa kamisa
wa Arbai'in
1:45, A quarter till two = 1:45 Ithnin ela robih
Day = youm
Week = Isbo'o
Month = Sahir
Year = Sana'a / Amm
Monday = Al Ithinin
Tuesday = Al Tholatha'a
Wednesday = Al Arbia'a
Thursday = Al Kamis
Friday = Al Gomia'a
Saturday = Al Sabit
Sunday = Al Ahad
January = Yanair
February = Febrair
March = Maris
April = Apreel
May = Mayo
June = Yonia
July = Yolia
August = Aagostos
September = Septamber
October = Octobar
November = Novamber
December = Disamiber
Spring = Al Karif
Summer = Al Sai'if
Fall, Autumn = Al Rabi'a
Winter = Al Shita'a
82
Today = Al youm
Yesterday = Amis
Tomorrow = Bokira
83
Appendix I
Selection from the Quran
(in the name of Allah most gracious most merciful)
Surat Al-Fâtihah
84
.In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.
All the praises and thanks be to Allâh, the Lord of the 'Alamîn (mankind,
jinns and all that exists)
The Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.
85
The Only Owner (and the Only Ruling Judge) of the Day of Recompense
(i.e. the Day of Resurrection).
You (Alone) we worship, and You (Alone) we ask for help (for each and
everything).
Guide us to the Straight Way.
The Way of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace[], not (the
way) of those who earned Your Anger (such as the Jews), nor of those
who went astray (such as the Christians).
86
Appendix II
Muslim lunar months
1. Muharram
2. Safar
3. Rabi al-awwal
4. Rabi al-thani
5. Jumada l-ula
6. Jumada l-akhira
7. Rajab
8. Sha'ban
9. Ramadan
10. Shawwal
11. Dhu al-Qa'da
12. Dhu al-Hijja
87
Appendix III
Dhikr (Remembrance of Allah swt) That Every Muslim Should Know
La ilaha ilAllah - There is no deity (worthy of worship) but (the One)
Allah
Alhamdulilah - All praise is due to Allah. To be said when happy and at
other times. Is recommended to praise Allah (swt) before expressing
gratitude to the people.
As sala'amu alaikum - Peace be upon you. The required greeting a
muslim man should give to another muslim man and that a muslimah
[female muslim] should give another muslimah [when not too shy to be
heard in the presence of men who are not mahram to her]. It is a
recommended sunnah to say this to a muslim, and fard (obligatory) to
reply (i.e. to say "wa laikum as-sala'am").
Bismillah - In the name of Allah. [biss-mih-LAH] What Muslims say
before engaging in most anything, especially before reading Qur'an,
before eating, when entering a room [before entering toilet area, ask for
protection from the male and female jinn], when leaving and entering the
house, etc.
Insha'Allah - If Allah will, If Allah wills it, if it is Allah's will, Allah
willing, in Allah's timing and choosing
And never say of anything, "I shall do such and such thing
tomorrow." Except (with the saying), "If Allâh will!" And
remember your Lord when you forget and say: "It may be that my
Lord guides me unto a nearer way of truth than this." [The Noble
Qur'an Al-Kahf 18:23-24]
The Prophet said, "Solomon (the son of) David said, 'Tonight I
will sleep with seventy ladies each of whom will conceive a child
who will be a knight fighting for Allah's cause.' His companion
said, 'If Allah will.' But Solomon did not say so; therefore none of
those women got pregnant except one who gave birth to a half
child.[i.e. a gay man]" The Prophet further said, "If the Prophet
Solomon had said it (i.e. 'If Allah will') he would have begotten
88
children who would have fought in Allah's cause." Shuaib and Ibn
Abi Az-Zinad said, "Ninety (women) is more correct (than
seventy)." [Bukhari 4:635, Narrated Abu Huraira]
The Prophet said: Do not say: What Allah wills and so and so
wills, but say: "What Allah wills", and then separately "What so
and so wills". [Tirmidhi, Narrated Hudhayfah, Transmitted by
AbuDawud.]
The best among them said: "Did I not tell you: why do you not say:
Insha Allah (If Allah will)." [The Noble Qur'an Al-Qalam 68:28]
Subhana wa ta'ala - This means "Allah is exalted above weakness and
indignity." Sometimes abbreviated as "swt". After saying "Allah" or
"Allah's", etc, the Muslim should give praises to Allah swt with this
phrase or one of many other phrases giving praise to Allah, swt.
