Learn Arabic Particle أَوْ aw meaning shades and usage.
See Arabic Particles Meanings series to learn Arabic particles and related words' meanings.
Also see Arabic Particles Quick Study Tool.
Post 1st published on : 6th May 2020
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Post's relevant content last edited on : 6th May 2020.
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) ]
/ = and or or.
: = previous statement continues to next statement.
0 (n,r,p,c). Introduction and Core Meaning shades
i. According to MI of Arabic Roots Linker tool, its core meaning is related to the core meaning shade of ا و ى . It may be the case, and in case it is so, the core meaning of ا و ى appears to be choosing some place to betake oneself to and : lodge / dwell oneself at, whether it is a new place to go to or an old place to which to return to.
ii. The core meaning shade of أوْ appears to be:
option
or
to indicate options: mentioned before and after أوْ and the options themselves may be nouns or verbs or statements or matters etc.
There are 4 main possibilities for the options indicated by أوْ and the options may be more than 2 but a single أوْ is usually used between 2 options only.
a. Both options are mutually exclusive, i.e. only 1 of the 2 options can be chosen or be applicable and the other remains unchosen or unapplicable e.g. the dear was killed by the tiger or the lion.
b. Both options are the available choices to the exclusion of other possibilities, and both can be applicable together e.g. he taught Maths or Physics (in the sense of the subjects tought by him were only Maths or Physics to the exclusion of all other subjects). Or the event was attended by 100000 people or those adding on. i.e the event was only witnessed by the 100000 or the ones adding on.
c. Both options refer to the same thing and thus both are applicable at the same time e.g. he fought "like a lion" or "bravely". i.e. multiple examples or similitudes are provided for better explanation and understanding or eloquence etc.
d. Both options refer to the options related to a group, i.e. some from the group chose 1st option and the others chose the 2nd option, or on some, the 1st option was applicable and on some, the 2nd option was applicable etc. e.g. the students played or ate during the break (i.e. some played and some ate).
[ or ]
a.1 (p,n). aw أَوْ is used to indicate mutually exclusive options, only 1 of which may be applicable or hold or be chosen.
[ or ]
i.e. mutually exclusive option 1, via أَوْ followed by mutually exclusive option 2.
وَلَئِنْ قُتِلْتُمْ فِى سَبِيلِ اللّٰهِ أَوْ مُتُّمْ
and definitely if you(plural) are killed in The Way of ALLAH or you(plural) died... (Translation attempt for Words from the Qur'an 3:157)
The relevant term used in books for this meaning shade is تخيير or selection of a mutually exclusive : choice / option from the available ones.
a.2 (p,n). aw أَوْ is used to indicate mutually exclusive options , only 1 of which may be applicable or hold. Regarding which option holds and which does not hold, the speaker himself is in doubt.
[ or ]
i.e. mutually exclusive option 1, via أَوْ followed by mutually exclusive option 2, regarding which the speaker himself is in doubt.
ۖ قَالَ لَبِثْتُ يَوْمًا أَوْ بَعْضَ يَوْمٍ
... He said, "I stayed a day or part of a day" ...(Translation attempt for Words from the Qur'an 2:259)
The relevant term used in books for this meaning shade is شك or doubt, i.e. the speaker himself is doubtful.
a.3 (p,n). aw أَوْ is used to indicate mutually exclusive options , only 1 of which may be applicable or hold. Regarding which option holds and which does not hold, the speaker himself knows but wants to keep the addressee in doubt.
[ or ]
i.e. mutually exclusive option 1, via أَوْ followed by mutually exclusive option 2, regarding which the speaker wants to keep the addressee in doubt.
No example for this use case could be found in The Qur'an.
قَامَ زَيْدٌ أَوْ عَاصِمٌ
Zaid or Asim stood. (Translation attempt for a hypothetical example)
The relevant term used in books for this meaning shade is إبهام or making ambiguous, i.e. making doubtful for the addressee.
b.4 (p,c,n). aw أَوْ is used to indicate allowed / possible / applicable : options for a matter in a context or angle to the exclusion of other possibilities or options outside these in this context or angle. Sometimes the options may be allowed / possible / applicable : together at the same time and sometimes the options may be allowed / possible / applicable : one at a time.
[ or ]
i.e. allowed / possible / applicable : option 1, via أَوْ followed by allowed / possible / applicable : option 2, whether applicable in parallel or 1 at a time.
وَأَرْسَلْنَـٰهُ إِلَىٰ مِاْئَةِ أَلْفٍ أَوْ يَزِيدُونَ
and We sent him to a 100,000 or those adding on. (Translation attempt for Words from the Qur'an 37:147)
i.e. both are applicable together at the same time i.e. the 100,000 or the ones adding on to these, to the exclusion of any one beyond these 2 categories. And ALLAH Knows the Exact Truth.
وَلَا تُطِعْ مِنْهُمْ ءَاثِمًا أَوْ كَفُورًا
and do not obey from them an aathim* or a kafoor* (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 76:24)
i.e. the applicable options for the forbiddance i.e. "and do not obey from them" in the current context and statement of forbiddance are these 2 options only and in this case, both are applicable together, to the exclusion of other possible options. Some other order or same kind of forbiddance i.e. "and do not obey from them" may forbid other things also in a different statement or context, but for this statement in curent context, these are the only applicable options.
*aathim ءَاثِم translation attempt : Doer of : deeds / acts : that : prevent / slow down / delay / distract / make one fall short : from doing : due / proper / good / timely / rightful : deeds / acts etc.
Doer of deeds / acts : that become a hurdle / obstruction / deterent / diversion : from doing : due / proper / good / timely / rightful : deeds / acts etc.
*kafoor كَفُور on pattern فَعُول translation attempt : One who covers up ( thankfulness / belief / natural inclination to be receptive to : The Truth / The Qur'an and Islam) very much.
فَعُول translation attempt based on initial study (detailed study required to properly conclude the meaning shade of this pattern, but for this post, current level of research is presented as follows (one or more of the following meaning shades may be applicable depending on context (i.e. situation and the being having the trait ))):
Having fullness or muchness or abundance of the quality or trait indicated by the root or word from the same root.
Full or srong or mature in the quality or trait indicated by the root or word from the same root.
Doing the thing indicated by the root or word from the same root : to the full level or extent / to a high level or extent / very much .
The relevant term used in books for this meaning shade is إباحة or permitting or allowing, i.e. permitted or applicable or possible : choices / options : in which multiple may be chosen or be applicable or be possible together also.
c.5 (c,n). aw أَوْ is used to indicate options referring to the same thing or matter, both of which are applicable at the same time, since both are referring to the exact same thing or matter. i.e. multiple examples or similitudes are provided for better explanation and understanding or eloquence etc.
[ or ]
i.e. option 1 for the same thing or matter, via أَوْ followed by option 2 for the exact same thing or matter, as the 1st option.
ثُمَّ قَسَتْ قُلُوبُكُم مِّن بَعْدِ ذَٰلِكَ فَهِىَ كَٱلْحِجَارَةِ أَوْ أَشَدُّ قَسْوَةً
Further on, hardened your(plural) hearts, from after that, whereupon they were like the stones or with ingrained* severity in hardness. (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 2:74)
Note that مِن بَعْدِ is pronounced مِنۢ بَعْدِ but since in many mobile internet browsers, it is not displayed properly, so I have written without the small م above the ن . When ن saakin ساكن is followed by ب then the ن is substituted by م but still written as ن with a small م over it.
*ingrained severity أَشَدُّ on pattern أَفْعَل and more research is required to conclude the meaning shade of أَفْعَل and translation attempt for its meaning shade based on initial study (detailed study required to properly conclude the meaning shade of this pattern, but for this post, current level of research is presented as follows):
Having the : quality / trait / feature : that is indicated by the root or word from the same root : ingrained / firmly fixed or established.
This : quality / trait / feature : is at its firmly fixed or established state at the time regarding which the reference is made to the thing or being in the statement and could have been firmly fixed or established since the beginning or be firmly fixed or established since some later time and this can continue for ever or till a finite time depending on the context and the being in whom this quality / trait / feature exists (i.e. for a mortal or perishable being, either till death or till the : quality / trait / feature is replaced or removed or ends).
Since this pattern is used for indicating the firmly fixed or established existence of a : quality / trait / feature : and the word alone does not usually deal with its intensity or level etc., so different things or beings can have the same firmly fixed or established : quality / trait / feature, but the level or intensity etc. can vary. So, this pattern in some contextual arrangements (along with other words and in specific grammatical arrangements) can also be used for comparison, e.g., as in the ahadith attributed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) for comparision of whiteness levels or intensity of white, e.g. see these https://sunnah.one/?s="أبيض+من" and https://sunnah.com/search/?q="whiter+than". Note: the more common opinion of many of today's teachers and scholars in this issue is to follow the Basran grammarians' argument that comparison cannot be used for colors, but this opinion contradicts the actual grammar and usage of some ahadith. So in this case, Kufan opinion of allowing comparison for colors also is obviously more logical and correct and can also explain the usage of whiter than and other classical sayings by others. Regardless of the authenticity of the quoted ahadith, the usage is obviously favoring the Kufan grammarians' view in this case. Now this does not mean every opinion of 1 group of grammarians is better than the other, this simply reminds us that every opinion has to be evaluated based on merit and evidences and we may even choose a different opinion if evidences are stronger for the new opinion.
d.6 (p,n). aw أَوْ is used to indicate applicable or chosen options for a group, i.e. the group as a whole has either option 1 or option 2 applicable on them or chosen by them. In other words, some from the group chose 1st option and the others chose the 2nd option, or on some, the 1st option was applicable and on some, the 2nd option was applicable. We can also say, that as a group, only these options are possible to the exclusion of other options in the current context or angle.
