The names of some objects in Arabic will change according to their state. In one circumstance, it may be called one thing. If its state changes however, then it adopts a new name!
A few examples…
A كأسٌ (cup) is not called a كأسٌ unless it has drink/water inside it, and if not then it is called a زُجَاجة
A مائدةٌ (table) is not called a مائدةٌ unless it has food on it, otherwise it is called a خِوَان (simply a table)
This is why in Soorah al-Maa’idah, it is not in reference to any table, but a table spread with food!
And you wouldn’t call a small jug – كُوزٌ – unless it had a handle. If not, then it becomes a كُوب
You can’t call a ring خاتَمٌ unless it has a stone in it; otherwise it is called a فَتْخَةٌ
عَوِيلٌ (wailing) can’t be called such unless it is accompanied by a loud voice; otherwise it is simply بُكَاء (crying/weeping)
And ثَرًى (soil) can only be that if it is moist and damp. If not, then you’d call it تُراب (dust)
[Fiqh al-Lughah wa Sirr al-‘Arabiya – Ch. 3]
And I was just wondering where you were 🙂
Yea, my teacher went through all the different types of crying. Simple crying, crying with sound, crying over a dead person. So many words specificying exactly what is going on.
Na’am, apologies… was busy studying!
I think what struck me about this particular topic is that it is the same object being spoken about – same in essence, and it can have many different names but you are supposed to use each word accordingly – i.e. according to the state that it’s in.
Maybe I’ll add more examples inshaa’Allaah.
I took that from the book ‘Fiqh al-Lughah’ by Abu Mansoor Ath-Tha’aalabi – excellent book to have (and very interesting). Downloadable from here: http://saaid.net/book/2/593.zip
aslamu alaikum
oooh masha Allah nice come back…
Wa `alaykumsalaam wa rahmatullaah
Baarak Allaahu feek… its an interesting topic right?
Mashaa`Allaah. Interesting stuff!
😀 Alhamdulillaah
Umm Junayd, your blog is excellent mashaa’Allaah, keep up the good work!