Tabeeb is a Doctor/curer. Image used with permission. Etymology allows us look into the history of words and their origins to get a fuller and more pure understanding of a word. The Arabic script is also a religious text, it is used mainly in Islamic countries, namely in Arabia, North Africa, Persia, Central Asia and the Northwestern Indian Subcontinent. We know already that Arabic has short 3 letter words, each word covers a huge range of descriptive and visual meanings (and will be explained further with examples in a later chapter). To be precise, there are actually 2 Hebrew alphabets—the Paleo-Hebrew or Ketav Ivri, and the Imperial Aramaic or Ketav Ashuri. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Ibn Muqla developed a system of a proportioned Arabic alphabet that was based on the art of sacred geometry. Some contain a letter ‘ya’, some don’t. Wir haben viele verschiedene Hersteller ausführlichst analysiert und wir präsentieren Ihnen als Leser hier die Ergebnisse. Similar to ‘Reverse Engineering’.). One of the most significant figures in the development of this Sufi view of language was Ja‘far al-Sādiq (d. 765), a renowned scholar of religious sciences and descendent of the Prophet. As the forefront of our … Figuring out what it meant depended primarily on Arabs’ intuition, memory, and the context. As a dot in writing starts a pen’s journey, so too does the First Intellect stir life into motion and energy. You can listen to the pronunciation of the word Spiritual in clear voice from this page online through our voice dictionary a unique facility for dedicated users. Language, then, is a divine code, associated with the abstract principles through which the universe was created. a handful of seeds), he then Disperses them by throwing them in a certain Order (i.e. Numbers had to be colored or overlined to … The dot provided a multivalent symbol that simultaneously evoked the origination of letters, the origins of the universe, and even Ali as the originator of calligraphy and as a critical source for Sufi lineages. For the Sufi, language provides a systematic (but not necessarily “linear”) means of attaining to and expressing spiritual states of being, and is therefore concerned not only with the management of social relationships but also with divine-human communication. What really and concretely exists is nothing but the ink. One could go further by looking at Sad + Haa = SaH (meaning ‘correct’) because letter Sad = Constant + Haa = Life = ‘Constant Life’ (that which is Correct is ‘Constantly Living’ (‘Truth prevails.). Ra = Order. Vowels in Arabic look like dashes and symbols above or below the Arabic Letters to pronounce Arabic correctly; however, later when one is used to the Language such vowels, surprisingly enough, are not used that much; yet it is helpful for elementary/ intermediate to avoid any confusions in Correct Arabic Pronunciation. The word ‘Hib’ also means a ‘Gift’ – which is a ‘Life medium’ between two people to gain a (lovable) connection between each other. Although. Photography by Kevin Kunstadt. This does seem quite tricky and requires alot of deep thought and ‘primary base level thinking’. Have Fun. Be sure to learn the essentials like Yes, No, Where, When, Why etc and you will at least be able to understand or participate in a conversation even if you only know these basic Arabic words and phrases. If we look at the letters; Haa (Life) + Ba (Medium) = “H-B” a Life Medium. When referring to the dot underneath the second letter of the Arabic alphabet, , Sufis explained that it represented not only the beginning of words, but also the “First Intellect” manifesting from the unknown Divine Essence and even Ali himself in his extensive wisdom. The other languages have had changes to their words later in history (due to a lack of preservation of words and their classical and original meanings). How is that related to purity, you don’t know? Letters, therefore, are phonetic as well as phenomenological signs that are valued not only for semantic value but also for existential/spiritual value and arithmetic value. The goal of Sufi contemplation is to attain Oneness with the One, beyond all ordinary ideas of “relationship.” Although all of creation attests to its origin in God, and can by analogy be understood as a collection of letters or signs created by God’s pen, this “alphabet of existence” is itself ultimately an expression of God that is (in the metaphysics of Ibn al-‘Arabi) “not other” than He. We know Tayyib is that which is ‘Pure’ = in accordance with the bodies default (axis) state. Although a small amount of languages have a triliteral word root system, and an even smaller amount can break down each of the words into 1 letter etymological definitions, Arabic has uniquely remained consistent to its original etymological roots. Arabs were raised reading letters as numbers and would, as a matter of course, see words simultaneously as a collection of numbers. Here are those words again with the letter ‘ya’ highlighted in blue. Many Sufis find support for such mystical understandings of language from Quranic teachings about how God taught Adam the names of all things (i.e., taught him about their true inner nature), and in the mysterious invocation of combinations of isolated or abbreviated letters that preface 29 of the 114 Quranic, . Sahl at-Tustari (d. 896) states, “. A comological chart created by Titus Burckhardt to describe Ibn al-’Arabi’s mystical interpretation of the Arabic letters as corresponding to Quranic names of the Divine. So you don’t fall into similar mistakes in the future. The words I … In ways that mirror the Sufi master-disciple relationship, serious students of calligraphy are expected to study with a certified calligraphic master who ultimately has the right to bequeath an, , or recognized calligrapher and member of a certain calligraphic school. Text-ing therefore = ‘to do writing.’