[ or ]
i.e. applicable or chosen opinion 1 within a group, via أَوْ followed by applicable or chosen opinion 2 within the same group.
وَقَالُواْ كُونُواْ هُودًا أَوْ نَصَـٰرَىٰ
and they said "become Jews or Christians..." (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 2:135)
They are referred to collectively and this collective group, in this context and angle of religion, either says "become Jews" or it says "become Christians". Or some members from this collective group say "become Jews" and some members from this collective group say "become Christians".
The relevant terms used in books for this meaning shade are تفصيل or making distinct or تقسيم or division or تبعيض or division into portions. (e.g. some members of a group did 1 thing and the others did another thing or A did this and B did that.)
To study this particle 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, specially AQ and HR
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 .
s2 = The Subjunctive Mood in Arabic Grammmatical Thought by Arik Sadan .
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
Learn Arabic Particles ثُمَّ thumma and ثَمَّ thamma meaning shades and usage.
See Arabic Particles Meanings series to learn Arabic particles and related words' meanings.
Also see Arabic Particles Quick Study Tool.
Post 1st published on : 16th April 2020
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Post's relevant content last edited on : 16th April 2020.
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) ]
/ = and or or.
: = previous statement continues to next statement.
0 (l,r,a,n). Introduction and Core Meaning shades
i. Apparently, the base letters in ثُمَّ are ث م م
ii. Let's explore some related words.
ثَمَّهُ translation attempt: he : developed / progressed / improved / took : it further or he collected / added : further progress / improvement / development with existing progress / improvement / development. Some English dictionaries confuse and add meanings of repair / rectification etc. which can be meanings of رَمَّهُ and when ثَمَّهُ وَرَمَّهُ is said, it may have caused this confusion of mixing up of the meaning shades. e.g. when we say ثَمَّهُ for a house: he developed / progressed / improved / took it further (by filling up its interstices, or by putting a roof of dry herbage over the built walls and frames, or by putting accessories and tools in it etc.). When we say ثَمَّهُ for a vessel of milk: he collected / added : further progress / improvement / development (i.e. spread over it a ثُمَام or skin of milk and put it above it, in order that the sun might not strike it, and its milk become consequently decomposed, or curdled) with existing progress / improvement / development (i.e. collecting and putting the milk in the vessel). And ثَمَّهُ he stuffed it (e.g. by progressing / furthering the process of collecting and stuffing the stuff to be stuffed).
ثُمّ translation attempt: as taken from Lane's Lexicon: household-goods, or furniture and utensils, and their water-skins, or milk-skins, and vessels. The means by which a house, or tent, is put into a good state. (My interpretation i.e. these things are collected to a house for developing / progressing / improving it further).
iii. The core meaning shade of the particle ثُمَّ appears to be:
a connector for:
progression
or
furtherness (i.e. being further with reference to some matter or thing etc.)
or
collecting / gathering : further progress with existing progress
or
further : development / progress / buildup / completion :
in a matter
or towards the logical conclusion of a matter depending on context / situation / history / future plan / requirement : etc.
or
further : development / progress / buildup / completion :
in a written or spoken speech, in which, what the speaker or writer is saying in a particular context or situation or on a set of related matters is developed / progressed / built / completed : further via usage of ثُمَّ and in this case the spoken or written speech is progressing further and may even mention matters out of actual sequence or order, as the speech is progressing further towards its conclusion and a matter that occurred later may be mentioned before a matter that occurred earlier to make progression in speech in the intended manner and for the intended effect on the addressee.
Here we may consider for better understanding the concept of developing story in news channels, in which there are further developments in a story. The story may not progress in a 1 sided direction and subsequent progress may even be against the preceding step, but still, in the matter being discussed in the story, progress and development is being made since this matter is progressing further towards its conclusion.
In English, the word further and its various combinations seem most appropriate. So let's explore further of English:
Further: relevant meaning shades in English :
Used to introduce a new point relating to or reinforcing a previous statement.
Additional to what already exists or has already taken place, been done, or been accounted for.
At or to a more advanced, successful, or desirable stage.
Help the progress or development of (something); promote.
At, to, or by a greater distance (used to indicate the extent to which one thing or person is or becomes distant from another)
Over a greater expanse of space or time; for a longer way.
More distant in space than something else of the same kind.
Beyond the point already reached or the distance already covered.
AI2 notes: Further can also be understood in the literal sense, that what is mentioned after it is further from what is mentioned before it , i.e. 1st the preceding statement comes and then further to it, this next statement comes.
Or 1st, what is mentioned in the preceding statement occurrs and then further to it, in space or time or physically or in state or condition or progression or application etc., what is mentioned in the following statement occurrs.
or 1st matter exists or occurrs and further to it in distance or time or compatibility or consistency, a 2nd matter exists or occurrs.
Another application of usage of the word further is that there is no limit to further, i.e. further can be the very next thing or step or progression or it may even be a very distant thing or step or progression since whether it is close or far, it is still further from what is mentioned before it. It may even be the same thing heaped further together, e.g. woe!, further woe!
Similarly, further to that is also a very good choice in many cases, it can be used when something is further from something else, when something is mentioned further to what is already mentioned, when something comes further after something else, i.e. in English also, it conveys the different meanings depending on context. We may also use further from that and further on that for even better translation in some cases, depending on context.
[ [ further , and further , further to that , and further to that , further on , and further on , further on that , and further on that , further from that , and further from that , onward , and onward ] , ( furthermore , progressing further , advancing further , proceeding further , afterward , later on ) ]
Different translations from above may be used depending on context, whether this progression is physical, conceptual, in place, in time, state, condition, statement, or matter etc.
Below are some example cases of its usage:
1 (p,n). The Arabic particle ثُمَّ is used when the speaker or writer mentions a matter before ثُمَّ and then mentions a matter further on after ثُمَّ which is away from or different from the preceding matter physically or in distance or in time or in rank or in degree or in conformability or in compatibility, but by gathering these distant or different matters together, the speaker or writer conveys what he wants to convey. Either he may want to convey both matters together at the same time without any intention to link them up for a common effect on the addressee, or he may want the addressee to consider preceding matter also when he considers that matter coming after ثُمَّ or the matter coming after ثُمَّ also when he considers the preceding matter, or he may want the addressee to consider both the matters together etc. In various examples, the 1st matter is mentioned and shows that the 2nd matter has occurred despite that, i.e. based on the 1st matter, the 2nd matter shouldn't have been such and should have been more consistent with the 1st matter, but despite that after occurrence of the 1st matter, further on something happens which is not compatible with the 1st matter and distant or different from it. The relevant term used in books for this role of ثُمَّ is استبعاد or seeking remoteness / distance and some books also mention تفاوت or disparity / disharmony / lack of conformability or compatibility etc.
[ further , further to that , further from that , further on ]
اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَجَعَلَ ٱلظُّلُمَـٰتِ وَٱلنُّورَ ۖ ثُمَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ بِرَبِّهِمْ يَعْدِلُونَ
The Thankful Praise is for ALLAH Who Created the heavens and the earth and Made the darkenesses and the light, further from that those who did kufr* with their Maintaining-Lord they equate. (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 6:1)
kufr 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).
2 (n). The Arabic particle ثُمَّ is used to indicate progression or further development on a matter, in which the statement preceding ثُمَّ indicates a part of a matter, and the statement coming after ثُمَّ indicates a related further progress on or related to the same matter.
[ further , further on , and further on , further to that , and further to that , onward , and onward ]
ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ بِاللّٰهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَرْتَابُواْ
... those who believed in ALLAH and His messenger and further on they definitely did not doubt... (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 49:15)
3 (p,n). The Arabic particle ثُمَّ is used when the speaker or writer mentions a matter before ثُمَّ and then mentions something else on or related to the same matter, or mentions a related or unrelated matter further on after ثُمَّ in sequence or ordered arrangement of mention i.e mentioning 1 matter and then mentioning more on it or mentioning another matter via ثُمَّ and so on, and it is not necessary that the matter mentioned further on is actually further on in reality also, as it is further on in mention by the speaker or writer, i.e. it may be further in reality, before in reality or parallel in reality (e.g. both may be established facts mentioned by the speaker etc.). The relevant term used in books for this role of ثُمَّ is ترتيب ذكري or sequence / ordered arrangement : of mention.
[ further , and further , further to that , further on that ]
فَإِلَيْنَا مَرجِعُهُمْ ثُمَّ اللّٰهُ شَهِيدٌ عَلَىٰ مَا يَفْعَلُونَ
... and then to Us is their returning, further ALLAH is Ever Witnessing over what they are doing ...
... and then to Us is their returning, further to that ALLAH is Ever Witnessing over what they are doing ...
(Translation attempts for Words from The Qur'an 10:46)
خَلَقَكُم مِّن نَّفْسٍ وَّٰحِدَةٍ ثُمَّ جَعَلَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا
He Created you(pl) from a single self, further He Made from it its partner...