Innaa Lillaahi wa innaa ilayhi raaji’oon - Means, "To Allaah we belong
and unto Him is our return." Is said immediately upon hearing of the
death of a Muslim.
or - Salla 'Llahu 'alayhi wa sallam - This means "May
Allah's peace and blessings be upon him" and it should be said after
referring to Muhammad or other prophets. Sometimes abbreviated at
"s.a.a.w.s." or "saaws"
or 'Alayh is'Salam - This means "Peace be upon him" and
it should be said after referring to prophets and angels. Sometimes
abbreviated as "PBUH".
- Radiya 'Llahu 'anhu - This means "May Allah be pleased with
him" and should be said after referring to a male companion.
- Radiya 'Llahu 'anha - This means "May Allah be pleased
with her" and should be said after referring to a female companion.
Radiya 'Llahu 'anhuma - This means "May Allah be pleased with them"
and should be said after referring to two companions.
Radiya 'Llahu 'anhum - This means "May Allah be pleased with them"
and should be said after referring to more than two companions.
Rahimahu 'Llah - (say rah-hee muh hoo-lah). This means "May Allah
have mercy on him" and should be said after referring to a past scholar or
righteous muslim.
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Appendix IV
Islamic Dictionary
English Translation of Arabic words
Abrâr Pious and righteous
Adab Manners
'Adn Paradise
Ahkâm "Orders". According to Islâmic law, thre are
five kinds of orders:
1. Compulsory (Wâjib)
2. Order without obligation (Mustahab)
3. Forbidden (Muharram)
4. Disliked but not forbidden (Makruh)
5. Legal and allowed (Halâl)
'Alamîn Mankind, jinns and all that exists
Ameen / Amîn A supplication meaning, "O Allah, respond
(to or answer what we have said)."
'Aqeedah The belief system that is based upon a firm
conviction in all the fundamentals of faith
and of the Oneness of Allah, i.e. creed
It is derived from the verb aqada meaning to
firmly bind and knot. Whatsoever settles in
the heart in a firm and definitive manner is
said to be that person's aqeedah.
In the technical sense it refers to the
definitive faith and certain ruling that is not
open to any doubt. It is called aqeedah
90
because the person binds his heart upon it.
Auliyâ Friends, protectors, helpers, etc.
Ayât Proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs,
revelations, etc.
Bâtil Falsehood
Bid'a Innovation in ibaddah [worship], to be
avoided
The Prophet, saaws, said: "If anyone
introduces an innovation in the
religion, he will be responsible for it.
(Good or bad). If anyone introduces an
innovation or gives shelter to a man
who introduces an innovation (in the
religion) he is cursed by Allaah, by
His angels and by all the people."
[Dawud]
The Prophet, saaws, said: "Whoever
does an action which we (Allah and
His Messenger) have not commanded
it will be rejected." [Muslim - Sahih]
Is of two types:
1. Bid’a mukaffarah - That which
amounts to kufr and takes a
person out of Islaam.
2. Bid’a mufassaqah - That which
makes a person a faasiq but not
a kaafir.
"In The Name of Allah", to be said by the
Bismillah Muslim before proceeding to do that which
is halal (permissible).
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Da'wah Literally means "call", and in this sense it
refers to calling to the Truth through
preaching and propagation.
Dawat-us- Literally means call of the past, those who
salafiyyah preceded us. This is the spreading of Islam
(also "Dawah in accordance with Qur'an and Sunnah,
Salafi", or "salafi recognizing the understanding of the pious
dawah" although Salaf in this matter as being superior (more
this is an english accurate) than modern ideas and inventions,
transposition of the with an intention to avoid innovation in
two words- [say ibaddah (an all encompassing word for
DOW-uh(t) uh sal- worship, i.e. halal [permissible] acts of
uh-FEE-uh]) submission to Allah swt).