. They regarded Quranic calligraphy as a holy art that offers, (sacred blessings) to the recipient of its beauty and wisdom. Its vertical, linear form is a perfect symbol of the unifying Principle of “as above, so below,” wherein the heavens and the earth are ultimately one. , was the ultimate means for precise measurement. Why is Arabic special in regard to Etymology? For example, consider the verb /shariba/ شرب (To Drink) in Arabic … And by the record which humans write. Al-Sādiq is also regarded as the sixth Imam in Shi‘a thought. The pen of calligraphy evoked the Primordial Pen by which all was created. As in the symbolism of weaving, the vertical lines, analogous to the ‘warp’ of the fabric, correspond to the permanent essences of things—it is by the vertical that the unalterable character of each letter is affirmed—whereas the horizontal, analogous to the ‘weft,’ expresses becoming or the matter that links one thing to another.18. Need to translate "spiritual healing" to Farsi? Pursuit of excellence in the arts of calligraphy invited further reflection on how one’s human state of being might be brought to a state of perfection, within which a created human being might become a mirror of the divine. The Arab conquests of the 7th and 8th centuries ce brought the language and the script to the vast expanse of territory extending from India to the … Although many different calligraphy styles would follow Ali’s, , most calligraphers place much significance on their link to Ali, “the first master of calligraphy.”4 Some Sufis (e.g., Mir ‘Ali of Tabriz) even claim Ali as the principal source of inspiration for their own inventions in calligraphy.5, Ali’s dual status as the progenitor of many Sufi orders and of the art of calligraphy has reinforced natural connections between Sufi practices and the practice of writing in Arabic as a spiritual as well as artistic discipline. Alif … Deep penetration into the forms of language can reveal an underlying grammar and a generative sound code that correspond with higher, more abstract levels of reality emanating from the divine source. These are the "Names" of the Arabic letters, not how they sound. Due to the linguistic differences between their native languages and Arabic, … His style of calligraphy opened new horizons in contemporary Quranic calligraphy. Spiritual Meaning of Arabic Letters - Hamza Yusuf - YouTube The Arabic letter Alif is equivalent to the letter 'A' in the English alphabet. Sufis do not deny historical investigations concerning the developmental origins of signs, words, and grammars, but believe that, just as the continuous processes of creation are guided by divine purpose, so too are processes of linguistic development. Here's how you say it. The letters of alphabets have metaphysical significance as well as practical utility; they are sometimes even understood to be “beings,” or the equivalent of “cosmic DNA.” The entire text of the Qur’an can be experienced as a window upon Reality through the medium of language. (“preserved tablet”) preserves all that has been written by the Pen, then the first visual point inscribed by the cosmic pen would represent the “primordial dot.” This “primordial dot” was itself a symbol of divine Ipseity (self-identity) and the basis of creation. travelling in the Earth for business etc. Unlike other languages, like English for example, there is not a uniform list of common Arabic slang words. Ali developed the Arabic script of “Kufic.”3 Known as the “liturgic script par excellence” for early Qur’ans, consisted of a division of 1/6 curved and 5/6 straight lines. 3a-Q-L = 3ayn (See) – Qaf (Maintaining) – Lam (For) = See, to Maintain, For…. For technical as well as spiritual reasons, “the science of the dot” became a central preoccupation of calligraphy. ( Log Out /  This kind of numerological analysis has strong resemblance to the Kabbalistic practices of Jewish mysticism. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. Moreover, the process of tracing the meaning of a word back to its root is, in many respects, comparable to the search for essence, and for spiritual sources of human experience. But those who created the language (or if it was truly divinely inspired as a whole) – were also of a great intellectual understanding to produce such a deeply pure language – from its roots upwards. ‘Hab’ is also a seed or grain, because it is a ‘life medium’ for people to survive off because they eat it to live. I hope these examples will suffice, and you can practice with more if you wish. The practice of calligraphy thereby became integrated with other methods of Sufi practice, and included reflection on sacred and symbolic qualities of Quranic words. Something which ‘assembles and joins together’ in an ‘order’ while being ‘spread out and dispersed’ = a tree. This table is best experienced with comparing already created words, knowing their definitions, and trying to find out why those base letters were used to construct that meaning (i.e. Change ), ‘Ayn = the Eye (or anything which is pleasing to the eye). Both Sufis and Sufi calligraphers regarded the dot not just as the beginning of all letters, but also as a sign of God’s creative power. This process is called romanization and lacks any standardized forms, but can be useful if the … Before I share with you what I think are the 25 most common Arabic slang words, you should know keep in mind that different