Learn مَا maa meaning shades and usage with brief notes on its compounds and related words also like ـ أَمْ ـ لَمْ ـ كَمْ ـ إِنَّمَا ـ أَنَّمَا ـ كَأَنَّمَا ـ أَمَّا ـ إِمَّا ـ لَمَّا ـ رُبَمَا ـ كُلَّمَا ـ أَيْنَمَا ـ أَيْنَ مَا ـ حَيْثُ مَا ـ مَهْمَا ـ أَيَّمَا ـ لَوْ مَا ـ إِذَا مَا ـ مَاذَا ـ أَمَّاذَا ـ
See Arabic Particles Meanings series to learn Arabic particles and related words' meanings.
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Post 1st published on : 12th September 2020
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Post's relevant content last edited on : 13th September 2020. Minor correction from an to as at 1 location.
All the credit and all the praises and all the thanks for whatever is good and beneficial in this post and all the other posts, tools, and projects are just for ALLAH, and whatever shortcoming or mistake there is in any of these is due to me, an ordinary slave of ALLAH! and I seek ALLAH's forgiveness and pardon for any shortcomings and mistakes in any of these.
[ Core Meaning shades ]
[ | Modified meaning shades due to context | ]
[ { Meaning shade combined with context } ]
[ (possible translation related to core meaning but not direct translation for the word) ]
[ < translation attempt for each subparticle in a word or word set having مَا other than مَا itself > ]
/ = and or or.
: = previous statement continues to next statement.
0 (n,p,*). Introduction and Core Meaning shades
The core meaning shade of مَا appears to be:
A : pointer / indicator / referer / interface / handle
0.1. A : pointer / indicator / referer / interface : to :
something, with reference to : statement/statements : regarding or related to it. (I can tell you what (just name is enough) this is )
[ [ what , what is ] , | such that , that what , that what is | ]
0.2. A : pointer / indicator / referer / interface : to :
something along with some other : statement/statements : regarding it, with reference to : statement / statements : regarding or related to it. (I can tell you what (name / some statements describing it) this is in my car )
[ what , what is ]
0.3. A : pointer / indicator / referer / interface : to :
statement/statements : regarding or related to something with reference to it. What (statements regarding it e.g. its history or other details regarding it) is May day.
[ what , what is ]
0.4. A : pointer / indicator / referer / interface : to :
something / someone / member of a specie / member of a type: with reference to its : name / label / species name / name of type etc. It was what is a lion
[ what , what is ]
0.5. A : pointer / indicator / referer / interface : to :
the how of something with reference to its quality or epithet etc., i.e. how it is etc. How is the : nature / extent / degree / state / manner : of a quality/condition : in it. Note, focus here is on the how of it and not on the what of it. How (exclamation on his tallness) tall is he!.
[ | how , how...!, how is , how is...! | ]
(Note: how is used due to lesser power in English what as compared to Arabic مَا as in English "what tall is he!" can't be used and "how tall is he!" has to be used, while in Arabic مَا أَطْوَلَهُ is used instead of any other word, while in English how has to be used, though the English word what is also quite suitable for many use cases of مَا .)
0.6. A : pointer / indicator / referer / interface : to :
the how of something with reference to a : state / condition / manner / way : of it. Commonly used with كَ as كَمَا or like how. He wants have a membership, like how (the : way / manner) his friend has a membership.
[ | how | ]
0.7. Sometimes مَا is used in the sense of the fact that or the case that or such that as a : pointer / indicator / referer / interface : to an entire statement or a verb in toto. At some places where a single word usually comes, to use an entire statement, in Arabic we use مَا and in English, the fact that or the case that or such that, depending on context. Moreover, "that" has to be used in many cases while translating, due to the style of English requiring the use of "that" in many such cases e.g. the fact that, the case that etc. Similarly, "is" has to be used in some cases, due to style of English requiring the use of "is" e.g. it is as if, what is, the fact is, the case is etc. Depending on context, "what" or "what is" is used, and similarly for other cases etc.
0.8. For verbs, depending on context, it can be be a : pointer / indicator / referer / interface : to :
i. A verb in toto (as a whole) along with all that is part of the act, e.g. what is "he eating the food".
[ [ what is , what ] , | the fact that , that | ]
ii. The action in the verb only, e.g. what ("action") he did.
[ what ]
iii. The agent of the verb only, e.g. what ("agent") broke it.
[ what ]
iv. The object of the verb only, e.g. what ("object") he ate.
[ what ]
v. The : tool / instrument : of the verb only, e.g. what ("tool") he used to break the glass.
[ [ what ] , | such that | ]
vi. The time of the verb only, e.g. at what ("time") he ate.
[ [ what is , what (time) ] , | when , time | ]
vii. The extent of the verb in terms of duration only, e.g. what ("as long as") he did.
[ [ what , what is (the duration of) ] , | as long as | ]
viii. The extent of the verb in terms of the level / intensity etc. only, e.g. what ("as much as") he did.
[ [ what , what is (the extent of) ] , | as much as | ]
ix. The how of the verb only , e.g. how ("in what manner / way") he did.
[ [ what (manner/way) ] , | how | ]
x. vii and viii or vii and viii and ix together, e.g. what ("as much as and as long as and in the way") he treats you well, you treat him well. What ("as much as and as long as") he treats you well, you treat him well.
[ [ what (as much as and as long as and in the way) , what (as much as and as long as) ] | how , as long as and as much as | ]
0.9. The negative مَا appears to be actually لَامَا in which مَا remains while it retains the meaning of لَامَا or "it is not what is , it is not that , it is not the case that" etc. Further details on this point follows later in this post in the detailed point on this issue.
[ | it is not what is , it is not that , it is not the case that | ]
0.10. A : pointer / indicator / referer / interface : to :
whatever : results or is is encountered : whenever its preceding word (usually conditional) and its next statement, verb or word meet or coincide or cooccur or coexist or hold in parallel. This : pointer / indicator / referer / interface : is with reference to both its preceding word and its next statement. مَهْمَا which is apparently originally مَامَا or whatever or what is what followed by next statement e.g. "what is what you come to us with" or "whatever you come to us with" and أَيْنَمَا or whereever or what is where... and حَيْثُ مَا or wherein ever or what is wherein... أَيَّمَا or whichever or what is which... etc.
[ [ what is ] , | ever | ]
0.11. Sometimes, the word "case" and sometimes the word "that" may also be used for translating مَا depending on context, along with some other possible translation options. This is usually for compounds such as the following with the meaning of the other particle or word in < these > brackets
أَمْ is apparently made from أَ and مَا with the below meaning shades:
[ | < is it > that , < is it > the case, < is it > the case that , < is > the case | , [ < is it > what is ] ] (Note: when أَمْ is used with the 2nd or later case, sometimes "or" has to be added in the translation due to overall context and style of English for using or in such cases.)
The more commonly used أَمَّا follows later below. A lesser used أَمَّا is apparently made from أَمْ and مَا with the below meaning shades:
[ | < is it > that : what is , < is it > that : what , < is it > the case of : what is | ] (Note: when أَمْ is used as the 2nd or later case, sometimes "or" has to be added in the translation due to overall context and style of English for using or in such cases.)