He Created you(pl) from a single self, further to that He Made from it its partner...
(Translation attempts for Words from The Qur'an 39:6)
4 (n). Sometimes ثُمَّ is used after interrogative أَ i.e أَثُمَّ for asking a further question following a previous question related to a common matter, or furthering the previous statement with a further question, or asking a question regarding something that is further in time or distance etc. from the current context etc.
[ further , further on , further to that ]
ۚ 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)
5 (p,n). Sometimes ثُمَّ is used to further emphasize or strengthen or build a statement coming before ثُمَّ by repeating the same or a similar or related statement after ثُمَّ
[ [ further , further on that ] , (again) ]
فَقُتِلَ كَيْفَ قَدَّرَ ثُمَّ قُتِلَ كَيْفَ قَدَّرَ
So he be killed! how he determined!, further he be killed! how he determined!
So he be killed! how he determined!, further on that he be killed! how he determined!
(Translation attempts for Words from The Qur'an 74:19-20)
Now, let's briefly also discuss ثَمَّ used 4 times in The Qur'an.
0 (r,a,l,n). The core meaning shade of ثَمَّ appears to be:
A container / receptacle / place : where / in which / at which : the referred to matter or action or role etc. mentioned before ثَمَّ progresses / proceeds : further. In various cases, further details are mentioned related to the preceding matter after ثَمَّ that also take place at that same place.
Or
We may also say that it is an adverb for indicating the presence / existence / progression : of a : thing / matter / action at a specific place. The adding up or collecting together of the indicated thing / matter / action in the indicated place and progression of it there.
Or
Another usual feature of this place is that this place is usually further off or further away or out of the current range in : time / place : from the : addressee or speaker. A place other than that of the : speaker or addressee (i.e. out of range, so, close (here, in the visible range) or far (there, but within the visible range) are irrelevant).
[ there , thereat (at that place) , therein (in that place) ]
وَأَزْلَفْنَا ثَمَّ ٱلْآخَرِينَ
and we made accessible thereat the others. (Translation attempt for Words from the Qur'an 26:64)
Note: The word accessible has been chosen, seeing the other 3 occurrences of this form IV verb in The Qur'an where Paradise is made accessible. Near is not chosen since it is not from its core meaning shade as per the quick initial analysis by me, and at 1 place i.e. 50:31 it is mentioned along with غَيْرَ بَعِيدٍ i.e. if its meaning was near, then apparently there would be no need to mention غَيْرَ بَعِيدٍ with it. It may be the case that they were made accessible at the place to get destroyed by the water. And ALLAH Knows the exact truth!
To study these particles 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, specially AQ and HR
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 .
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بَلۡ بَلَىٰ كَ إِنۡ أَنۡ سَ سَوۡفَ أَ هَلۡ إِذۡ إِذَا إِذًا أَنَّىٰ لَـٰكِنۡ لَـٰكِنَّ
Learn Arabic Particle فَ meaning shades and usage.
See Arabic Particles Meanings series to learn Arabic particles and related words' meanings.
Also see Arabic Particles Quick Study Tool.
Post 1st published on : 27th March 2020.
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Post's relevant content last edited on : 29th March 2020.
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[ 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) ]
/ = and or or.
: = previous statement continues to next statement.
1 (n). The core meaning shade of فَ fa appears to be :
to indicate:
what follows
OR
a connector for followup / a connector for response or a connector for cause and effect.
رابطة للتّعقيب and/or رابطة للجواب or رابطة للتّسبيب
OR
A particle that connects / gathers / includes
its preceding : matter / statement :
with that which follows that matter / statement :
and what follows differs depending on the context / requirement / situation / writer's or speaker's focus.
What follows may be various things e.g.
thing / matter / event / occurrence / consequence / result / conclusion / elaboration / detail / effect / prerequisite / requirement / contributing factor / cause / corollary / response / deduction / inference / resulting fact in past, present or future / deduction or inference regarding a past, present or future matter / connected : consequence or effect or impact : of a matter discussed in a command (imperative) or negative command (forbiddance) or question or aspiration or desire or hope or prayer or urging or cautioning etc.
We can understand it better with the concept of corollary.
Corollary: a proposition that follows from (and is often appended to) one already proved.
When 1 matter exists or has occurred, then from this existence or occurrence, multiple things can follow as the following step / matter or the following information / deduction / inference or resulting fact in past, present or future etc.
Consider the following simple statements to understand further:
Since this, then that.
Since this, so that.
Since this, thus that.
Since this occurred, then that also occurred or is occurring or should occur.
We can also say that like وَ wa, fa فَ also includes or gathers things together, but with the added effect:
that some of the included things are loaded / impacted / affected : with the : effect / impact : of some other included things.
OR
that in some examples of its usage, the ruling / scope / impact for the included matters is realized 1st for the matter coming before فَ fa and then for the matter coming after فَ fa.
The fa فَ connects the precedent to the subsequent, the causer to the caused, the general to the specific, the summary to the detail, the fact or occurrence to its contributing factors or causes, the condition to its response, the condition to its possible consequence, the statement to its resulting fact in past, present or future, command (imperative) or negative command (forbiddance) or question or aspiration or desire or hope or prayer or urging or cautioning etc. : to their connected : consequence or effect or impact.
2 (p,n). fa فَ is used for
connecting and including / gathering : together :
with sequence / ordered arrangement i.e. 1 matter arranged before the other
and with followup i.e. 1 matter followed by the other
with فَ fa between them.
i.e. 1 matter or action, via فَ followed by another matter or action.
The relevant term used in books for this meaning shade is عاطفة or conjunctive with sub meaning shades of اشتراك or inclusion / participation / partnership and ترتيب or sequence and تعقيب or followup.
Some books have separated these meaning shades in separate points but inclusion, sequence and followup are usually applicable at the same time, and in most cases it is not possible to isolate each meaning shade separately. When something is sequenced after another, it naturally also follows the other, and when it follows the other, it is naturally included with the other in the matter or context.
[ then , and then ]
The then : used here can be compared to the then used in English for statements like, "he did this and then did that" , "he came and then his brother came" etc.
فَرَاغَ إِلَىٰٓ أَهْلِهِۦ فَجَآءَ بِعِجْلٍ سَّمِينٍ فَقَرَّبَهُۥٓ إِلَيْهِمْ
Then he slipped away to his adherents and then came with a fat calf and then placed it close to them. (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 51:26-27).
(We can't translate أَهْل as family since the word is also used with book, city etc., and adherents suits the purpose better, considering all the contexts in which the word has been used, and then with context, it can be understood that adherents here probably refers to his family at the further deduction level, but not at the translation level.).
3 (p,n). fa فَ is used for
connecting and including / gathering : together :
the مجمل or compact / general / summed up / aggregated / summarized : concept / information / matter
before / followed by :
the مفصّل or expanded / specific / elaborated details for the same concept / information / matter
with فَ fa between them.
i.e. a matter or action, via فَ followed by its elaboration / specific detail or details
[ [ and then ] , | thereupon , and thereupon, whereupon | ]
The then : used here can be compared to the then used in English for statements like, "He talked to him, and then (at this event of talking) discussed the details".
Thereupon : 2 meaning shades for thereupon provided in online dictionaries. Relevant meaning shade for this point: On that matter. On the thing that has been mentioned . Other meaning shade: immediately or shortly afterwards. Similarly, for whereupon, following meaning shades are mentioned, at which / at which point / upon which and "closely following" and "in consequence of which". For it also, the 1st meaning shade is applicable for this point.
The relevant term used in books for this meaning shade is عاطفة or conjunctive with sub meaning shade of ترتيب ذكري or sequence / ordered arrangement : of mention.
فَقَدْ سَأَلُواْ مُوسَىٰٓ أَكْبَرَ مِنْ ذَٰلِكَ فَقَالُوٓاْ أَرِنَا اللّٰهَ جَهْرَةً
Then already they have asked Moosaa greater than that whereupon they said, "show us ALLAH openly". (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 4:153).
وَنَادَىٰ نُوحٌ رَّبَّهُۥ فَقَالَ رَبِّ إِنَّ ٱبْنِى مِنْ أَهْلِى
and Nooh called out his Maintaining-Lord and thereupon said, "My Maintaining-Lord, indeed my son is from my adherents...". (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 11:45).
4 (p,n). fa فَ is used for
connecting and including / gathering : together :
a matter or event
before / followed by
its تفسير or explanation or its what or how
with فَ fa between them.
i.e. a matter or event, via فَ followed by its تفسير or explanation or its what or how.
[ | so | ]
The so : used here can be compared to the so used in English for statements like, "he took revenge from him, so he killed him".
The relevant term used in books for this meaning shade is تفسيرية or explanative.
فَٱنْتَقَمْنَا مِنْهُمْ فَأَغْرَقْنَـٰهُمْ فِى ٱلْيَمِّ
So WE took revenge from them, so WE drowned them in the يَمّ yamm (deep and extended body or salty or sweet water). (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 7:136).
5 (p,n). fa فَ is used for
connecting and including / gathering : together :
the مُسَبِّب or causing matter
or cause / reason / contributing factor / precedent
before / followed by
the مُسَبَّب or caused matter
or consequence / effect / impact / result
with فَ fa between them.
i.e. a matter or action, via فَ followed by its consequent matter or action.
