Ihya Academy: Qur’anic Arabic Level One - Lesson 1

Vocabulary flashcards covering core Arabic word classifications, key Qur'anic nouns, particles, verb tenses, and root derivations from Lesson 1.

Ism

Noun; one of the three main types of words in Arabic (e.g., kitabun).

Fi’l

Verb or action; one of the three main types of words in Arabic (e.g., Dha r aba - he hit).

Harf

Particle; serves as the glue that connects words together and holds no meaning of its own (e.g., Min).

Sama’

Singular of Samawat; refers to that which is above or that which covers (has height over you). In the Quran, it is used for the physical sky, metaphysical heavens, or metaphorically for clouds or rain.

Samawat

Heavens or Sky; the plural of Sama’.

Ardh

The opposite of sama; used in the Quran to mean either the Earth (as compared to the sky or planets) or Land (e.g., the land of Egypt / ardhi misra).

Nahaar

Daylight or daytime (from fajr to maghrib); derived from the root N-H-R meaning something that gushes forth (because light gushes forth).

Nahr

River; shares the root N-H-R because water gushes forth.

Fajr

For something to explode (when light explodes); it is part of nahaar and ends once the sun rises.

Yawm

A full day spanning a 24-hour cycle, contrasted with nahaar which refers strictly to daytime.

Layl

Night or the darkness of the night; conveys the general concept of night and is often contrasted with nahaar.

Laylat (Laylatu)

Singular form of layl used to emphasize a single night.

Layali

The plural form of layl, meaning nights.

“Al” Kitab vs Kitabun

Kitabun is a book or any book (indefinite); adding 'al' makes it al-kitab (the specific book).

Ayah (Ayaton)

A sign or one thing that indicates or points to another thing or reality (plural: Ayaahtun); in the Quran, refers to: ·     

1. Sign of allah in creation: the day time is a sign (an nahaaro ayah) -> takes my attentions from what is in front of me, to what is not in front of me, a higher reality. Need to take the meanings from it and direct you to a specific lesson

2. Miracle: Proof that the person who brought the proof is a prophet of allah -> this is "your” sign -indicates to the ppl that you are a prophet of god that’s why its called an ayah

3. Verse: Tilka ayaat -> these are the signs, Not jumla, its not just a sentence, but rather there is a deeper meaning or reality that the verse is pointing you to.

Be (Bi-)

A particle (harf) with multiple meanings, including 'With' (e.g., Bismillahi), 'Use of' (seeking help with the use of Allah's name), or 'qasam' (swear/oath).

Inna

An emphatic particle (taaqib) placed at the beginning of a sentence meaning 'Certainly' or 'Surely'.

Madhi

The past tense verb form in Arabic.

Mudhari’

The present tense verb form in Arabic.

Amr

The command tense verb form in Arabic.

Aql

Root (ayn, qaf, laam); refers to intellect, originally meaning to tie or restrain emotional impulses (like the rope used on an Arab head covering or to tie animals).

Yaqiloona

Present tense verb meaning 'they all are intellecting', derived from the root Aql.

Yatafakaroona

Present tense verb meaning 'they all are thinking deeply', derived from the root Fa-Ka-Ra.

Yuminoona

Present tense verb meaning 'they all are believing', 'they believe', or 'they will believe', derived from the root amn (safety).