لَمْ is apparently made from لَ and negative مَا with the below meaning shades:
[ [ < it is definitely > not what is , < definitely > not what ] , | < it is definitely > not that , < it is definitely > not the case that | ]
إِمَّا is apparently made from إِنْ and مَا with the below meaning shades:
For single إِمَّا
[ | < in > case , < if > it is that , < if > the case is that , < if > it is the case that , < if > the case be that | ]
For 2 or more إِمَّا combined meaning shade for each إِمَّا
[ { it can be , it can be the case } ]
أَمَّا is apparently made from أَنْ and مَا with the below meaning shades:
[ combined meaning shade : { as for } , separate meaning shade : [ < that > what is ] ]
0.12. Another unique usage of مَا as a : pointer / indicator / referer / interface : to : amount / quantity / length / duration: is in كَمْ which is apparently made from كَ and مَا and the combined translation attempts for the merged word are depending on context
[ { how many , how much , how long } ]
while the separate translation attempts are
[ < like > | what quantity , what amount , what length , what duration | ]
There can be the pure question sense when you ask some one "how many people participated in the fight?" , i.e. addressee is asked to tell the amount and in this sense sometimes the speaker knows the amount but tests the addressee and sometimes speaker doesn't know the amount and asks the addressee to tell, and the other is the informative with the added sense of making the addressee consider, ponder over the amount or quantity or length along with the matter discussed afterwards, and make some related logical deductions or reconsider the matter or take it more seriously e.g. "how many people participated in the fight". This amount is usually known to both the speaker and the addressee.
Note that literal statements "like what amount", "like what quantity" etc. are also used in English.
0.13. The main use types of مَا include:
i. General statement, e.g. this is what he did.
ii. Question statement, e.g. what did he do?
iii. Conditional statement, e.g. what he does for you, you do for him.
iv. Negative statement with inherent لَا also with مَا , e.g. it is not what is , it is not that , it is not the case that etc.
v. Exclamatory statement, e.g. how tall is he!
0.14. What or مَا when used for beings instead of who or مَنْ may refer to:
i. The being + attributes / epithets instead of being only as in who e.g. "select what (players + their skills) you like from this set for your team" vs "select who (players only) you like from this set for your team".
ii. It may be to make a general statement in which it is intended to keep it more general (maybe due to addressee's state of mind (not ideal to directly go to who, and 1st start with what), or due to other things in context which are also discussed with this matter, and when what is used for these things, what is also used instead of who for the being also) etc.
iii. Similarly, there can be other reasons for choosing what over who, and the purpose of mentioning this is to indicate that when someone says what, you can't say to him just because some derived a grammar for this language based on common usage or his created rules that, "No!!, you meant who here and not what", while what we find written or spoken by the author or speaker is what and not who.
0.15. A further note on this interface role of مَا
When rules don't allow some words to occurr together e.g. verb with verb or إِنَّ with verb etc., then مَا can be used as the interface or handle which allows to do so i.e. verb via مَا with another verb. It is a very convenient tool, a 1 word tool as the interface or placeholder. Similarly at places where a word is usually used, we can use an entire statement conveniently using مَا as مَا takes the impact of the other word or statement and conveniently points or refers to the entire target statement in turn.
0.16. I will not use the grammatical terminology used in most of the books, which is based on equating مَا with اَلَّذِى or the one who / the one which etc. or الشَّيْء or the thing or شَيْء a thing or أَيُّ شَيْء or which thing etc. as this equating thing confused even the equators as can be seen in the books where they themselves can't decide with certainty which of these is applicable and they have ended up giving multiple possibilities for some cases.
1 (n). Maa مَا is used as:
A : pointer / indicator / referer / interface : to :
something, with reference to : statement/statements : regarding or related to it.
[ [ what , what is ] , | such that , that what , that what is | ]
وَءَاتَيْنَـٰهُ مِنَ ٱلْكُنُوزِ مَآ إِنَّ مَفَاتِحَهُۥ لَتَنُوٓأُ بِٱلْعُصْبَةِ أُوْلِى ٱلْقُوَّةِ
and We gave him of[مِنْ] the treasures what, indeed its keys definitely will weigh down with the bunch: the ones of[إِضَافَة] strength
and We gave him of[مِنْ] the treasures such that, indeed its keys definitely will weigh down with the bunch: the ones of[إِضَافَة] strength
(Translation attempts for Words from The Qur'an 28:76)
Note that the style of writing of[مِنْ] is a new idea used only in 1 Ayah in this post to test the translation attempt style for cases where more than 1 Arabic words or arrangements have same English translation due to context and style of English.
وَنُنَزِّلُ مِنَ ٱلْقُرْءَانِ مَا هُوَ شِفَآءٌ وَّرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
And We Transmitted down of The Qur'an what: it is a healing and a mercy for the believers
And We Transmitted down of The Qur'an that what: it is a healing and a mercy for the believers
(Translation attempts for Words from The Qur'an 17:82)
2 (n). Maa مَا is used as:
A : pointer / indicator / referer / interface : to :
something along with some other : statement/statements : regarding it, with reference to : statement / statements : regarding or related to it.
[ what , what is ]
وَمَا تِلْكَ بِيَمِينِكَ يَـٰمُوسَىٰ
and what is that in your right hand, O Moosaa!? (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 20:17)
Note: ALLAH already Knew all the details and the question just encouraged Moosaa (peace be upon him) to tell its label and its usages etc. according to him.
3 (n). Maa مَا is used as:
A : pointer / indicator / referer / interface : to :
statement/statements : regarding or related to something with reference to it.
[ what , what is ]
ٱلْقَارِعَةُ مَا ٱلْقَارِعَةُ
The Striking Blow. What is the Striking Blow? (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 101:1-2)
4 (n). Maa مَا is used as:
A : pointer / indicator / referer / interface : to :
something / someone / member of a specie / member of a type: with reference to its : name / label / species name / name of type etc.
[ what , what is ]
إِنَّ اللّٰهَ لَا يَسْتَحْىِۦٓ أَن يَّضْرِبَ مَثَلًا مَّا بَعُوضَةً فَمَا فَوْقَهَا
Indeed ALLAH does not spare from bringing to mention a metaphor of what is a mosquito and then what is over it. (even upper levels to it in terms of apparent : insignificance / smallness etc)
Indeed ALLAH does not spare from bringing to mention a metaphor of what is a mosquito and onwards what is over it. (even upper levels to it in terms of apparent : insignificance / smallness etc)
(Translation attempts for Words from The Qur'an 2:26)
Note : literal translation for لَا يَسْتَحْىِۦٓ أَن يَّضْرِبَ "does not spare that HE brings to mention" is not used, just because common usage in English for spare may give an opposite sense. So it has been replaced by "does not spare from bringing to mention" in which common usage in English also gives the required sense.
5 (n). Maa مَا is used as:
A : pointer / indicator / referer / interface : to :
A verb in toto (as a whole) along with all that is part of the act.
[ [ what is , what ] , | the fact that , that | ]
ٱصْلَوْهَا ٱلْيَوْمَ بِمَا كُنْتُمْ تَكْفُرُونَ
Fuel it today in connection with the fact that you had been doing كُفْر
Fuel it today in connection with what is: you had been doing كُفْر
Fuel it today what with you had been doing كُفْر
(Translation attempts for Words from The Qur'an 36:64)
Fuel (verb): be burning material for.
كُفْر translation attempt : Covering up (belief / thankfulness etc.). Covering up (the natural inclination to be receptive to the Qur'an and Islam). Covering up (the receptiveness to The Qur'an and Islam).
what with is also used in English in the sense of : "owing to / due to / because of / as a result of / as a consequence of", though in English the word order is reversed.