[ [ and then ] , | thus , and thus , so , and so , thereby , and thereby | ]
The then : used here can be compared to the then used in English for statements like, "He hit him, and then (his hit / hitting) killed him". The then is not for his next action, but this then is for next consequence by his earlier action. To simplify further, he did the act of punching and then his act of punching caused the death. In short, he punched him and then killed him. The thus used here is in the meaning shade of "as a result or consequence of this; therefore." The other meaning shade of thus not relevant to this post is "in the manner now being indicated or exemplified; in this way."
The relevant term used in books for this meaning shade is عاطفة or conjunctive with sub meaning shade of سببية or causality / causation.
ۖ فَوَكَزَهُۥ مُوسَىٰ فَقَضَىٰ عَلَيْهِ
and then Moosaa punched him and thus put an end on him (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 28:15).
6 (p,n). fa فَ is used for
connecting and including / gathering : together :
those who did an action
before / followed by
the effect or due consequence of that action for such
with فَ fa between them.
i.e. those who did an action, via فَ followed by the effect or due consequence of that action for such.
[ then ]
The then : used here can be compared to the then used in English for statements like, "Those who study well, then good grades are for them".
وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ فَتَعْسًا لَّهُمْ
and those who did kufr* then : ruin / devastation : is for them (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 47:8).
kufr* كُفْر 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).
7 (p,n). fa فَ is used for
connecting and including / gathering : together :
the : caused / occurred / resulting : matter
before / followed by
its contributing factor or a reason or cause
with فَ fa between them.
i.e. a matter or action, via فَ followed by its : reason / cause / contributing factor.
[ then ]
The then : used here can be compared to the then used in English for statements like, "He got 100% marks, then he has studied well".
The relevant term used in books for this meaning shade is تعليلية or illative or "assigning of reason or cause".
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 (p,n). fa فَ is used for
connecting and including / gathering : together :
a matter or action
before / followed by
its prerequisite or required preceding step
with فَ fa between them.
i.e. a matter or action, via فَ followed by its prerequisite or required preceding step.
[ then ]
The then : used here can be compared to the then used in English for statements like, "When you drive the bike, then wear the helmet".
فَإِذَا قَرَأْتَ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ فَٱسْتَعِذْ بِاللّٰهِ مِنَ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنِ ٱلرَّجِيمِ
Then when you قَرَأَ The Qur'an, then seek refuge with ALLAH from the cast out shaytaan. (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 16:98).
قَرَأَ translation attempt : Study / read : with endeavor to grasp and retain. (Further elaboration: Study / read : with endeavor to : understand / know / learn / grasp : and : retain / remember) .
9 (p,n). fa فَ is used for
connecting and including / gathering : together :
a matter or action
before / followed by
a deduction / inference / conclusion : regarding a past matter or action, based on it,
with فَ fa between them.
i.e. a matter or action, via فَ followed by a deduction / inference / conclusion : regarding a past matter or action, based on it.
[ then ]
The then : used here can be compared to the then used in English for statements like, "If the door lock is broken, then someone has broken into the house".
إِنْ كَانَ قَمِيصُهُۥ قُدَّ مِن قُبُلٍ فَصَدَقَتْ وَهُوَ مِنَ ٱلْكَـٰذِبِينَ وَإِنْ كَانَ قَمِيصُهُۥ قُدَّ مِنْ دُبُرٍ فَكَذَبَتْ وَهُوَ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰدِقِينَ
...if his shirt has been torn from front then she has spoken the truth and he is of the liars and if his shirt has been torn from rear then she has lied and he is of the truthful. (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 12:26-27).
10 (p,n). fa فَ is used for
connecting and including / gathering : together :
a matter or action
before / followed by
mention of a related past matter or action that makes it easier to understand / accept / believe etc. : the matter or action mentioned before فَ fa.
with فَ fa between them.
i.e. a matter or action, via فَ followed by a mention of a related past matter or action that makes it easier to understand / accept / believe etc. : the matter or action mentioned before فَ fa.
[ then ]
The then : used here can be compared to the then used in English for statements like, "if he commits a crime, then his brother has already committed the crime earlier".
قَالُوٓاْ إِن يَّسْرِقْ فَقَدْ سَرَقَ أَخٌ لَّهُۥ مِنْ قَبْلُ
They said, "if he steals, then a brother to him has already stolen from before". " (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 12:77).
11 (p,n). fa فَ is used for
connecting and including / gathering : together :
a matter or event or action related to the addressees
before / followed by
recommended followup action for the addressees
with فَ fa between them.
i.e. a matter or event or action related to the addressees, via فَ followed by recommended followup action for the addressees.
[ | so | ]
The so : used here can be compared to the then used in English for statements like, "your parents have been kind towards you, so treat them kindly".
إِنَّآ أَنْزَلْنَآ إِلَيْكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ بِٱلْحَقِّ فَٱعْبُدِ اللّٰهَ
Indeed We have Sent down to you the Book with the truth so do عِبَادَة of ALLAH (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 39:2).
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. (Slave in the classical sense of proper ownership by master who even had the authority to kill the slave and no one could question the master for doing so and the slave was bound to be compliant to the master unconditionally. Servant will be the wrong word here, and gives the wrong sense of mutual agreement and has some authority for the servant also.)
12 (n). fa فَ is used for
connecting and including / gathering : together :
a required action to be done by the addressee
or a requirement or command to the addressee
before / followed by
next required action to be done by the addressee
or next requirement or command to the addressee
with فَ fa between them.
i.e. a a required action to be done by the addressee, via فَ followed by next required action to be done by the addressee.
[ then , and then ]
The then : used here can be compared to the then used in English for statements like, "study vocabulary and then study grammar".
قُمْ فَأَنْذِرْ
arise and then warn (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 74:2).
13 (p,n). fa فَ is used for
connecting and including / gathering : together :
a reference to some quality or position or relation or role of the addressee i.e. what the addressee is (e.g. as in 2:286, 7:155) or what the addressee is not (e.g. as in 50:45)
before / followed by
a request to the addressee
with فَ fa between them.
i.e. a reference to some quality or position or relation or role of the addressee, via فَ followed by a request to the addressee.
[ | so | ]
The so : used here can be compared to the then used in English for statements like, "you are the travel guide, so take us via the best route".
أَنْتَ مَوْلَىٰنَا فَٱنْصُرْنَا عَلَى ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ
You are our مَوْلَىٰ Mawlaa* , so Help* us against the qawm* of the kaafiroon*. (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 2:286).
*Mawlaa مَوْلَىٰ translation attempt: Recourse / source / one : to : ally with / side with / take stand with etc. (Core meaning shade of و ل ى inference attempt: 2 or more things coming adjacent to the other in such a way that there is no hurdle between them or between their physical or logical contact.)
*help : The help meant by this root ن ص ر is usually help / aid / assistance / support : in facing an enemy or opposing force.
*qawm قَوْم translation attempt: Group of people having a common stand in terms of a : belief / location / community etc.
kaafiroon* كَافِرُون translation attempt : Those who cover up (belief / thankfulness etc.). Those who cover up (the natural inclination to be receptive to the Qur'an and Islam). Those who cover up (the receptiveness to The Qur'an and Islam).
14 (p,n). fa فَ is used for
connecting and including / gathering : together :
a statement to the addressee
before / followed by
a question to the addressee related to the preceding statement
with فَ fa between them.
i.e. a statement to the addressee, via فَ followed by a question to the addressee related to the preceding statement.
[ [ then ] , | so | ]
قُلْ إِنَّمَا يُوحَىٰٓ إِلَىَّ أَنَّمَآ إِلَـٰهُكُمْ إِلَـٰهٌ وَّٰحِدٌ ۖ فَهَلْ أَنْتُم مُّسْلِمُونَ
Say, "Indeed what has been revealed* to me is that indeed what your إِلَـٰه Ilaah* is, is a single إِلَـٰه Ilaah*, then are you Muslims*"
Say, "Indeed what has been revealed* to me is that indeed what your إِلَـٰه Ilaah* is, is a single إِلَـٰه Ilaah*, so are you Muslims*"
(Translation attempts for Words from The Qur'an 21:108).
إِلَـٰه Ilaah translation attempt : One who, according to the ones holding this view:
deserves to be offered عِبَادَة Ibadah,
who is awe-inspiring and deserves : worship / reverence / adoration,
who can be called upon for help / aid / refuge / safety, due to belief in such to have power over benefit or loss, and over provision of refuge / safety / preservation / aid etc.
revealed* يُوحَىٰ translation attempt : it has been secretly / subtly : inspired / revealed / conveyed.
Muslims* translation attempt : those who have surrendered themselves (to ALLAH).
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.
15 (p,n). fa فَ is used for
connecting and including / gathering : together :
a condition or question to the addressee
before / followed by
required followup action by the addressee to prove positive compliance to the question or condition
with فَ fa between them.
i.e. a condition or question to the addressee, via فَ followed by required followup action by the addressee to prove positive compliance to the question or condition.
[ then ]
قُلْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللّٰهَ فَٱتَّبِعُونِى
Say, "if you(pl) had been holding dear, ALLAH, then conduct yourselves following me..." (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 3:31).
16 (p,a,n). fa فَ is used for
connecting and including / gathering : together :
a matter or thing
before / followed by
what comes by proceeding onwards in the particular context and sense
with فَ fa between them.
i.e. a matter or thing, via فَ followed by what comes by proceeding onwards in the particular context and sense.