Deen The Way of Life for a Muslim, i.e. religion
Dhu-Mahram A male whom a woman can never marry
because of close relationship (i.e. brother,
father, uncle, etc.) or her own husband
Du'a Supplication and Invocation to Allah,
subhana watala
Dunya This world or life, as opposed to the
Hereafter
Fajarah Wicked evil doers
Fajr The obligatory (faard) salah (prayer) before
sunrise
Fara'id (Faard) Obligatory duties
Fâsiqûn Rebellious, the disobedient to Allah swt
Fiqh The meaning of the word fiqh is
understanding, comprehension, knowledge,
and jurisprudence in Islam. A jurist is called
a Faqih who is an expert in matters of
Islamic legal matters.
A Faqih is to pass verdicts within the rules of
the Islamic Law namely Shariah.
The most famous scholars of Fiqh in the
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history Muslims are the founders of the four
schools of thought in Islam: Imam Malik,
Imam Ash-Shafi'i, Imam Abu Hanifah, and
Imam Ahmad.
Anything or action in Islam falls within the
following five categories of Fiqh:
1. Fardh (Must): This category is a must
for the Muslim to do such as the five
daily prayers. Doing the Fardh counts
as a good deed, and not doing it is
considered a bad deed or a sin.
It is also called Wajib except for Imam
Abu Hanifah who makes Wajib a
separate category between the Fardh
and the Mubah.
2. Mandub (Recommended): This
category is recommended for the
Muslim to do such as extra prayers
after Zuhr and Maghrib. Doing the
Mandub counts as a good deed and not
doing it does not count as a bad deed
or a sin.
3. Mubah (Allowed): This category is
left undecided and left for the person,
such as eating apples or oranges.
Doing or not doing the Mubah does
not count as a good or bad deed.
Intention of the person can change
Mubah to Fard, Mandub, Makruh, or
Haram.
Other things could also change the
status of the Mubah. For example, any
Mubah becomes Haram if it is proven
harmful, and any necessary thing to
fulfill a Fardh is a Fardh too.
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4. Makruh (Hated): This category is a
detested and hated such as growing
very long fingernails or sleeping on
the stomach. Not doing the Makruh
counts as a good deed and doing it
does not count as a bad deed.
5. Haram (Prohibited): This category is
prohibited for the Muslim to do such
as stealing and lying. Doing the haram
counts as a bad deed and not doing it
counts as a good deed.
"Fiqh literally means, the true understanding
of what is intended. An example of this
usage can be found in the Prophet
Muhammad's [saaws] statement?: "To
whosever Allah wished good, he gives the
Fiqh (true understanding) of the deen".
Technically, however, fiqh referes to the
science of deducing Islamic Laws from
evidence found in the sources of Islamic law
Fitnah Polytheism and to disbelieve after one has
believed in Allah, or a trial or a calamity,
affliction or to set up rivals in worship with
Allah, etc.
Fitrah Islamic scholar al-Sayyuti said: "The best
explanation of fitrah is that it is the Sunnah
(way) of all of the Prophets which is in
agreement with (all of) the revealed Laws,
indicating that it is a response to naturally
created inclinations."
Ghaib Unseen
Hadith / Hadeeth Literally means "something new". In Islam,
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refers to that which is attributed to the
Prophet (saaws) as regards words, actions or
tacit approval, physical features and
characteristics
Halal Permissible, lawful
Haraam Prohibited, illegal
Hasan Good or acceptable. Used to indicate
authenticity of some reports
Hijab Literally means Concealing, screening,
protecting and is used to refer to the
mandatory dress of the muslim, male or
female. (Plural is hujub)
The root word of hijab is hajaba and that
means: hajb (to veil), cover, screen, shelter,
seclude (from), to hide, obscure (from sight),
to make imperceptible, invisible, to conceal,
to make or form a separation (a woman), to
disguise, masked, to conceal, hide, to flee
from sight, veil, to veil, conceal, to cover up,
become hidden, to be obscured, to vanish, to
become invisible, disappear from sight, to
veil, to conceal, to withdraw, to elude
perception.
Hajb: seclusion, screening off, keeping
away, keeping off
Hujub: cover, wrap, drape, a curtain, a
woman's veil, screen, partition, folding
screen, barrier
Ihtijab: Concealment, hiddenness,
seclusion, veildness, veiling, purdah
Mahjub: concealed, hidden, veiled
Hijrah Means migration. The Hijrah refers to the
Prophet's migration from Mecca to Madinah.