أَثُمَّ إِذَا مَا وَقَعَ ءَامَنْتُمْ بِهِۦ
Is it further when, that it has befallen, you believed in it?
Is it further on when, that it has befallen, you believed in it?
(Translation attempts for Words from The Qur'an 10:51)
6 (n). Maa مَا is used as:
A : pointer / indicator / referer / interface : to :
The action in the verb only.
[ what ]
وَاللّٰهُ عَلِيمٌ بِمَا يَفْعَلُونَ
and ALLAH is Ever Knowing in connection with what you(plural) are doing (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 24:41)
Note that عَلِيمٌ بِمَا is pronounced عَلِيمُۢ بِمَا but since in many mobile internet browsers, it is not displayed properly, so I have written without the small م above the مُ
7 (n). Maa مَا is used as:
A : pointer / indicator / referer / interface : to :
The agent of the verb only.
[ what ]
وَمَآ أَصَـٰبَكُم مِّن مُّصِيبَةٍ فَبِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِيكُمْ
and what befalls you of a befaller then it is in connection with what your hands have acquired. (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 42:30)
8 (n). Maa مَا is used as:
A : pointer / indicator / referer / interface : to :
The object of the verb only.
[ what ]
وَٱلَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِمَآ أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْكَ وَمَآ أُنْزِلَ مِنْ قَبْلِكَ
and those who believe in what is sent down to you and what was sent down from before you (Translation attempt for words from The Qur'an 2:4)
9 (n). Maa مَا is used as:
A : pointer / indicator / referer / interface : to :
The : tool / instrument : of the verb only.
[ [ what ] , | such that | ]
فَيَتَعَلَّمُونَ مِنْهُمَا مَا يُفَرِّقُونَ بِهِۦ بَيْنَ ٱلْمَرْءِ وَزَوْجِهِۦ
then they learned from them(2) what, they make separation with it, between the man and his spouse
then they learned from them(2) such that, they make separation with it, between the man and his spouse
(Translation attempts for Words from The Qur'an 2:102)
10 (n). Maa مَا is used as:
A : pointer / indicator / referer / interface : to :
The time of the verb only.
[ [ what is , what (time) ] , | when , time | ]
كُلَّمَآ أَضَآءَ لَهُم مَّشَوْاْ فِيهِ
Everywhen it illuminated for them, they moved about naturally in it
Every what is, it illuminated for them, they moved about naturally in it
Everytime, it illuminated for them, they moved about naturally in it
(Translation attempts for Words from The Qur'an 2:20)
they moved about naturally مَشَوْاْ translation attempt: They moved about naturally. They moved from place to place using the body's natural way of moving about. For humans, this means moving about by foot.
Note: Everywhen is also used in English in a similar sense, though this usage is not very common these days.
11 (n). Maa مَا is used as:
A : pointer / indicator / referer / interface : to :
The extent of the verb in terms of duration only.
[ [ what , what is (the duration of) ] , | as long as | ]
وَكُنْتُ عَلَيْهِمْ شَهِيدًا مَّا دُمْتُ فِيهِمْ
and I had been over them a witness what I lasted in the midst of them
and I had been over them a witness as long as I lasted in the midst of them
(Translation attempts for Words from The Qur'an 5:117)
12 (n). Maa مَا is used as:
A : pointer / indicator / referer / interface : to :
The extent of the verb in terms of the level / intensity etc. only.
[ [ what , what is (the extent of) ] , | as much as | ]
وَأَعِدُّواْ لَهُم مَّا ٱسْتَطَعْتُمْ
and make ready for them what you(plural) could
and make ready for them as much as you(plural) could
(Translation attempts for Words from The Qur'an 8:60)
13 (n). Maa مَا is used as:
A : pointer / indicator / referer / interface : to :
The how of the verb only.
[ [ what (manner/way) ] , | how | ]
وَٱلسَّمَآءِ وَمَا بَنَىٰهَا
By the heaven and how He built it (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 91:5)
14 (n). Maa مَا is used as:
A : pointer / indicator / referer / interface : to :
as much as and as long as of the verb or as much as and as long as and how of the verb
[ [ what (as much as and as long as and in the way) , what (as much as and as long as) ] | how , as long as and as much as | ]
فَمَا ٱسْتَقَـٰمُواْ لَكُمْ فَٱسْتَقِيمُواْ لَهُمْ
So what they tasked themselves to be upright for you(plural), then you(plural) task yourselves to be upright for them
So : as long as and as much as : they tasked themselves to be upright for you(plural), then you(plural) task yourselves to be upright for them
(Translation attempts for Words from The Qur'an 9:7)
15 (n,p). Maa مَا is used in:
the interrogative sense whether it is a real question or a question for some other purpose
[ what , what ... ? , what is , what is ... ? ]
إِذْ قَالَ لِأَبِيهِ وَقَوْمِهِۦ مَا تَعْبُدُونَ
When he said to his father and his قَوْم , "What are you (plural) doing عِبَادَة of?" (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 26:70)
قَوْم translation attempt: Group of people having a common stand in terms of a : belief / location / community etc.
عِبَادَة translation attempt : being or rendering oneself : submissive slave to someone. In other words, being or rendering oneself : subdued / subjugated / lowered / lowly / submissive : and : obedient / subservient / acquiescent / compliant etc. to someone. This can be depending on context and allotted potential, be by : make / situation : or by choice or by both.
16 (n,p). Maa مَا is used in:
the conditional sense which is called in grammar books ما الشرطية and when it is followed by فعل مضارع or imperfect verb, this verb is مجزوم
[ what ]
مَّا يَفْتَحِ اللّٰهُ لِلنَّاسِ مِن رَّحْمَةٍ فَلَا مُمْسِكَ لَهَا
What ALLAH Opens for the humans of Mercy, then there is no witholder for it (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 35:2).
17 (p,n). Regarding ما النافية or ما of negation, FL of Arabic Particles Quick Study Tool gives 2 options for the possible usage of negative مَا the 1st of which does not seem probable which is that it is made by substituting م for ل of لَا or for ن of نَا to give this negative sense.
The 2nd option appears quite strong and probable in my opinion also, that it is originally مَا and لَا togrether as 1 word, the author of the book FL linked in AP tool restricting this further to only مَا موصولة and لَا نافية . From مَالَا or what is not is or rather more probably from لَامَا or it is not what is, it is not that, it is not the case that (and other similar translations depending on context) to مَا alone but retaining the meaning shade of لَامَا . Something similar is done by Assyrians also. Similar is done in French for the word "personne", i.e. the word "personne" is used for "person" and the same word "personne" is used for "no person" i.e. "non personne" to "personne" but retaining the meaning of "non personne" due to absorption of the meaning shade of non also into personne for some contexts. So, depending on context, it is decided whether it is "personne" is in the meaning shade of "personne" only or "non personne". Similarly in Arabic, depending on context, it is decided whether مَا is originally مَا alone or it was originally the word لَامَا which was later replaced by the usage of مَا alone with the added meaning shade of its merger with لَا regarding which we may also say that لَا was absorbed into مَا thus resulting in what the grammarians call مَا النافية and this is the option which seems most probable in my opinion from the 3 possible options.
In logic, a symbol ¬ or not is used for it is not the case . We can understand the negative مَا better by considering it, since negative مَا can also negate entire statements like the ¬ e.g. to negate the entire statement "Australia is the largest continent in the world" we can write "it is not the case that" "Australia is the largest continent in the world" or "¬ Australia is the largest continent in the world".