(For indicating : grades / degrees / levels : of an implied : attribute / quality : connected via فَ i.e with a فَ in between the subsequent : grades / degrees / levels.)
[ [ and then ] , | and onwards | ]
ۚ 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.
17 (p,n). fa فَ is used for
connecting and including / gathering : together :
a statement
before / followed by
a statement regarding possibility or non possibility of something related to the preceding statement
with فَ fa between them.
i.e. a statement, via فَ followed by a statement regarding possibility or non possibility of something related to the preceding statement.
[ then ]
ۖ 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).
18 (p,n).fa فَ is also used with إِنَّ i.e فَإِنَّ
This fa فَ is used for
connecting and including / gathering : together :
a matter or statement
before / followed by
an established fact or ground reality starting with إِنَّ related to the preceding statement with فَ fa between them.
i.e. a matter or statement, via فَ followed by an established fact or ground reality starting with إِنَّ related to the preceding statement.
[ [ then ] , | so | ]
قَالَ فَٱخْرُجْ مِنْهَا فَإِنَّكَ رَجِيمٌ
He said, "Then get out from it, so indeed you are an outcast". (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 15:34).
ۖ قُلْ إِنَّ ٱلْمَوْتَ ٱلَّذِى تَفِرُّونَ مِنْهُ فَإِنَّهُۥ مُلَـٰقِيكُمْ
Say, "Indeed the death which, you(pl) are fleeing from it, then indeed it is your(pl) meeter". (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 62:8).
19 (p,n).fa فَ is also used with أَ i.e أَفَ
This fa فَ is used for
connecting and including / gathering : together :
an interrogative أَ
before / followed by
a question
with فَ fa between them.
i.e. an interrogative أَ , via فَ followed by a question.
The then used here can be compared to the then used in English for statements like, "are you then completing the project tomorrow?" instead of using the statement "are you completing the project tomorrow?"
[ then ]
فَقُلْ أَفَلَا تَتَّقُونَ
...then say, "Will you(pl) then not conduct yourselves cautiously? (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 10:31).
20 (p,n). The fa فَ is also used for عطف الصفات بالفاء or for conjunction of epithets with فَ fa.
The epithets can be for a single being, or can be for a type of being in general, can be for multiple types of beings, but : in a related context / for a related goal. The epithets can be single words or even epithets explained in statements or in a set of words.
[ [ then , and then ] , | furthermore | ]
عَـٰلِمِ ٱلْغَيْبِ وَٱلشَّهَـٰدَةِ فَتَعَـٰلَىٰ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ
Knower of the unseen and the witnessable, then He is by Himself The Absolutely Exalted, away from what they are associating.
Knower of the unseen and the witnessable, furthermore He is by Himself The Absolutely Exalted, away from what they are associating.
(Translation attempts for Words from The Qur'an 23:92).
وَٱلذَّٰرِيَـٰتِ ذَرْوًا
فَٱلْحَـٰمِلَـٰتِ وِقْرًا
فَٱلْجَـٰرِيَـٰتِ يُسْرًا
فَٱلْمُقَسِّمَـٰتِ أَمْرًا
By the dispersers of a dispersing,
then the bearers of a heavy load,
then the flow-ers with ease,
then the distributors of a matter.
(Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 51:1-4).
21 (p,n). The fa فَ is also used for رابطة لجواب الشرط as a connector for response to the condition. This is what is suggested by various books
On a deeper analysis, we may understand it better as a followup or consequence of meeting or fulfilment of the condition.
fa فَ is used for
connecting and including / gathering : together :
a condition
before / followed by
consequence of fulfilment of the condition
with فَ fa between them.
i.e. a condition, via فَ followed by consequence of fulfilment of the condition.
[ then ]
ۖ إِن يَّنْصُرْكُمُ اللّٰهُ فَلَا غَالِبَ لَكُمْ
If ALLAH Helps you(pl) then there is no overcomer for you(pl) (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 3:160).
22 (p,n). The fa فَ is also used as رابطة لجواب الاسم الموصول وصلة الموصول or as a connector for response to the relative pronoun along with its relative clause. This is what is suggested by various books, while some also label this as a response to شبه الشرط or quasi-condition or semblance of condition.
On a deeper analysis, we may understand it better as a followup statement related to the ones indicated by the relative clause.
fa فَ is used for
connecting and including / gathering : together :
a relative clause
before / followed by
a followup statement related to the ones indicated by the relative clause
with فَ fa between them.
i.e. a relative clause, via فَ followed by a followup statement related to the ones indicated by the relative clause.
[ then ]
ۚ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ مِن بَعْدُ وَهَاجَرُواْ وَجَـٰهَدُواْ مَعَكُمْ فَأُوْلَـٰٓئِكَ مِنْكُمْ
and those who believed from afterwards and migrated and did jihaad* together with you(pl) , then those are of you(pl).
(Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 8:75).
Note that مِن بَعْدُ is pronounced مِنۢ بَعْدُ but since in many mobile internet browsers, it is not displayed properly, so I have written without the small م above the ن . When ن saakin ساكن is followed by ب then the ن is substituted by م but still written as ن with a small م over it.
جِهَاد jihaad* translation attempt : Making efforts & striving to expend one's available ability / capability / aptitude / means / energy / potential / capacity to any length required for advancing the chosen cause and for tackling and striving against all the obstacles and resistance and opposing causes that hinder the advancement of this chosen cause.
23 (p,n). fa فَ is used for
introducing/mentioning : someone / something / some matter : to the addressee
and then making a statement regarding required followup by the addressee related to it
with فَ between them.
i.e. introducing/mentioning : someone / something / some matter : to the addressee, via فَ followed by a statement regarding required followup by the addressee related to it.
[ [ then ] , | so | ]
Some books examples for this usage of فَ as زائدة or redundant (i.e. to be left untranslated). Some books label examples with this usage of فَ as سبب بلا عطف or cause without conjunction. But I don't agree with both these opinions.
هَـٰذَا فَلْيَذُوقُوهُ
This, so you(pl) are to taste it...
This, then you(pl) are to taste it...
(Translation attempts for Words from The Qur'an 38:57).
وَٱلسَّارِقُ وَٱلسَّارِقَةُ فَٱقْطَعُوٓاْ أَيْدِيَهُمَا
and the thief and the thiefess, then you(pl) cut off their(dl) hands...
and the thief and the thiefess, so you(pl) cut off their(dl) hands...
(Translation attempts for Words from The Qur'an 5:38).
24 (p,s2,n). The فاء السببية illative فَ is used to indicate the connected effect / result / consequence of fulfilment of what is mentioned before it in the form of a subjunctive or منصوب verb. This subjunctive verb indicates a dependent action, dependent on fulfilment of what is mentioned before it. This subjunctive verb indicates an affected action, carrying the effect from what is mentioned before it. It is not an independent action. It may also be called hypothetical, i.e. subject to occurrence of the preceding statement.
This منصوب or subjunctive verb following فَ indicates that the action conveyed by this verb is bound to happen if what is mentioned before it happens, i.e. its happening is dependent on the happening of the preceding statement. Moreover, the action conveyed by this verb has no chance of happening if what is mentioned before it does not happen. We can also say, this subjunctive verb is subordinate or contingent to occurrence of the preceding statement. Moreover, the action described by this subjunctive verb can only occurr in the future.
This subjunctive verb, may denote not only results or effects of conscious and intended actions, but also those of physical, unconscious or instinctive actions.
Some say that when the utterance preceding فَ is bound to happen or inevitable, in this case it is not possible to use subjunctive verb or منصوب rather indicative or مرفوع verb is used as this action is also inevitable and bound to happen and is a matter of fact.
It is not possible for anything to come between فاء السببية illative فَ and the مضارع منصوب except لا النافية
Here, lets again review the مضارع منصوب or subjunctive verb used after وَ in which the subjunctive verb represents a parallel action, done along with the preceding statement or verb. This subjunctive verb is dependent on, subordinate and contingent to, the preceding statement or verb. It has no existence without the existence or occurrence of the preceding statement or verb.
The preceding statements are of 2 types for which فاء السببية or illative فَ is used with the جواب or response.
نفي or negation and طلب or seeking and طلب is then further subdivided into various types i.e أمر or command and دعاء or supplication and نهي or prohibition and استفهام or interrogation and تحضيض or urging and تمني or wish and ترجي or hoping and عرض or proposal.
[ | whereupon | , { in consequence of which , based on which , as an effect of which (these include the the effect in translation due to subjunctive منصوب case of following verb) } ]
Note: For whereupon, following meaning shades are mentioned online, "at which / at which point / upon which" and "closely following" and "in consequence of which". The meaning shade applicable for this point is "in consequence of which".
Below are some examples of usage from The Qur'an.
Example of جواب النفي
لَا يُقْضَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ فَيَمُوتُواْ
There will be no: ending upon them whereupon they die.
There will be no: ending upon them in consequence of which they die.
(Translation attempts for Words from The Qur'an 35:36).
Note: This subjunctive verb or مضارع منصوب is dependent on the preceding verb and what comes after it related to it, and has no link to لَا
Now compare this with the below example in which فَ is followed by مضارع مرفوع
وَلَا يُؤْذَنُ لَهُمْ فَيَعْتَذِرُونَ
and it will not be : they are conveyed permission verbally and then they make excuses for themselves. (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 77:36).