This journey took place in the twelfth year of
his mission (622 C.E.). This is the beginning
of the Muslim calendar. The word hijrah
means to leave a place to seek sancturary or
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freedom from persecution or freedom of
religion or any other purpose. Hijrah can also
mean to leave a bad way of life for a good or
more righteous way.
Hudud The limits ordained by Allah. This includes
the punishment for crimes.
Iblîs A jinn and shaytaan (satan)
Iftar To break the fast
Iqâmat-as-Salât Offer prayers perfectly
Ilâh Deity, lord, god
Imân (Eemân) Faith
Islam Submission to Allah's Will
Isnad Has two meanings:
1. Ascribing a hadeeth back to the one
who said it - connecting the chain of
narration, and
2. The chain of narrators which reaches
back to the text - which is the same as
"as-sanad"
Istawa Rose over - very important to understand in
context of the ayat
Jahiliyyah Extreme ignorance (jahl) and disbelief.
Often used to describe the era that preceeded
the revelation of the Qur'an, and ignorance in
general.
Jihad To fight and kill in the path of Allah, the
enemies of Allah, for the cause of Allah. It
can also be used to mean to strive in the path
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of Allah.
Jilbaab A loose-fitting garment covering the entire
body, so that the shape of the woman is not
defined but hidden, including covering the
head, face, and hands. (Plural is Jalabib)
Shaikh-ul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah
(Rahimahullah) relates:
"Women used to room about without Cloaks
(Jilbaabs) and men used to see their faces
and hands, but when the verse stating 'O
Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters
and the women of the believers to draw their
cloaks over themselves.' (Surah Al-
Ahzaab,V.59) was revealed, then this was
prohibited and women were ordered to wear
the Jilbaab. ...The word Jilbaab means a
sheet which Ibn Masood (Radhiallaahu
Ánhu) explained as a cloak covering the
entire body including the head, face and
hands. Therefore, it is not permissible for the
women to reveal the face and hands in
public. [Ibn Taymiyyah's book on fatwaas
Page# 110 Vol # 2 also in the book Hijaab
Page # 15]
Jinn A creation of Allah made from smokeless
fire. They are also invited to accept Islam
and will have to give account of their deeds
on the Day of Judgement
Ka'ba A square stone building in Al-Masjid-al-
Haram (the well-known mosque at Makka) .
Muslims line up in prayer facing towards this
direction.
Kafarah Disbelievers in Allah in His Oneness and in
His Messenger Muhammad
Kâfirûn Disbelievers in Allah, in His Oneness, in His
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Angels, in His Books, in His Messengers, in
the Day of Resurrection, in Al-Qadar (Divine
Preordainments, good or bad), etc.
Khabîth evil
Khutbah A speech or sermon. It is sometimes used to
refer to the sermon given during the Friday
congregational prayer.
Kuwwirat Wound round and lost its light and is
overthrown
Laghw Dirty, false, evil vain talk
Madhdhab, Muthab Way, school of thought, direction, manner,
mode. A muslim should not follow a
madhdhab when it contradicts clear proof in
Quran and Sunnah.
Maulâ Lord, Helper, Protector, Supporter, Patron
Mahram A male, whom a woman can never marry
because of close relationship (e.g. a brother,
a father, an uncle etc.); or her own husband
Masjid A place designated for salah. Called
"Mosque" in English.
Minhaj Methodology, e.g. methods, rules, system,
procedures.
Muhsin Good-doer, i.e. performs good deeds totally
for Allah's sake only without any show off or
to gain praise or fame etc., and in accordance
with the Sunna of Allah's Messenger
Muhammed
Munkar Wrong, evil-doing, sins, polytheism,
disbelief, etc.
Mushrikûn Polytheists, pagans, idolaters, disbelievers in
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the ONeness of Allah, those who worship
others along with Allah, and also those who
set up rivals with (or partners to) Allah, swt,
etc.
Mutaffifin Those who give less in measure and weight
(decrease the rights of others)
Mutawattir Literally means "succession, consecutive."
Islamically refers to hadith which is narrated
by such a large number of people that it is
impossible (Allahu Alim) that they have
invented a lie. Its conditions :
1. That it be narrated by a large number
of people. Scholars differ about the
actual number required
2. That this number is found in every
level of the isnaad
3. That it is impossible that they could
have gathered together upon a lie
Muttaqûn Pious and righteous persons who fear Allah
swt much (abstain from all kinds of sins and
evil deeds which Allah has forbidden) and
love Allah much (perform all kinds of good
deeds which Allah has ordained).