Another opinion given in the book التطور النحوي للغة العربية available for download via Qur'an Concordance Post for possible reason for the usage of مَا in negative sense is that it is originally مَا الاستفهامية which is taken to negative sense in مَا النافية by conversion of the interrogative sense to the negative sense. In English also we may use "what" in negative sense , e.g. when you say in English, have you seen the car, and the response is what car? i.e. no car to the extent of not even expecting that there would be some car. Another sense for using interrogative in negative sense is when someone says, "what true generals do Muslims have these days?", else Muslims wouldn't be in such a persecuted state worldwide, i.e. no true Muslim generals exist anymore. This option also does not seem probable due to the widespread usage of مَا النافية and many examples where this opinion seems too far fetched. It may explain some examples but not all examples. Specially the bigger or more complex statements.
لَامَا to مَا with implied لَا also
[ [ it is not what is (that) ] , | it is not that , it is not the case that | ]
وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ وَمَا صَلَبُوهُ
and it is not that they killed him and it is not that they crucified him
and it is not the case that they killed him and it is not the case that they crucified him
(Translation attempts for Words from the Qur'an 4:157)
In some cases ما النافية is also used with a خبر منصوب or predicate in accusative case.
مَّا هُنَّ أُمَّهَـٰتِهِمْ
it is not that they(feminine plural) are as their mothers.
it is not the case that they(feminine plural) are as their mothers.
(Translation attempts for Words from The Qur'an 58:2)
Where as is not in the sense of like, but in the sense of role / state / condition etc. as أُمَّهَـٰتِ is مَنْصُوب or accusative, and in this case a role is negated, which we could atempt to translate as "it is not that ' they are as their mothers' ", and instead of negating the statement in toto if it were مَرْفُوع or nominative we could have attempted to translate that case as "it is not that 'they are their mothers' ".
18 (n,*). Regarding what is called ما التعجبية in grammar books. After research, in which multiple PDFs and online material was consulted quickly 1 after the other, my conclusion is that أَفْعَلَ in مَا أَفْعَلَهُ is a noun, as claimed by the Kufan Gramarrians, and is not a verb, as claimed by the Basran Grammarians.
In my opinion, the accusative case of both أَفْعَلَ and هُ may indicate that these words are with the effect of exclamation. Exclamation on an : established / firmly fixed / ingrained : quality / trait / feature : in someone. Exclamation may be for retention of the trait in a circumstance or situation in which the trait should not continue, or retention of the trait over an upcoming situation or event over which this trait should not continue, or exclamation may be for the intensity or level of the established trait in someone. This may be a positive trait or a negative trait. Wonder usually used for such use cases by many scholars and teachers today, is too limited a word and could have been used if all such exclamations were only for positive traits. Both the examples used in The Qur'an are for negative traits and both the examples are given in this point. The مَا for this use case is translated as how! as in English what! is usually not used in this use case. Moreover, a detailed post on accusative case may be done in the future إِنْ شَآءَ اللّٰهُ that will إِنْ شَآءَ اللّٰهُ show that accusative case has many uses and use cases. For now you may consult the 1st or 2nd book in AP5 quick study tool in Arabic.
[ | how , how...!, how is , how is...! | ]
قُتِلَ ٱلْإِنْسـٰنُ مَآ أَكْفَرَهُۥ
The human is killed, how established in كُفْر is he! (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 80:17)
كُفْر translation attempt : Covering up (belief / thankfulness etc.). Covering up (the natural inclination to be receptive to the Qur'an and Islam). Covering up (the receptiveness to The Qur'an and Islam).
Note that اَلْ in ٱلْإِنْسـٰنُ is the meaning shade : "It is used to specify a specific : type / genus / species : as a whole. This is different from saying all members of this type." See this post for more details.
فَمَآ أَصْبَرَهُمْ عَلَى ٱلنَّارِ
So how established in صَبْر are they over the fire! (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 2:175)
صَبْر translation attempt : manifestation of a : tranquil / calm / composed / grounded / patient / steadfast : state, free from : worry / grief / sorrow / regret / agitation / uneasiness / complaining etc. in the face of what befalls or has befallen.
Here are a few important points which led to this conclusion. Decision was based on actual text of examples, and not speculative assumptions frequent in interfaith and sectarian discussions, where to prove a point, some people start from their decision in advance and then mould the text's interpretation accordingly without any evidence that they can do so as they never confirmed or can confirm the newly created assumptions from the one whose statement they are moulding i.e. what we have is the statement of someone, what they do is that they say that the statement is not what it looks like, but the one who made the statement actually meant something that is different from what the statement apparently looks like.
a. An example مَا أَعْظَمَ اللّٰهَ is given in grammar books, for which tranlation attempt based on my view and Kufan view that أَعْظَمَ is a noun is : "How Ever Established in Great Significance is ALLAH!" where "Ever" in the translation attempt is the additional word just because of the Being Whose Established Trait is mentioned. Literal translation for it based on Basran grammarians' view will be blasphemous and I won't even attempt it here and the Basrans themselves don't interpret these examples literally. Here I present a hypothetical opinion to show a literal translation based on Basran view. مَا أَشْكَرَ زَيْدًا What has : caused / made : Zaid to be thankful!. Now another thing to note is that if we ponder deeper on this view, the exclamation seems to be more for the causer or cause than the one actually mentioned, for the verb based interpretation.
b. A well known rule is that the و or ى as ع of root in the noun pattern أَفْعَل are retained while in verb pattern أَفْعَلَ they become ا
In usage in this sense, we find مَا أَقْوَمَهُ translation attempt: " how established in uprightness is he!"", instead of مَا أَقَامَهُ translation attempt: "what made him upright!".
c. Example of usage of diminutive form is found in books and diminutive is for noun and not for verb e.g. as can be seen in the poetic verse يَامَا أُمَيْلِحَ غِزْلَانًا شَدَنَّ لَنَا where diminutive of أَمْلَح i.e أُمَيْلِح is used i.e مَا أُمَيْلِحَ غِزْلَانًا is used, instead of مَا أَمْلَحَ غِزْلَانًا
d. Almost all English translations today are closer to the Kufan view and not the Basran view. e.g. see translations from The Qur'an 2:175 and 80:17. At the same time, most grammar books support the Basran view, yet when translation is seen from a literal angle, it appears closer to the Kufan view.
الرازي in tafsir مفاتيح الغيب presents 10 arguments of Kufan grammarians against the Basran grammarians' view, but I am not going into those as the evidences I have quoted suffice for this post for the unbiased reader.
I think this is enough for this post. In short, evidences in the statement itself and examples of usage in language are stronger than rules made later and the assertion to not take the statement literally and to make the statement compliant to some rules, without any permission to do so by the one who uttered the statement, without the slightest hint in the book in which the statement was originally found that it is possible to do so.
19 (n). What or مَا when used for beings instead of who or مَنْ may refer to:
i. The being + attributes / epithets instead of being only.
ii. It may be to make a general statement in which it is intended to keep it more general
iii. Similarly, there can be other reasons for choosing what over who.
The above 3 points are elaborated in more detail in core meaning shades point for this usage.
وَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَلَّا تُقْسِطُواْ فِى ٱلْيَتَـٰمَىٰ فَٱنْكِحُواْ مَا طَابَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلنِّسَآءِ مَثْنَىٰ وَثُلَـٰثَ وَرُبَـٰعَ
and if you(plural) fear that you will not be just in (the matter of) the orphans, then you(plural) marry what suited to you of the women, in twos and in threes and in fours. (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 4:3)
where مَا or what is a : pointer / indicator / referer / interface : to the woman or women depending on context and varying from person to person, with reference to and meeting the criteria of the statement "suited to you of the women, in twos and in threes and in fours". Apparently مَا here is a : pointer / indicator / referer / interface : to not only the beings i.e. women, but beings+ attributes, i.e. women with the attributes via which they are suitable. Moreover via مَا instead of مَنْ the statement is more general.
لِلّٰهِ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ
For ALLAH is what is in the heavens and the earth (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 2:284)
where مَا is more general than مَنْ and مَا is a : pointer / indicator / referer / interface : to all the whos and whats with reference to and which meet the statement "in the heavens and the earth". If مَنْ was used, it would have been a pointer / indicator / referer / interface : to the whos and not the whats. Note that in some cases pointing to the whos directly also indirectly includes the whats in some cases in Arabic, as in some cases, pointing to the males directly also includes the females indirectly in some cases in Arabic.
مَنْ
20 (n,p). According to some including me مَنْ is made from مَا by adding tanween to it and then replacing tanween with ن i.e مَا to مًا to مَنْ and مَنْ is a more specific : pointer / indicator / referer / interface : to beings, unlike مَا which is a more general purpose : pointer / indicator / referer.
[ who , who is , who are , ( he / they / those / one / ones etc.:) who ]
where he / they / those / one / ones etc. are just due to limitation of English, though in my translation, I have tried to keep it more literal.
وَمِنْهُم مَّنْ يُؤْمِنُ بِهِۦ
and of them are: who believe in it (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 10:40)
21 (n,p). Maa مَا is used with a prefixed بِ as
A : pointer / indicator / referer / interface : to :
the connected cause / reason mentioned after it, for a verb or statement mentioned before it it.
[ [ what < with > , < in connection with > what is ] , | < in connection with > the fact that | ]
ٱصْلَوْهَا ٱلْيَوْمَ بِمَا كُنْتُمْ تَكْفُرُونَ
Fuel it today in connection with the fact that you had been doing كُفْر
Fuel it today in connection with what is: you had been doing كُفْر
Fuel it today what with you had been doing كُفْر
(Translation attempts for Words from The Qur'an 36:64)
Fuel (verb): be burning material for.
كُفْر translation attempt : Covering up (belief / thankfulness etc.). Covering up (the natural inclination to be receptive to the Qur'an and Islam). Covering up (the receptiveness to The Qur'an and Islam).
what with is also used in English in the sense of : "owing to / due to / because of / as a result of / as a consequence of", though in English the word order is reversed.
22 (n). Maa مَا is used with a prefixed بِ as
A : pointer / indicator / referer / interface : to :
the : accompanying / parallel : fact mentioned after it, for a verb or statement mentioned before it it.
[ [ < with > what is (that) , < with > what is: ] , | < with / (despite / along with / parallel with) > : the fact that | ]
وَضَاقَتْ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْأَرْضُ بِمَا رَحُبَتْ
and the earth became constricted upon them, with the fact that it was spacious. (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 9:25)
23 (n,p). Interrogative maa مَا is also used with بِ
Note that بِمَ is apparently made from بِ and interrogative مَا or مَا الاستفهامية which became مَ as it does when prepositions are prefixed to interrogative مَا
[ < with / in > : what ]
بِمَ يَرْجِعُ ٱلْمُرْسَلُونَ
with what return the مُرْسَلُون (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 27:35)
مُرْسَلُون translation attempt : the ones sent with something (e.g. message, guidance, instructions, gift, etc.)
24 (n). Maa مَا is used with a prefixed فِى as
a : pointer / indicator / referer / interface : to :
the circumstances in which : someone / something : is.
[ < in > what, < in > what (circumstances) ]
قَالُواْ فِيمَ كُنْتُمْ
they said, "in what (circumstances) were you(plural) : being / existing?"
they said, "in what (circumstances) you(plural) happened to be?"
(Translation attempts for Words from The Qur'an 4:97)
Note that فِيمَ is apparently made from فِى and interrogative مَا or مَا الاستفهامية which became مَ as it does when prepositions are prefixed to interrogative مَا
25 (n). Maa مَا is used with a prefixed فِى as
a : pointer / indicator / referer / interface : to :
the concern in which someone is, or should not be and is not meant to be.
[ < in > what, < in > what (concern) , { wherein } ]
فِيمَ أَنْتَ مِنْ ذِكْرَىٰهَآ
in what (concern) are you from bringing it to attention ? (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 79:43)
26 (n,p). Maa مَا is used with a prefixed لِ as
a : pointer / indicator / referer / interface : to :
the purpose / cause / reasons for a verb mentioned after it.
[ < for > what, < for > what (purpose / cause / reasons / ) , { why } ]
لِمَ تَقُولُونَ مَا لَا تَفْعَلُونَ
why do you(plural) say what you(plural) don't do? (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 61:2)
Note that لِمَ is apparently made from لِ and interrogative مَا or مَا الاستفهامية which became مَ as it does when prepositions are prefixed to interrogative مَا
27 (n). Interrogative maa مَا is also used with a postfixed لِ as
a : pointer / indicator / referer / interface : to :
the issue for someone or something, in the view of the speaker, whether it is actually an issue in reality also or not.
[ what < for > , what is (the issue) < for > , what is < to > ]
(Note: what for and what is the issue for are also used in English.)
وَقَالُواْ مَالِ هَـٰذَا ٱلرَّسُولِ يَأْكُلُ ٱلطَّعَامَ وَيَمْشِى فِى ٱلْأَسْوَاقِ
and they said, " what is to this messenger, he eats the food and moves about naturally* in the markets..."
and they said, " what for, this messenger, he eats the food and moves about naturally* in the markets..."
and they said, " what is (the issue) for this messenger, he eats the food and moves about naturally* in the markets..."
(Translation attempts for Words from the Qur'an 25:7)
*moves about naturally يَمْشِى translation attempt: Moves about naturally. Moves from place to place using the body's natural way of moving about. For humans, this means moving about by foot.
28 (n). Interrogative maa مَا is also used with a following لِ as
a : pointer / indicator / referer / interface : to :
the issue for someone or something, in the view of the speaker, whether it is actually an issue in reality also or not.
This point is slightly different from the point preceding it since previous point was on مَالِ while this point is on مَا لِ
[ what is (the issue) < for > , what is < to > ]
وَمَا لَكُمْ لَا تُقَـٰتِلُونَ فِى سَبِيلِ اللّٰهِ
and what is to you, you are not mortally fighting in The Way of ALLAH
and what is (the issue) for you, you are not mortally fighting in The Way of ALLAH
(Translation attempts for Words from The Qur'an 4:75)
*mortally fighting : fighting in a deadly / fatal / mortal manner. i.e. a fighting involving the potential to kill and be killed.