In the above Ayah, apparently, the مضارع مرفوع or indicative verb is not an effect of the preceding verb, rather it just follows after the preceding verb as a next possible step that can follow after the occurrence of the preceding verb.
Example of جواب الأمر
I couldn't find any example for it from The Qur'an which can be covered in this category with satisfaction. So, below is a hypothetical example
يَقُولُ لَهُۥ قُمْ فَيَقُومَ
Translation attempt: He says to him, "stand, whereupon / in consequence of which / as an effect of which he stands"
Now compare this to the below Ayah with مضارع مرفوع or indicative verb. Some claim that it is for استئناف or resumption, but I could not find any case which can be labeled as such with surety and some grammarians also do not believe such usage for فَ fa.
يَقُولُ لَهُۥ كُنْ فَيَكُونُ
He Says for it, "Be" and then it becomes. (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 2:117).
The فَ used here is conjunctive or عاطفة which can be translated as and then.
Example of جواب النهي
وَلَا تَقْرَبَا هَـٰذِهِ ٱلشَّجَرَةَ فَتَكُونَا مِنَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
and do not approach this tree whereupon you(dl) will become of the doers of ظُلْم
and do not approach this tree in consequence of which / as an effect of which you(dl) will become of the doers of ظُلْم
(Translation attempts for Words from The Qur'an 2:35).
ظُلْم translation attempt : blocking / obstruction / hindrance / violation of what is rightful / required / due / befitting etc.
Example of جواب الاستفهام
فَهَل لَّنَا مِنْ شُفَعَآءَ فَيَشْفَعُواْ لَنَا
so are there for us any intercessors whereupon they intercede for us.
so are there for us any intercessors in consequence of which they intercede for us.
(Translation attempts for Words from The Qur'an 7:53).
Example of جواب التمني
يَـٰلَيْتَنِى كُنْتُ مَعَهُمْ فَأَفُوزَ فَوْزًا عَظِيمًا
...O : would that / if only : I, I had been together with them, whereupon / in consequence of which : I would attain an عَظِيم attainment. (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 4:73).
عَظِيم translation attempt : Of great significance. Of : great / major / chief / core / foundational : significance / importance / account / estimation /seriousness.
Would that : A quick google search gives: "Used for saying that you wish that something were true, especially when you know that it is impossible". Another option is "if only" : "used to express a wish, especially regretfully." No equivalent word in English, while in Urdu, the word كاش is used. InshaALLAH once notes are prepared for this particle, more thorough research will be done to conclude an even better translation.
Example of جواب لَوْ
فَلَوْ أَنَّ لَنَا كَرَّةً فَنَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
so were it that indeed there was for us another turn whereupon / in consequence of which we would be of the believers
(Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 26:102).
Example of جواب الترجي
وَمَا يُدْرِيكَ لَعَلَّهُۥ يَزَّكَّىٰٓ
أَوْ يَذَّكَّرُ فَتَنْفَعَهُ ٱلذِّكْرَىٰٓ
and what will make you realize, maybe he will attain تَزْكِيَة tazkiyah*, or bears in mind, whereupon / in consequence of which benefits him, the remembrance. (Translation attempt for Words from The Qur'an 80:3-4).
*tazkiyah تَزْكِيَة translation attempt : attain growth step by step towards your true potential by purifying yourself from the impurities and hurdles.
Example of جواب التحضيض
وَقَالُواْ مَالِ هَـٰذَا ٱلرَّسُولِ يَأْكُلُ ٱلطَّعَامَ وَيَمْشِى فِى ٱلْأَسْوَاقِ لَوْلَآ أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْهِ مَلَكٌ فَيَكُونَ مَعَهُۥ نَذِيرًا
and they said, "what is to this messenger, he eats the food and moves about naturally* in the markets, : were it not* / had it not been : , an angel would have been sent down to him whereupon / in consequence of which he would be together with him a warner..."
and they said, "what is to this messenger, he eats the food and moves about naturally* in the markets, why were it not, an angel was sent down to him whereupon / in consequence of which he is along with him a warner..."
(Translation attempts for Words from The Qur'an 25:7).
*were it not لَوْلَا translation attempt for cases like these based on a quick study: were it not.
Apparently, in this usage, the speaker, tries to prove his point of view or what he wants to achieve, by following لَوْلَا 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. Other translations presented by some translators include: Why not, why has no, why were it not, if only etc. More research is required to further refine the understanding of this usage of لَوْلَا
*moves about naturally يَمْشِى translation attempt: Moves about naturally. Move from place to place using the body's natural way of moving about. For humans, this means moving about by foot.
To study this particle 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 :
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 .
s2 = The Subjunctive Mood in Arabic Grammmatical Thought by Arik Sadan .
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
Learn Arabic Particle وَ meaning shades and usage.
See Arabic Particles Meanings series to learn Arabic particles and related words' meanings.
Also see Arabic Particles Quick Study Tool.
Post 1st published on : 7th January 2020.
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Post's relevant content last edited on : 11th September 2020. (1 Ayah's translation attempt improved further)
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) ]
/ = and or or.
: = previous statement continues to next statement.
1 (n) . The core meaning shade of وَ wa appears to be:
inclusion / ad-junction / addition / collection / gathering together / collecting together / including together / mentioning together
OR
mentioning 1 matter:
together with / included with / scoped with / along with / in parallel with
another matter or with a matter within the scope of, or linked to, the 1st matter.
In other words وَ wa is actually a particle for joining written / spoken / thought : words / verbs / statements / sentences / topics etc. Even if there is no common context, the mere fact of being spoken or written or thought of in common context is enough in some cases.)
Below are the most common translations along with a brief explanation.
[ and ] : Used in most cases. This may include, inclusion of 2nd matter with 1st matter in the same context or rule. It may include doing 1 thing and then doing another in a particular scope, or mentioning of the things done or existing or occurring in a particular scope. It may also mean including together totally irrelevant statements. This inclusion is just the inclusion by the speaker or writer in compiling his speech or text.
[ | while, along with , in parallel with | , [ and ] ] : used in cases which involve some duration or parallel execution (parallel execution is of 2 types: either the 2 matters run parallel to each other, or 1 matter runs along with or parallel to the fact that the another matter already occurred or exists or has been executed). With the 2 or more matters collected together, i.e. when 1 matter passes a duration along with another matter, or 1 matter runs parallel to the other matter or runs at the same time as the other matter or 1 matter runs along with the fact that the another matter already occurred or exists or has been executed. Such cases, give the sense of while, when, along with etc. The 2nd matter may be a secondary matter to the 1st matter i.e. within the scope of it or linked to it. The مفعول معه accompanying object , the فعل مضارع منصوب accusative imperfect verb, state / condition حال cases etc. coming after وَ wa, all can be understood better with this concept in mind.
[ | by , along with (as a : sign / evidence / witness / surety / guarantee) | ] : Used in swearing cases. By is used due to limitation of a different word in English. The inclusion of a : sign / evidence / witness / surety / guarantee : in genitive case مَجْرُور majroor by means of prefixed وَ wa:
as evidence to the veracity of the claims made in the next statement
OR to further emphasize the : certainty / seriousness / importance : of the next statement.
2 (n,p,a). What is mentioned before وَ and what is mentioned after وَ have related context / matter / issue / topic / action / ruling / relation / angle etc. Via وَ wa, the 2 related matters are included together.
Inclusion / addition / involvement / introduction : of another related matter / issue : in the written / verbal : discussion via وَ wa.
This inclusion / addition is without regard to actual order or delay. i.e. together or in order or in reverse order (i.e. in actual reality, statement is still in order, it just mentioned things out of actual sequence). There may be proximity or delay in the 2 or more things depending on context. The relevant term used in books for this shade of وَ is عطف or conjunction.
[ and ]
أَرْسَلْنَا نُوحًا وَإِبْرَٰهِيمَ
WE sent Nooh and Ibraaheem (Translation attempt for words from The Qur'an 57:26)
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)
فَأَنْجَيْنَـٰهُ وَأَصْحَـٰبَ ٱلسَّفِينَةِ
then WE Made Rescued, him and the companions of the ship. (Translation attempt for words from The Qur'an 29:15)
(Order is same as the actual order in 1st case while the order reversed in 2nd case while action is applied in parallel in the 3rd case. Thus, the main purpose is to tell who is included in the scope and whether the details are provided in sequence or not, does not matter).
3 (f,p). Sometimes the matters included or gathered together via وَ wa are opposite.
What is mentioned before وَ and what is mentioned after وَ have related context / matter / issue / topic etc., but both are opposite or contrary. Via وَ wa, the 2 related but opposing matters are included together. The relevant term used in books for this shade of وَ is اعتراض or adversative.
[ and ]
وَاللّٰهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتُمْ لَاتَعْلَمُونَ
and ALLAH Knows and you(pl) don't know. (Translation attempt for words from The Qur'an 2:216)
4 (n,p,a). What is mentioned before وَ and what is mentioned after وَ have different context / matter / issue / topic / action / ruling / relation / angle etc. Inclusion / addition / involvement / introduction : of a new topic or subject in the written / verbal : discussion : via وَ wa. Via وَ wa, the 2 unrelated / different matters are included together in written or spoken text / speech. If imperfect verb is used in statement coming after this وَ wa, it is usually مَرْفُوع marfoo' i.e. in indicative case, naturally since a new statement or topic has been initiated after وَ wa with no direct relation to previous statement. The relevant term used in books for this shade of وَ is استئناف or Inception / resumption / renewal.