Nafs Adam or a person or a soul etc.
Najaassa Impurity
Nawâfil Additional,optional practice of
worshipprayers
Niqab A face cover that is in an affixed position,
i.e. a face veil.
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Qabîluhu Satan's soldiers from the jinns or his tribe
Qadar Decree, Preordainment of Allah's Will. One
of the five pillars of Islam.
Qiblah Prayer Direction (for Muslims, it is to face
the Ka'ba)
Qudsi / Qudsee That which is narrated to us from the Prophet
(saaws) from his Lord, the Exalted and
Mighty.
The difference between it and the Qur’aan -
The most obvious differences are:
1. As for the Qur’aan, then its meaning
and wording is from Allaah and the
hadeeth qudsee, its meaning is from
Allaah and its wording from the
Prophet (saaws).
2. The Qur’aan is recited in Prayer as
part of worship, but the hadeeth
qudsee is not.
3. The Qur’aan is all mutawaatir and the
hadeeth qudsee does not have to be.
Compilations of ahaadeeth qudseeyyah:
"al-Ittihaafaatus-Saniyyah bil
Ahaadeethil Qudseeyyah" - `Abdur-
Ra’oof al-Manaawee, which contains
272 hadeeth.
Sadaqa Deeds of charity done in Allah's (swt) cause
Sahabah Companions of the Prophet
Saheeh / Sahih Literally means "Sound, healthy."
Islamically it refers to the following:
The hadithwhose isnaad is connected
through "just" (‘adl) and precise (daabit)
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narrators from beginning to end, not being
shaadhdh or having a hidden defect (‘illah).
The five conditions :
1. ittisaalus- sanad - - That its isnaad is
connected. That every one of its
narrators heard it directly from the
person he is narrating from, from the
start of the isnaad to the end.
2. al-`adaalah - - That all of its narrators
are ‘adl (just); i.e. Muslim, Of age
(baaligh), Sane (‘aaqil), Not an open
sinner (faasiq), and not having bad
manners and habits (makhroomul
maroo.ah).
3. 3) That all of its narrators are daabit
(precise), which is of two kinds:
o dabtus-sadr - (precision of the
heart) - that he memorises it
correctly and transmits it as he
heard it and that he understands
it if he is reporting its meaning.
o dabtul kitaab - (precision of
writing) - that he correctly
writes it down, preserves it an
makes sure that it is passed on
correctly.
4. `adamush shuthooth - - That it is not
shaadhdh. And the shaadhdh is when
the reliable narrators contradicting
those who are more reliable than him.
5. `adamul `illah - - That it does not
contain (‘illah) hidden weakness. The
‘illah is a non-apparent factor which
affects the authenticity of the hadeeth,
whilst the isnaad appears to be free
from it, e.g. a hidden gap in the isnaad.
If any of these five conditions are not
fulfilled then the isnaad will not be saheeh.
The ruling regarding the saheeh hadeeth:
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It is obligatory to act upon it according
to the consensus of the scholars of
hadeeth and all those whose word is
counted from the scholars of usool and
fiqh. It is a proof in the sharee’ah and
it is not permissible for anyone to
leave off acting upon it.
The most authentic isnaads:
In the view of al-Bukhaari the most
authentic isnaad is: Maalik from
Naafi’ from Ibn ‘Umar. [This isnaad is
known as "silsilatudh-dhahab" (the
chain of gold)].
In the view of Ishaaq ibn Raahawaih
and Ahmad the most authentic is: Az-
Zuhree from Saalim from Ibn `Umar.
In the view of Ibn al-Madeenee and al-
Fallaas it is: Ibn Seereen from
‘Abeedah from ‘Alee.
In the view of Ibn Ma’een it is: Al
A’amash from Ibraaheem An-
Nakha’ee from ‘Alqamah from
`Abdullaah ibn Mas’ood.
In the view of Ibn Abee Shaybah it is:
Az-Zuhree from ‘Alee Ibn al-Husayn
from al-Husayn from ‘Alee.
The first book written to include only the
saheeh:
"Saheehul Bukhaari" which was
followed by "Saheeh Muslim". The
more authentic of the two being
"Saheehul Bukhaari".