29 (n,p). Interrogative maa مَا is also used with عَنْ
Note that عَمَّ is apparently made from عَنْ and interrogative مَا or مَا الاستفهامية which became مَ as it does when prepositions are prefixed to interrogative مَا
[ < regarding / about > : what ]
عَمَّ يَتَسَآءَلُونَ
Regarding what are they asking one another? (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 78:1)
30 (n). Maa مَا is used with a prefixed مِنْ i.e مِمَّا as
a : pointer / indicator / referer / interface : to :
the origin / source / cause: mentioned after it, for a statement or verb mentioned after this : origin / source / cause or for a statement or verb mentioned before this مِمَّا
[ [ < coming from / out of / originating from > : what : is / are ] ]
مِّمَّا خَطِيٓــَٔـٰتِهِمْ أُغْرِقُواْ فَأُدْخِلُواْ نارًا
coming from what are their mistakes, they were caused to drown and then were caused to enter a fire (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 71:25)
31 (n,p). Interrogative maa مَا is also used with مِنْ
Note that مِمَّ is apparently made from مِنْ and interrogative مَا or مَا الاستفهامية which became مَ as it does when prepositions are prefixed to interrogative مَا
[ < from / of > : what ]
مِمَّ خُلِقَ
from what he was created (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 86:5)
32 (n,p) مَا is also used as a : pointer / indicator / referer / interface : to :
the how of something with reference to a : state / condition / manner / way : of it. Commonly used with a prefixed كَ as كَمَا or like how.
[ | < like > how | , { as } (combined translation for كَمَا ) ]
وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ ءَامِنُواْ كَمَآ ءَامَنَ ٱلنَّاسُ
and when it is said to them, "believe like how the people have believed..." (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 2:13)
33 (n) مَا is also used as a : pointer / indicator / referer / interface : to :
the corresponding : fact / cause / justification: for what is mentioned before it. Used with a prefixed كَ as كَمَا
[ { as } (combined translation for كَمَا ) , | < corresponding to > the fact that | , [ < corresponding to > what is ]
وَقُل رَّبِّ ٱرْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِى صَغِيرًا
and say, "My Maintaining-Lord, Have Mercy on them2 as they2 expanded me as a small one".
and say, "My Maintaining-Lord, Have Mercy on them2 corresponding to the fact that they2 expanded me as a small one".
(Translation attempts for Words from The Qur'an 17:24)
كَمْ
34 (n) Another unique usage of مَا as a : pointer / indicator / referer / interface : to : amount / quantity / length / duration: is in كَمْ which is apparently made from كَ and مَا
[ { how many , how much , how long } (combined translation) , | < like > what quantity , what amount , what length , what duration | ]
Literal statements "like what amount", "like what quantity" etc. are also used in English.
There can be the pure question sense when you ask some one "how many people participated in the fight?" , i.e. addressee is asked to tell the amount and in this sense sometimes the speaker knows the amount but tests the addressee and sometimes speaker doesn't know the amount and asks the addressee to tell, and the other is the informative with the added sense of making the addressee consider, ponder over the amount or quantity or length along with the matter discussed afterwards, and make some related logical deductions or reconsider the matter or take it more seriously e.g. "how many people participated in the fight". This amount is usually known to both the speaker and the addressee.
Example for question sense. In the below example, The Speaker i.e. ALLAH Knows Perfectly and even Knows the answer and knowledge of the addressee and is just asking from the addresee to teach him the correct answer and also to make this a learning experience for the addressee. And ALLAH Knows the Exact Truth!
قَالَ كَمْ لَبِثْتَ
and He said, "how long have you stayed?" (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 2:259)
Example for informative case with the usage of a following مِنْ to specify the thing for which the quantity, amount or duration is mentioned.
كَمْ تَرَكُواْ مِنْ جَنَّـٰتٍ وَّعُيُونٍ
How many they(plural) left of gardens and springs.
(Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 44:25)
35 (n). In addition to some examples of special of usage of مَا with prepositions, in this point I am quoting examples of usage of prepositions and مَا in their common and core meaning shades.
[ what , what is ]
وَٱلَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِمَآ أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْكَ وَمَآ أُنْزِلَ مِنْ قَبْلِكَ
and those who believe in what is sent down to you and what was sent down from before you (Translation attempt for words from The Qur'an 2:4)
وَلَا تُسْئَلُونَ عَمَّا كَانُواْ يَعْمَلُونَ
and you(plural) will not be questioned regarding what they had been working (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 2:134)
وَشِفَآءٌ لِّمَا فِى ٱلصُّدُورِ
and a healing for what is in the chests (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 10:57)
فَإِنْ كُنْتَ فِى شَكٍّ مِّمَّا أَنْزَلْنَآ إِلَيْكَ
So if you happened to be in doubt of what We Sent Down to you (Translation attempt for Words from the Qur'an 10:94)
لَوْ مَا
36 (n). Maa مَا is also used after لَوْ as لَوْ مَا
Apparently, in this usage, the speaker, tries to prove his point of view or what he wants to achieve, by following لَوْ مَا with a hypothetical statement of what he states to would have been if what he asserts or believes or wants to achieve is not the case. His assertion may be mentioned just before لَوْ مَا as in the 1 example presented below.
[ | < were it > not the case , < were it > not such | ]
وَقَالُواْ يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِى نُزِّلَ عَلَيْهِ ٱلذِّكْرُ إِنَّكَ لَمَجْنُونٌ لَّوْ مَا تَأْتِينَا بِٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ إِنْ كُنْتَ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ
and they said, "O: which to: behold / take notice:, the one who, transmitted down upon him is the Remembrance!, indeed you are definitely possessed by jinn. Were it not the case, you would have come to us with the angels if you were of the tuthful" (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 15:6-7)
إِنَّما
37 (n). إِنَّما is apparently made from إِنَّ which may be translated as indeed and مَا
[ | < indeed > the fact is: , < indeed > the case is: , < indeed > what is, is: , < indeed > what is, is that | ]
إِنَّمَآ أَمْوَٰلُكُمْ وَأَوْلَـٰدُكُمْ فِتْنَةٌ
Indeed the fact is: your(plural) material assets and your(plural) offspring are a fitna (Translation attempt for Words from the Qur'an 64:15)
fitna فِتْنَة translation attempt : Something which penetrates and : affects / disturbs : one's : physical / mental / emotional : state / condition / situation / state of affairs : etc. Thus, depending on context it can be a test, a training, a temptation, a persecution, a punishment, a chastisement etc.
material assets : Owned things like money, land, houses, vehicles, animals, crops etc.
For below 2 points, the site "http://arabic.tripod.com/VerbLikeParticles2.htm" also concludes the same subparticles I have concluded for the cases of أَنَّمَا and كَأَنَّمَا . Any one interested may also copy paste this link in browser and read it. I am not linking it due to my preference of avoiding sites with picture advertisements as much as possible.
أَنَّمَا
38 (n). أَنَّمَا is apparently made from أَنْ which may be translated as that and إِنَّ which may be translated as indeed and مَا
[ | < that > < indeed > the fact is: , < that > < indeed > the case is: , < that > < indeed > what is, is: , < that > < indeed > what is, is that | ]
وَٱعْلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّمَآ أَمْوَٰلُكُمْ وَأَوْلَـٰدُكُمْ فِتْنَةٌ
and know that indeed the fact is: your(plural) material assets and your(plural) offspring are a fitna (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 8:28)
Similar example chosen to focus more on إِنَّمَا and أَنَّمَا
Also note that the examples chosen for إِنَّمَا and أَنَّمَا also refute the view that only or so called restriction is implied with these words, as material assets and offspring are not the only fitna, and it is not the only thing to know.