Arab countries have different dialects. tall and uses handmade Japanese ink on handmade acid-free paper. Meaning: You ‘See’ (an event) and you ‘Maintain’ its lesson in your mind ‘For’ your future, i.e. For Sufis, contemplating the forms and meanings of Arabic letters enabled perception of deeper cosmological and metaphysical truths. Another hard-to-imagine-life-without English word that has been connected to Arabic roots.Soda (pop) takes its name from flavored drinks made with soda water, whose carbonation originally came from sodium bicarbonate.The history of the words and substances are complicated, but the original sense of soda was of an alkaline substance obtained from … , dealt with the idea of the dot as a metaphysical reality and spiritual symbol. The shape of the Aleph is two Yods י, one above and one below, with a diagonal line, the Vav ו, between them, representing the higher world and the lower world, with the Vav separating and connecting the two. So Tayyib = pure and good, that which the body is adjusted to and likes for itself. It is the first letter in the Arabic character set. ), Nun = Unified If you’ve studied how words in a language originated, you have probably come across Etymology. The reason for this is is clear; etymology works on base letters and their base meanings, and requires some knowledge of Sarf (Arabic morphology), aswell as reflection on similar words and sometimes deeper research. It measures 80 cm. What if I can’t find the Etymological Meaning? You have to process 28 letters at a time. The word ‘Hib’ also means a ‘Gift’ – which is a ‘Life medium’ between two people to gain a (lovable) connection between each other. They contemplated not just the divine Quranic words and chapters (. ) Simply think of a word, and break it down into individual letters, and then find the meaning of that letter from the table. (ﺥ ) Khaa = Create/Compound (ﻝ) Laam = For (ﻕ ) Qaf = Maintain/Erect/Uprightness/ Standing. Arabia prior to the introduction of Indian numerals. 3. Remember that Arabic is written from right to left. Meru Foundation research has discovered a geometric metaphor - the meaning of Kabbalah - in the letter-text of the Hebrew Bible, in Genesis (B'reshit), that models embryonic growth and self-organization, applies to all whole systems, and demonstrates that the relationship between consciousness and physics - mind and world - was understood in the ancient world, and is … The Arabic alphabet has 28 letters, all representing consonants, and is written from right to left. For Sufis, language is an intertwined combination of revelation and logic. Such profound contemplation of language—particularly but not exclusively the language of a holy book or saints—intensifies and enriches a spiritual path, providing a point of contact with God as the source of this language, and helping to clear the way for revelatory experience of the transcendent. = someone who has something altogether in his possession (Unified, i.e. Its etymological meaning might be explain why better; = someone who is your Dhahr is your back, your strength. Etymologically, we know the Arabs referred to ‘striking the Earth’ (Darb) when referring to travelling in the Earth. (the Sun is a thing which disperses and spreads its energy.). Paradoxically, language can itself suggest a means of annihilating language in pursuit of that which lies behind it, thus transcending “the word” in order to experience “the word” in all of existence. Alphabet - Alphabet - Arabic alphabet: The Arabic script descended from the Aramaic through the Nabataean and the neo-Sinaitic alphabets. So Tayyib starts with ‘Ta’ and may have some relation to being in accordance with the Axis, the default state of the Human. Al-Muhasibi (d. 857), a leading theologian and psychologist with strong Sufi influences, used dialectical reasoning to debate the Mutazilites, a school of rationalist theologians, and communicated this understanding with a story: “When God created the letters he ordered them to obey. Taken together, the alphabet has provided Sufis with a way of thinking about an underlying “software” of creation through which God continually creates and recreates the universe. Islamic calligraphy is the visual embodiment of the crystallization of the spiritual realities (al-haqa’iq) contained in the Islamic revelation. This calligraphy provides the external dress for the Word of God in the visible world but this art remains wedded to the world of the spirit. Qaf ( ﻕ ) = Maintain. 3i-L-m (3Ayn, Lam, Miim) means ‘Knowledge’ = but broken down it means; Seeing[ayn]-For[laam]-Being[baa]. If we break the word down, it is made of3 letters: Khaa, Laam, and Qaf. Even the constituent elements of language, the letters, have divine power, and the disciplines of writing have spiritual significance. Find more Arabic words at wordhippo.com! Fun with tracing B . Some examples of these “mysterious letters” (, ) are found in chapter 68, “The Pen”—the second revealed chapter to the Prophet Muhammad which starts with the letter, —and chapter 2 in the written Qur’an, which begins with, In Sufi understandings, the sacred character of each letter is symbolized in both its form and in its meaning: “Each letter has a ‘personality’ of its own and symbolizes in its visual form a divine quality since the letters of the sacred alphabet correspond to features and qualities of God as the Divine Scribe.”13, , being the first letter of the Arabic alphabet, is “the letter par excellence” from which all letters are derived. The other boys in his class finished the whole alphabet while he was mastering the same letter. 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