Neither al-Bukhaari nor Muslim tried to
gather all of the authentic ahaadeeth in their
books:
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Saheehul Bukhaari contains 7,275
ahaadeeth including repetitions and
about 4,000 without repetitions.
Saheeh Muslim contains about 12,000
with repetitions and about 4,000
without.
Which of the hadeeth of al-Bukhaari and
Muslim have the ruling of being definitely
saheeh?:
Only the hadeeth which they report
with a connected isnaad are so
counted. As for those which are
reported with a narrator or narrators
missing from the start of the isnaad,
then they are termed mu’allaq. al-
Bukhaari often does this in the chapter
headings, but not within the text of his
book. And these narrations are of two
types:
1. That which is reported with
certainty, e.g. he said, he
ordered, he mentioned - then
that is judged to be saheeh from
the person it is narrated from.
2. That reported without certainty,
e.g. it is said that, it is reported
that (using the passive tense),
then that does not carry the
automatic ruling of it being
saheeh.
Salaf Literally means "those (from history) who
precede, have gone before".
Salaf as-Saalih The people of the past, namely the first three
generations of pious muslims during and
after the revelation of the Qur'an, i.e.the
Sahabah (companions) of the Prophet, saaws
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, the Taabi'een (followers) and the Taabi
Taabi'een (followers of the followers).
Islam teaches that As-Salaf as-Saalih (or
"Salaf" as sometimes referred to in short),
are superior in their understanding of the
Revelation of Al-Qu'ran. Generally speaking,
the people present during any event (such as
the revelation of the Quran) will understand
it better than those who read about it later.
The Prophet, saaws, said: "I am
leaving you two things and you will
never go astray as long as you cling to
them -- they are the Book of Allah and
my Sunnah." [Reported by Al-
Haakim - Sahih].
"The best of people is my generation,
then those who come after them, then
those who come after them (i.e. the
first three generations of Muslims)."
[Reported by Bukhari and Muslim-
Mutawaatir].
"My Ummah will not unite upon
error." [Reported by at-Tirmidhee and
Haakim - Sahih]
Salafi Means "of the salaf". The "i" (sounds like
"ee") on the end of the word means "of the",
"of" and/or "are". The word "salafi" can
only be used in association with words that
are of things that are truly from the far past,
and in this case (when refering to Islamic
matters) are truly from the first three
generation of pious muslims.
Salafi dawah An english transposition of "dawah salafi".
(Salafy dawah) See dawat-us-salafiyyah
Salafi muslim There is no such thing as a "salafi muslim"
(muslim of the salaf) in today's time. In order
to be a salaf, you had to live during the first 3
generations during and/or after the revelation
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of the Qur'an. To make a sunnah out of
calling yourself a salafi muslim is to state
that 1) you are of the first three generations
of pious muslims after the revelation of the
Qur'an and 2) you have potential for division
into a sect. One may use the word "Salafi
Muslim" but not make a sunnah/tradition out
of it, as though it is a required part of the
religion.
Those who adhere to dawat-us-salafiyyah
best describe themself as a "Muslim" whose
minhaj (methodology/system) is Qur'an and
Sunnah and madhdhab (way) is that of the
salaf.
Salâmu-'Alaikum Peace be unto you. The greeting between
Muslims. Not to be said to a non-Muslim.
Sheikh (Shaykh) 1. A Muslim over 40 yrs old., or
2. A Muslim who is a student of knowledge.
Even a new Muslim can be called a Sheikh if
he is diligent in seeking the knowledge of
Islam based upon Quran and authentic
Sunnah. He is a Sheikh to those he can teach.
Not to be confused with an Alim (person of
knowledge).
Shi'ah (Shi'ite) Those misguided who call themselves
muslims, yet who hate and curse the
Prophet's Companions and claim them to be
apostates, claim that the Qur'an has been
altered, was incorrectly delivered to
Muhammad , reject the
authentic Sunnah and/or worship the
Prophet's family, peace be upon them.
Shirk To associate partners with Allah in all that is
particular to Allah, from love, hope, fear,
worship, and all other matters that are solely
due to Allah, swt, alone.
Sufi A Muslim who has accepted misguidance by
dividing into a sect of people who worship
graves and saints and claim Divine
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incarnation. Tasawwuf (mystism) has come
to be known as "Sufism" in the west.