[ and ]
فَبَآءُو بِغَضَبٍ عَلَىٰ غَضَبٍ ۚ وَلِلْكَـٰفِرِينَ عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌ وَ إِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ ءَامِنُواْ بِمَآ أَنْزَلَ اللّٰهُ
...so they settled back down with wrath upon wrath and there is for the kaafiroon* a humiliating punishment. And when it is said to them, "believe in what ALLAH Has Sent Down". (Translation attempt for words from The Qur'an 2:90-91)
Kaafiroon* كَافِرُون translation attempt : Those who cover up (belief / thankfulness etc.). Those who cover up (the natural inclination to be receptive to the Qur'an and Islam). Those who cover up (the receptiveness to The Qur'an and Islam).
5 (p,a,q,n,f). What is mentioned before وَ has its or something else's حَال state / condition / situation / circumstance : explained via what is mentioned after وَ i.e.
statement 1 + wa (along with circumstance) + statement 2.
Circumstance may also include the circumstance of a matter that has already occurred or exists or has been executed.
Inclusion / addition / involvement : of additional information for preceding statement in the form of an accompanying حَال state / condition / situation / circumstance via وَ wa in the written / spoken : discussion.
Such cases usually involve some duration or parallel execution (parallel execution is of 2 types: either the 2 matters run parallel to each other, or 1 matter runs along with or parallel to the fact that the another matter already occurred or exists or has been executed). The 2 or more matters are collected together, i.e. when 1 matter passes a duration along with another matter, or 1 matter runs parallel to the other matter or runs at the same time (simultaneously) as the other matter or 1 matter runs along with the fact that the another matter already occurred or exists or has been executed. The relevant term used in books for this shade of وَ is حالية or Circumstantial.
[ [ and ] , | while | , (when, whereas) ]
وَ تَحْسَبُهُمْ أَيْقَاظًا وَهُمْ رُقُودٌ
and you would reckon them awake while they were asleep. (Translation attempt for words from The Qur'an 18:18)
وَمَاتُواْ وَهُمْ كَـٰفِرُونَ
and they died while they were kaafiroon. (Translation attempt for words from The Qur'an 9:125)
ۖ قَالَ رَبِّ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِى غُلَـٰمٌ وَقَدْ بَلَغَنِىَ ٱلْكِبَرُ وَٱمْرَأَتِى عَاقِرٌ
He said, "My Maintaining-Lord, from what way can there be for me a boy while big age has already reached me and my woman is barren". (Translation attempt for words from The Qur'an 3:40)
جَآءَ زَيْدٌ وَقَدْ طَلَعَتِ ٱلشَّمْسُ
Zaid came while the sun had already risen. (Translation attempt for an example involving something else's circumstance)
6 (n,p). What is mentioned before وَ has an accompanying object i.e maf'ool مَفْعُول in accusative case i.e. mansoob مَنْصُوب mentioned after وَ wa. There is no certain example for usage of this type in The Qur'an.
Inclusion / addition / involvement : of additional information for preceding statement in the form of an accompanying object in accusative case via وَ wa. The relevant term used in books for this shade of وَ is مفعول معه or accompanying object.
[ | along with | ]
سِرْتُ وَٱلنَّهْرَ
I walked along with the river. (Translation attempt for an example.)
7 (n,p). What is mentioned before وَ has an accompanying mansoob مَنْصُوب imperfect verb mentioned after وَ wa.
Inclusion / addition / involvement : of an accompanying or parallel action or verb via وَ. The relevant term used in إعراب القرآن i'rab ul Qur'an books for this shade of وَ is معية and in English we may say accompanying.
[ | while , along with , in parallel with | ]
أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَنْ تَدْخُلُواْ ٱلْجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَعْلَمِ اللّٰهُ ٱلَّذِينَ جَـٰهَدُواْ مِنْكُمْ وَيَعْلَمَ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ
Or is it that you(pl) have reckoned that you(pl) will enter The Garden while ALLAH has not yet Flagged* the ones from you who did Jihaad* while Flagging* the Saabiroon*.
OR
Or is it that you(pl) have reckoned that you(pl) will enter The Garden while ALLAH has not made obvious the ones from you who did Jihaad* while Making obvious the Saabiroon*.
OR
Or is it that you(pl) have reckoned that you(pl) will enter The Garden while ALLAH has not made known the ones from you who did Jihaad* while Making known the Saabiroon*.
(Translation attempts for words from The Qur'an 3:142)
Jihaad جِهَاد translation attempt : Making efforts & striving to expend one's available ability / capability / aptitude / means / energy / potential / capacity to any length required for advancing the chosen cause and for tackling and striving against all the obstacles and resistance and opposing causes that hinder the advancement of this chosen cause.
Saabiroon صَابِرُون translation attempt : Those who manifest a tranquil / calm / composed / grounded / patient / steadfast : state, free from : worry / grief / sorrow / regret / agitation / uneasiness / complaining etc. in the face of what befalls them or has befallen them.
flag : mark (an item) for attention or treatment in a specified way.
flag* (modified) : mark (an item) for attention or treatment in a specified way after practically putting it to the test, regardless of foreknowledge of it.
Note: Translation requires not only keeping meaning of word in view, but also context in which that word is used, and the being to whom that word is used in reference with.
لَا تَأْكُلِ ٱلسَّمَكَ وَتَشْرَبَ ٱللَّبَنَ
Don't eat fish in parallel with / along with / while drinking milk. (Translation attempt for an example.)
8 (n,p,s). What is mentioned in genitive case, i.e. majroor مَجْرُور case after وَ is included in a form of swearing by means of وَ wa, for the statement coming after this majroor مَجْرُور word.
The inclusion : of a sign / evidence / witness / surety / guarantee in genitive case مَجْرُور majroor by means of prefixed وَ wa:
as evidence to the veracity of the claims made in the next statement
OR to further emphasize the : certainty / seriousness / importance : of the next statement.
The relevant term used in books for this shade of وَ is قَسَم or oath. This وَ wa is not used with pronouns, nor used with the verb of swearing.
[ | by , along with (as a : sign / evidence / witness / surety / guarantee) | ]
نٓ ۚ وَٱلْقَلَمِ وَمَا يَسْطُرُونَ
Nuun. By the pen and what they inscribe line by line.
OR
Nuun. Along with (as a sign or surety or witness) the pen and what they inscribe line by line. (Translation attempts for words from The Qur'an 68:1)
9 (n). Some assert that وَ wa is also sometimes used in the meaning shade of فَ fa, but it is actually used in its original meaning shade and the mere fact that the things done are included together in sequence or order or just because فَ fa is usually used more often in such cases, does not mean that by saying or writing وَ wa, the speaker or writer actually meant فَ instead of وَ wa.
[ and ]
Below simple examples are provided to compare the 2.
جَآءَ زَيْدٌ وَقَامَ وَجَلَسَ وَأَكَلَ
Translation attempt: Zaid came and he stood and he sat and he ate. (In this example focus is on what things were done by Zaid, i.e. he did this and that and that.)
جَآءَ زَيْدٌ فَقَامَ فَجَلَسَ فَأَكَلَ
Translation attempt: Zaid came and then he stood and then he sat and then he ate.(In this example focus is on the sequence in which the things were done by Zaid, i.e. he did this and then that and then that.)
10 (n,a). Some assert that وَ wa is also sometimes used in the meaning shade of أَوْ aw, but it is actually used in its original meaning shade. In languages, there are multiple ways of conveying the same information and various ways have different focus. Speaker doesn't usually choose 1 word over another without any reason. e.g. in English, we can say "you can drive car 1 and car 2 and car 3" and we can also say "you can drive car 1 or car 2 or car 3". In the 1st "and" case, focus is on which cars are included in the group of allowed cars for the driver. In the 2nd "or" case, focus is on the choice of the driver.
[ and ]
وَمَن يَّكْفُرْ بِٱللّٰهِ وَمَلَـٰٓئِكَتِهِۦ وَكُتُبِهِۦ وَرُسُلِهِۦ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْآخِرِ فَقَدْ ضَلَّ ضَلَـٰلَۢا بَعِيدًا
and whoever covers up (receptiveness to) belief in ALLAH and the Angels and the Books and the Messengers and the Last Day, then he has already erred a far off error. (Translation attempt for words from The Qur'an 4:136)
وَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَلَّا تُقْسِطُواْ فِى ٱلْيَتَـٰمَىٰ فَٱنْكِحُواْ مَا طَابَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلنِّسَآءِ مَثْنَىٰ وَثُلَـٰثَ وَرُبَـٰعَ
and if you(pl) fear that you will not be just in (the matter of) the orphans, then you(pl) 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)
11 (q). Wa وَ is also used in numbers : 21 to 29, 31 to 39, 41 to 49, 51 to 59, 61 to 69, 71 to 79, 81 to 89, 91 to 99.
[ [ and , " " ] , | along with | ]
تِسْعٌ وَتِسْعُونَ نَعْجَةً
9 and 90 a ewe. 9 and 90 ewes. 99 ewes. (Translation attempts for words from The Qur'an 38:23)
ewe = a female sheep. Also, a is written before ewe and not an due to pronunciation in English.