كَأَنَّمَا
39 (n). كَأَنَّمَا is apparently made from كَ which may be translated as as or it is as and أَنْ which may be translated as if in this combined context with كَ and إِنَّ which may be translated as indeed and مَا
[ | < as / it is as : > < if > < indeed > the fact is that , < as / it is as : > < if > < indeed > the case is that , < as / it is as : > < if > < indeed > what is, is that | ]
we may attempt even attempt a more literal translation for كَ as like and أَنْ as that though in English for such usage as if is usually used but we may introduce new usage of like that also but due to lack of any usage, this will look odd at least till the usage becomes more widespread.
وَمَن يُّشْرِكْ بِٱللّٰهِ فَكَأَنَّمَا خَرَّ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ
and who sets associates with ALLAH, then it is as if indeed the case is that he has fallen from the sky (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 22:15)
40 (n). Maa مَا is also used with a prefixed كُلَّ as كُلَّمَا as:
A : pointer / indicator / referer / interface : to :
what is the occurrence of some verb which can be further simplified to the time when some verb occurrs:
with reference to كُلَّ or every and also with reference to the verb. i.e. every what is the occurrence of the verb, or everywhen the verb occurrs.
[ [ < every > what is ] , | < every >when , < every >time , < every > case of | ]
كُلَّمَآ أَضَآءَ لَهُم مَّشَوْاْ فِيهِ
Everywhen it illuminated for them, they moved about naturally in it
Every what is, it illuminated for them, they moved about naturally in it
Everytime, it illuminated for them, they moved about naturally in it
(Translation attempts for Words from The Qur'an 2:20)
they moved about naturally مَشَوْاْ translation attempt: They moved about naturally. They moved from place to place using the body's natural way of moving about. For humans, this means moving about by foot.
Note: Everywhen is also used in English in a similar sense, though this usage is not very common these days.
41 (n). Maa مَا is also used as:
A : pointer / indicator / referer / interface : to :
whatever : results or is is encountered : whenever its preceding word (usually conditional) and its next statement, verb or word meet or coincide or cooccur or coexist or hold in parallel. This : pointer / indicator / referer / interface : is with reference to both its preceding word and its next statement. مَهْمَا is apparently originally مَامَا or whatever or what is what, followed by next statement.
[ | whatever | , [ what is what ] ]
وَقَالُواْ مَهْمَا تَأْتِنَا بِهِۦ مِنْ ءَايَةٍ لِّتَسْحَرَنَا بِهَا
and they said whatever you come to us with it of a sign for doing سِحْر to us with it ... (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 7:132)
سِحْر translation attempt : someone apparently turning a : thing / happening : for someone else : in terms of : seeing / hearing / perceiving in mind : such that he : sees it / hears it / perceives it in his mind : differently from what it actually is.
42 (n). Maa مَا is also used as:
A : pointer / indicator / referer / interface : to :
whatever : results or is is encountered : whenever its preceding word (usually conditional) and its next statement, verb or word meet or coincide or cooccur or coexist or hold in parallel. This : pointer / indicator / referer / interface : is with reference to both its preceding word and its next statement. Note that مَا is used in أَيْنَمَا or whereever or what is where and أَيْنَ مَا or where ever or what is where, followed by next statement.
[ | < where >ever , < where > ever | , [ what is < where > ] ]
أَيْنَمَا تَكُونُواْ يُدْرِككُّمُ ٱلْمَوْتُ
Whereever you be, the death will reach you (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 4:78)
وَهُوَ مَعَكُمْ أَيْنَ مَا كُنْتُمْ
and He is with you where ever you happened to be (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 57:4)
you happened to be / you've been / you had been /
43 (n). Maa مَا is also used after أَيْنَ in which both are in their separate meaning shades.
[ < where is > what ]
ثُمَّ قِيلَ لَهُمْ أَيْنَ مَا كُنْتُمْ تُشْرِكُونَ
Further on, it is said to them where is what you(plural) had been associating? (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 40:73)
Note again, that as in Arabic same Arabic word or particle can be used with or without the "is" sense e.g. as in above case "where is" and not "where" alone is apparently impled. Similarly, what and what is etc. may be used depending on context e.g. I know what you did vs what is he doing etc.
44 (n). Maa مَا is also used as:
A : pointer / indicator / referer / interface : to :
whatever : results or is is encountered : whenever its preceding word (usually conditional) and its next statement, verb or word meet or coincide or cooccur or coexist or hold in parallel. This : pointer / indicator / referer / interface : is with reference to both its preceding word and its next statement. Note that مَا is used in حَيْثُ مَا or wherein ever or what is wherein, followed by next statement.
[ | < wherein > ever | , [ what is < wherein > ] ]
وَحَيْثُ مَا كُنْتُمْ فَوَلُّواْ وُجُوهَكُمْ شَطْرَهُۥ
and wherein ever you(plural) happened to be, then divert your (plural) faces in its direction (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 2:144)
45 (n). Maa مَا is also used as:
A : pointer / indicator / referer / interface : to :
whatever : results or is is encountered : whenever its preceding word (usually conditional) and its next statement, verb or word meet or coincide or cooccur or coexist or hold in parallel. This : pointer / indicator / referer / interface : is with reference to both its preceding word and its next statement. Note that مَا is used in أَيَّمَا or whichever or what is which, followed by next statement.
[ | < which > ever | , [ what is < which > ] ]
أَيَّمَا ٱلْأَجَلَيْنِ قَضَيْتُ
Whichever of the terms(2) I conclude (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 28:28)
أَمْ
46 (n). Am أَمْ is apparently made from أَ and مَا with the below meaning shades:
[ | < is it > that , < is it > the case, < is it > the case that , < is > the case | , [ < is it > what is ] ]
(Note: when أَمْ is used with the 2nd or later case, sometimes "or" has to be added in the translation due to overall context and style of English for using or in such cases.)
أَمْ خُلِقُواْ مِنْ غَيْرِ شَيْءٍ أَمْ هُمُ ٱلْخَـٰلِقُونَ
Is it that they were created from other than a thing or is it that they are the creators?
Is it the case that they were created from other than a thing, is it the case that they are the creators?
(Translation attempts for Words from The Qur'an 52:35)
لَمْ
47 (n). Lam لَمْ is apparently made from لَ and negative مَا with the below meaning shades:
[ [ < it is definitely > not what is , < definitely > not what ] , | < it is definitely > not that , < it is definitely > not the case that | ]
عَلَّمَ ٱلْإِنْسَـٰنَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ
He taught human what is definitely not what he knows (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 96:5)
لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ
It is definitely not that He begets and it is definitely not that He is begotten.
It is definitely not the case that He begets and it is definitely not the case that He is begotten.
(Translation attempts for Words from The Qur'an 112:3)
Note: In English also "definitely not the case" is used.
أَمَّا
48 (n). The more commonly used أَمَّا follows in the next point. A lesser used أَمَّا is apparently made from أَمْ and مَا with the below meaning shades:
[ | < is it > that : what is , < is it > that : what , < is it > the case of : what is | ]
(Note: when أَمْ is used as the 2nd or later case, sometimes "or" has to be added in the translation due to overall context and style of English for using or in such cases.)
قُلْ ءَآلذَّكَرَيْنِ حَرَّمَ أَمِ ٱلْأُنْثَيَيْنِ أَمَّا ٱشْتَمَلَتْ عَلَيْهِ أَرْحَامُ ٱلْأُنْثَيَيْنِ
Say(you) is it the males(2) He has Outlawed or is it what is the females(2) or is it that what has inwrapped over it the wombs of the females(2)? (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 6:143)
أَمَّا
49 (n). The more commonly used أَمَّا is apparently made from أَنْ and مَا with the below meaning shades:
[ combined meaning shade : { as for } , separate meaning shade : [ < that > what is ] ]
فَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ فَيَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّهُ ٱلْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّهِمْ
So as for the ones who believed then they know that indeed it is the truth from their Maintaining-Lord.