SUFI, (The Persian form of the plural being
Sufiyan). A man of the people called Sufiyah
who profess the mystic principle of
Tasawwuf. There is considerable discussion
as to the origin of this word. It is said to be
derived (1) from the Arabic Suf , "wool," on
account of the woollen dress worn by
Eastern ascetics; (2) or from the Arabic Safu,
"purity," with reference to the effort to attain
the metaphysical purity (which is scarcely
probable); (3) or from the Greek, meaning
"wisdom"; (4) or, according to the Ghiyasu'l-
Lughat, it is derived from the Su fah, the
name of the tribe of Arabs who in the "time
of ignorance," separated themselves from the
world, and engaged themselves exclusively
in the service of the Makkah Temple.
From the very days of Muhammad, saaws,
there have been always those who, whilst
they called themselves Muslims, set aside the
literal meaning of the words of Muhammad,
saaws, for a supposed mystic or spiritual
interpretation, and it is generally admitted by
Sufis that one of the great founders of their
system, as found in Islam, was the adopted
son (sic) and son-in-law of the Prophet, 'Ali
ibn Abi Talib. The Sufis themselves admit
that their religious system has always existed
in the world, prior to the mission of
Muhammad, saaws, and the unprejudiced
student of their system will observe that
Tasawwuf, or Sufism, is but a Muslim
adaptation of the Vedanta school of Hindu
philosophers (sic), and which also we find in
the writings of old academics of Greece, and
Sir William Jones thought Plato learned from
the sages of the East.
The Sufis are divided into innumerable sects,
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which find expression in the numerous
religious orders of Darweshes or Faqirs; but
although they differ in name and in some of
their customs, as dress, meditations and
recitations, they are all agreed in their
principal tenets, particularly those which
inculcate the absolute necessity of blind
submission to a murshid, or inspired guide. It
is generally admitted that, quite irrespective
of minor sects, the Sufis are divided into
those who claim to be only the Ilhamiyah, or
inspired of God, and those who assert that
they are Ittihadiyah, or unionist with God
(sic).
Sunni 1. A belief or action that is in accordance
with the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad
.
2. Literally "of the Sunnah".
3. A muslim who has Blind adherence to a
single Imam for all Islamic rulings.
A Muslim who has accepted misguidance by
dividing into a sect which prescribes to only
the madhdhab of a sole Imam and ignoring
the consensus of the salaf when in
contradiction to their chosen Imam (i.e.
Madhdhab Hanafi, Madhdhab Maliki,
Madhdhab Shaffii, Madhdhab Hanabali).
The salaf have instructed Muslims to not pay
heed to errors in their own teaching and the
same should be done with any clear errors in
the teaching of any Imam, past or present.
Tâbi'een Those who met the Companions of the
Prophet and learned from
them.
Tafseer The explanation and understanding of the
Qur'an or just a verse of the Qur'an
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Tâghût Anything worshipped other than Allah, i.e.
all the false deities. It may be shaytaan, jinn,
idols, stones, sun, stars, angels, human
beings e.g. Esau (Jesus), Messengers of
Allah swt, who were falsely worshipped and
taken as Tâghûts. Likewise saints, graves,
rulers, leaders, etc., are falsely worshipped,
and wrongly followed.
Taqleed To blindly follow a person whose following
is not based on proof and does not rely upon
knowledge. Also used to refer to the
acceptance of all sayings of a person without
knowing the evidence for the fatwa (ruling).
Taqwa Ibn Abi Shaibah reports in 'Kitab ul Eman'
that the tabi'ee Talq ibn Habeeb was asked to
define taqwa, so he said, 'Taqwa is acting in
obedience to Allah, hoping for His Mercy,
upon light from Him, and taqwa is leaving
acts of disobedience to Allah out of fear of
Him, upon light from Him.'
Târiq Night-comer, i.e. the bright star
Tayyib All that is good as regards things, deeds,
beliefs, persons, foods, etc.
Walî Protector, Guardian, Supporter, Helper,
Friend etc. [plural 'Auliyâ]
Zakât 2.5% of wealth given yearly; One of the five
pillars (i.e. duties) of a muslim
Zâlimûn Polytheists and wrong-doers and unjust.
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