12 (n,h,p). The wa وَ is also used after interrogative أَ i.e أَوَ awa. Apparently, wa وَ in such cases is usually used in the meaning shade of moreover / also / furthermore etc., i.e. including the next statement to interrogative via وَ i.e. is it moreover / also / furthermore.
Is it this and this. Is it ... and this. Is it moreover this.
[ [ and ] , | moreover , also , furthermore | ]
أَوَلَا يَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّ اللّٰهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا يُسِرُّونَ وَمَا يُعْلِنُونَ
Do they moreover not know that indeed ALLAH Knows what they keep secret and what they disclose. (Translation attempt for words from The Qur'an 2:77).
Alternate opinions are that it is originally وَأَ and then both are transposed to become أَوَ awa to give notice of thoroughness of priority of أَ a. Perhaps, we may understand this opinion by considering that in English, a question mark is used at the end for the entire statement. Similarly, here perhaps أَ a may have been put at the beginning for the entire statement including وَ wa. In such cases وَ wa can be translated as and and translation of أَ can follow afterwards i.e. "and is it" etc. Another opinion is that both أَ and وَ wa are in their original positions and the statement directly coming after أَ is suppressed. Books in English have usually translated the أَ in such cases as "what?". This is followed by وَ wa which can be translated as and. My view is closer to the 2nd view, the difference is, I translate أَ differently and I don't believe anything is suppressed, rather this is just a style of omitting and not mentioning any statement directly after أَ and instead including a statement after it via وَ wa.
أَوَلَا يَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّ اللّٰهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا يُسِرُّونَ وَمَا يُعْلِنُونَ
Do they moreover not know that indeed ALLAH Knows what they keep secret and what they disclose. (Translation attempt for words from The Qur'an 2:77). (My view which I prefer over below alternate opinions)
أَوَلَا يَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّ اللّٰهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا يُسِرُّونَ وَمَا يُعْلِنُونَ
and do they not know that indeed ALLAH Knows what they keep secret and what they disclose. (Translation attempt for words from The Qur'an 2:77). (based on alternate opinion 1)
أَوَلَا يَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّ اللّٰهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا يُسِرُّونَ وَمَا يُعْلِنُونَ
What? and do they not know that indeed ALLAH Knows what they keep secret and what they disclose. (Translation attempt for words from The Qur'an 2:77).(based on alternate opinion 2)
13 (n,a). The wa وَ is also used before laow لَوْ i.e وَلَوْ walaow. Can be translated in English as "and" in most cases, depending on context and "including (the case)" or "even" in some cases depending on context. In "even" cases, 1 matter is there, or is done or is to be done even if some other matter is there or is done or is being done or is possible.
[ [ and ] , | including (the case) , even | ]
وَلَوْلَا دَفْعُ اللّٰهِ ٱلنَّاسَ بَعْضَهُمْ بِبَعْضٍ لَّفَسَدَتِ ٱلْأَرْضُ
And had it not been ALLAH's repelling of the humans, some of them by means of some, definitely the earth would have been corrupted. (Translation attempt for words from The Qur'an 2:251).
ۗ وَلَا تَنْكِحُواْ ٱلْمُشْرِكَـٰتِ حَتَّىٰ يُؤْمِنَّ ۚ وَلَأمَةٌ مُّؤْمِنَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِّن مُّشْرِكَةٍ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَتْكُم
And do not marry the associators(fem) till they(fem) believe. And definitely a believer(fem) she-slave is better than an associator(fem) even if she amazes you(pl).
And do not marry the associators(fem) till they(fem) believe. And definitely a believer(fem) she-slave is better than an associator(fem) including (the case) if she amazes you(pl). (Translation attempts for words from The Qur'an 2:221).
14 (n,p). The wa وَ is also used before laakin لـٰكِنْ i.e وَلـٰكِنْ walaakin. In such cases وَ wa is usually not translated in English and its role seems to be, to simply add / include / mention the statement starting with لـٰكِنْ laakin with the previous statement.
[ " " , and ]
إِنَّهُمْ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْسِدُونَ وَلَـٰكِن لَّا يَشْعُرُونَ
...Indeed them, they are the corruptors, but they don't perceive. (Translation attempt for words from The Qur'an 2:12).
15 (n,a). The wa وَ is also used after illaa إِلَّا i.e إِلَّا وَ illaa wa. Usually, in such cases it is in the meaning shade of while.
[ | while | ]
وَمَا يُؤْمِنُ أَكْثَرُهُمْ بِاللّٰهِ إِلَّا وَهُم مُّشْرِكُونَ
And most of them do not believe in ALLAH, except while they are associators. (Translation attempt for words from The Qur'an 12:106).
16 (n,p). When wa وَ is used before the 2nd إِمَّا immaa, the wa وَ in this case gathers together the mutually exclusive cases and options both staring with إِمَّا immaa, only 1 of which may be true or valid. The easy way chosen mostly is to translate وَإِمَّا wa immaa together as "or" since in English it is very difficult to use "and" for mutually exclusive cases, with the current English translations of "either" and "whether" being used for إِمَّا immaa. More research is required to further verify the meaning shades of إِمَّا immaa, but for now, based on a quick research, 2 meaning shades are being provided. In cases where 1 immaa إِمَّا is used, in such cases we may translate it as "in case (if it is the case (that) / if the case be (that))" and in cases where 2nd إِمَّا imma comes with وَ wa, in such cases it may be transtaled as "it may be (that) / it can be (that) / it may be the case (that) / it can be the case (that) / whether" etc. In google, by searching "whether meaning" or "define whether" 1 of the meanings given for whether is "indicating that a statement applies whichever of the alternatives mentioned is the case."
[ [ and ] , { or } ]
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". (Translation attempt for words from The Qur'an 7:115).
17 (n,p,a). According to some, wa وَ is also sometimes زَائِدَة or redundant. I don't agree with this view, since none of the examples presented in books prove this asserted redundancy and wa وَ can be easily understood in these examples, using the meaning shades already discussed.
Let's analyse the concept of redundancy using English. Suppose, if I say, "I wrote post 1 and post 2 and post 3", then you cannot claim that 1st "and" in my statement is redundant and is added for no good reason and with no meaning, just because the common way is to say "I wrote post 1, post 2 and post 3". You cannot claim this just because of grammar rules (based on common usage) which are made after languages are made and practiced. Exceptions and rare variation of styles exist in languages and grammar rules usually don't go into such exceptions.
[ and ]
فَلَمَّآ أَسْلَمَا وَتَلَّهُۥ لِلْجَبِينِ وَنَـٰدَيْنَـٰهُ أَن يَّــٰٓإِبْرَٰهِيمُ
Then when they(2) surrendered and he laid him down to (/ by) the forehead's side and WE Called out to him that "O Ibraaheem! ..." (Translation attempt for words from The Qur'an 37:103-104).
By translating وَ wa, all 3 parts are included together in context instead of isolating 1 part and only including 2 parts. Some assert that either 1st or 2nd wa وَ is redundant. So let's see the translation attempts with these 2 assertions.
Then when they(2) surrendered, he laid him down to (/ by) the forehead's side and WE Called out to him that "O Ibraaheem! ..." (Translation attempt for words from The Qur'an 37:103-104). This isolates the 1st part (their surrendering) and only includes together the 2nd and 3rd parts.
Then when they(2) surrendered and he laid him down to (/ by) the forehead's side, WE Called out to him that "O Ibraaheem! ..." (Translation attempt for words from The Qur'an 37:103-104). This isolates the 3rd part (ALLAH's Calling out to Ibraaheem (peace be upon him)) and only includes together the 1st and 2nd parts.
18 (n,p,a). According to some wa وَ is also used when adding the 8th member to a group of 7 members gathered without وَ and also to mention the 8th member in the discussion. The assertion is that Arabs count like this, 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 and 8. i.e. before the 8th they add a وَ wa. Such usage can usually be covered under conjunctive "and" or circumstantial "while" or accompaniment "along with" depending on context.
These 7 and this 8th. These 7 while this 8th etc. These 7 along with this 8th.
The Problem arises, when it is asserted that just because of this assumption, the sole purpose of this وَ is inclusion of the 8th and thus according to this view وَ wa is left untranslated. I don't agree with this view, since I believe وَ wa should be translated accordingly depending on context.
[ [ and ] , | while , along with | ]
سَيَقُولُونَ ثَلَـٰثَةٌ رَّابِعُهُمْ كَلْبُهُمْ وَيَقُولُونَ خَمْسَةٌ سَادِسُهُمْ كَلْبُهُمْ رَجْمَۢا بِٱلْغَيْبِ ۖ وَيَقُولُونَ سَبْعَةٌ وَثَامِنُهُمْ كَلْبُهُمْ
It will be that they will say, "3, their 4th is their dog" and they will say, "5, their 6th is their dog", attempting to hit the mark in the unseen, and they will say, "7 and their 8th is their dog"...
It will be that they will say, "3, their 4th is their dog" and they will say, "5, their 6th is their dog", attempting to hit the mark in the unseen, and they will say, "7 while their 8th is their dog"...(Translation attempts for words from The Qur'an 18:22).
To study this particle 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 :
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 .
s = A Study of Qur'anic Oaths .
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