So that what is the ones who believed then they know that indeed it is the truth from their Maintaining-Lord.
(Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 2:26)
إِمَّا
50 (n). Immaa إِمَّا is apparently made from إِنْ and مَا with the below meaning shades:
For single إِمَّا
[ | < in > case , < if > it is that , < if > the case is that , < if > it is the case that , < if > the case be that | ]
For 2 or more إِمَّا combined meaning shade for each إِمَّا
[ { it can be , it can be the case } ]
وَإِمَّا يُنْسِيَنَّكَ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ
and in case shaytaan ensures to make you forget (Translation attempt for words from The Qur'an 6:68).
قَالُواْ يَـٰمُوسَىٰٓ إِمَّآ أَن تُلْقِىَ وَإِمَّآ أَن نَّكُونَ نَحْنُ ٱلْمُلْقِينَ
They said, "O Moosaa, it can be that you throw and it can be that us, we be the throwers".
They said, "O Moosaa, it can be the case that you throw and it can be the case that us, we be the throwers".
(Translation attempts for words from The Qur'an 7:115)
إِذَا مَا
51 (n). Maa مَا is also used with إِذَا as إِذَا مَا
[ | < when > , that , < when > the case is that , that < when > | ]
أَثُمَّ إِذَا مَا وَقَعَ ءَامَنْتُمْ بِهِۦ
Is it further when, that it has befallen, you believed in it?
Is it further when the case is that it has befallen, you believed in it?
Is it further that when it has befallen, you believed in it?
(Translation attempts for Words from The Qur'an 10:51)
مَاذَا
52 (n,p). Maazaa مَاذَا is apparently made from مَا and ذَا and then مَاذَا is used in an interrogative sense.
[ what is < that which > , what is < that which is > ]
يَسْئَلُونَكَ مَاذَا يُنْفِقُونَ
They ask you what is that which they should spend (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 2:215 )
أَمَّاذَا
53 (n). أَمَّاذَا is apparently made from أَمْ and مَا and ذَا and أَمْ itself is apparently made from أَ and مَا
[ | < is it > the case of : what is < that which > | ]
Note: When it is used with the 2nd or later case, sometimes "or" has to be added in the translation due to overall context and style of English for using or in such cases.
قَالَ أَكَذَّبْتُمْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِى وَلَمْ تُحِيطُواْ بِهَا عِلْمًا أَمَّاذَا كُنْتُمْ تَعمَلُونَ
He Said, "did you(plural) do denial with Our Signs while it is definitely not the case that you(plural) did the encompassing with it w.r.t. knowledge or is it the case of : what is that which you (plural) had been working?" (Translation attempt for Words from the Qur'an 27:84)
*denial : refusing to accept as true.
w.r.t. : with reference to.
رُبَمَا
54 (n). Maa مَا is used with a prefixed رُبَ i.e رُبَمَا as
a : pointer / indicator / referer / interface : to :
the time or moment when some matter will be matured / ripened / developed : to a stage when what is mentioned after مَا comes to pass or occurrs or starts occurring.
[ | < it will be : matured / developed / ripened : to / to a state : > when | ]
رُّبَمَا يَوَدُّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ لَوْ كَانُواْ مُسْلِمِينَ
it will be : matured / developed / ripened : to / to a state : when the ones who did kufr will be wishing, were it that they had been Muslims.
(Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 15:2)
In Urdu, it is said وہ دن بھی آئیں گے جب or وہ وقت آئیں گے جب
In English, it is said the day will come when or the time will come when, but I attempted a more literal translation.
Below are some additional notes on this point
رُبّ is the inspissated juice of ripe fruit, obtained by evaporation of the juice over a fire until it reaches a syrupy consistency. It is sometimes mixed with honey or sugar.
Lane's Lexicon also gives following meaning shades e.g رَبَّهُ as "he reared, fostered, brought up, fed, or nourished, him ... taking good care of him, and acting as his guardian, until he attained to puberty, or to the utmost term of youth" and رَبْرَبَ as "he reared, fostered, or brought up, an orphan."
رُبَّان The 1st, or beginning, or commencement, or the 1st and fresh state, of anything.
Some translators have translated رُبَمَا as "a time will surely come when" by Wahiduddin Khan and وہ وقت آئیں گے جب by Amin Ahsan Islahi in Urdu have also come close to it.
لَمَّا
55 (n). Another compound word in which مَا appears to have been used is لَمَّا
Note that this point may be taken up in a separate post إِنْ شَآءَ اللّٰهُ as it is not concluded to the sufficient extent yet and therefore examples from The Qur'an are not used in this point. But for now, following notes may suffice إِنْ شَآءَ اللّٰهُ but should be taken as draft notes and not as conclusive notes.
One kind of لَمَّا appears to have been made from لِ and أَنْ and مَا with conversion from لِأَنْمَا to لَمَّا
Apparently in this usage لَمَّا is used with reference to 2 statements, i.e. when statement 1 happens, the statement 2 happens or holds, e.g. for / to : that when (statement1) they are asked to fight, (statement) they say we don't know fighting.
[ | < for / to > : < that > when | ]
2nd kind of لَمَّا appears to have been made from لَمْ and مَا and لَمْ itself is made from لَ and مَا e.g. it is definitely not the time when the assignment is being completed.
[ [ < definitely / it is definitely > : not what is : when ] , | < definitely / it is definitely > : not the case : when , < definitely / it is definitely > : not that : when , < definitely / it is definitely > : not the time : when | , { definitely not yet } ]
3rd kind of لَمَّا appears to have been made from لَ and أَنْ and مَا with conversion from لَأَنْمَا to لَمَّا
[ [ < definitely / it is definitely > : < that > what is ] , | < definitely / it is definitely > : < that > the fact is , < definitely / it is definitely > : < that > the case is | ]
To study مَا further in many other books, read the related pages in
Arabic Particles Tool . Also to see other posts in Arabic Particles Meanings series.
References: When multiple references mentioned for a point, it means material selected from all quoted references more from some and less from others and all quoted references do not necessarily agree on everything. Material is not exactly copied but based on the reference quoted and I have made additions, editions & changes where required :
r = Qur'an Root Linker Tool books, specially TQ and then MI
w = Wright Arabic Grammar English
h = Howell Arabic Grammar English
l = Lane's Lexicon
n = New indication by me
a = Arabic Almanac and Mawrid Reader books
p = Arabic Particles Tool books
p2 = Ma'ani un Nahw (AP Tool 2) .
m = Sharh of Miatu Amil .
f = Fischer Arabic Grammar (its PDF can be downloaded from the link).
q = Qawaid Zaban e Qur'an Urdu .
c = Patterns Research by others section .
Arabic has been typed using the free and detailed Arabic keyboard, latest live version of which is available at:
Online Arabic Keyboard to Type Arabic Directly using English Keyboard with 7 Arabic Web Fonts .
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بَلۡ بَلَىٰ كَ إِنۡ أَنۡ سَ سَوۡفَ أَ هَلۡ إِذۡ إِذَا إِذًا أَنَّىٰ لَـٰكِنۡ لَـٰكِنَّ
