Tala and Qara - Read, Recite, Follow or Something Else
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= Ta-Lam-Waw = To follow, walk behind, imitate, pursue, consecutive. To read, recite, peruse, rehearse, declare, meditate. Sought repeatedly, collect, Bond or obligation.One who relieves or aids another in singing.
tala vb. (I) perf. act. 1016, 912
impf. act. 244, 2102, 2113, 2121, 2129, 2151, 2252, 358, 3108, 3113, 3164, 6151, 1061, 1117, 1330, 1883, 2272, 2792, 283, 2845, 2859, 2948, 3529, 3971, 456, 622, 6511, 982
impv. 393, 527, 7175, 1071, 1827, 2669, 2945
perf. pass. 82
impf. pass. 3101, 4127, 51, 831, 1015, 17107, 1958, 1973, 2230, 2272, 2366, 23105, 2853, 2951, 317, 3334, 3443, 458, 4525, 4531, 467, 6815, 8313
n.vb. 2121= Qaf-Ra-Alif = to recite/read, compilation, collection, reading, recitation, explanation, study, investigation.
qara'a vb. (I) perf. act. 1698, 1745, 26199, 7518
yaqra'u - impf. act. 1094, 1771, 1793, 17106
iqra - impv. 1714, 6919, 7320, 7320, 961, 963
quri'a - perf. pass. 7204, 8421
qur'an - n.m. 2185, 482, 5101, 619, 7204, 9111, 1015, 1037, 1061, 122, 123, 1231, 151, 1587, 1591, 1698, 179, 1741, 1745, 1746, 1760, 1778, 1778, 1782, 1788, 1789, 17106, 1854, 202, 20113, 20114, 2530, 2532, 271, 276, 2776, 2792, 2885, 3058, 3431, 362, 3669, 381, 3927, 3928, 413, 4126, 4144, 427, 433, 4331, 4629, 4724, 501, 5045, 5417, 5422, 5432, 5440, 552, 5677, 5921, 721, 734, 7320, 7517, 7518, 7623, 8421, 8521
From http//www.studyquran.co.uk/PRLhomepage.htmThe two important words tala and qara are used extensively in the Quran and on the face of it, the two words seem to be related. The Quran translators occasionally use these two words (meanings) interchangeably and such casual substitution of words is not normal in the language of the Quran. There seem to be quite a bit of confusion about the meaning of Tala and most linguists will simple say qara is to read or recite and tala is to read and follow. But the usage in the Quran does not give this meaning for tala.
The usage of the word qara in the Quran has the straight forward meaning of read. This reading according to the Quran can be a book, record, earlier scripture or the Quran itself. While much usage points to physical reading from a document or a book, it can be assumed, since the Quran can be read from memory, recite should be one of the meanings as well. Qara (reading or reciting) can be silent, loud or anything in between. Quran which means reading/reciting is derived from the root meaning of qara.
Usage of tala in the Quran gives us the exact meaning ?tell? and can include narrate, mention or to a lesser extent, announce. The Quran uses tala (tell/narrate) in relation to the Quran, signs or verses of God, revelations, Torah and the Gospel, news/ story(naba), Wisdom (Al Hikmah). In almost every usage with the exception of verse 2945 it is implied that tala is to ?tell others? or to tell another person in the sense of ?give out?. Interestingly, the word ?tala? is phonetically, the exact same as ?tell?. Etymological dictionaries identify the Arabic relationship (or origin) to the word ?tell? as ?tala? but did not seem to get the correct meaning. Using this definition of tala we can presume verses 911-2 implies that the moon ?tells? about the brightness of the sun. (obviously, the moon does not ?follow? the sun?s brightness).
With this understanding of qara and tala, other meanings given in dictionaries become irrelevant, as far as the usage in the Quran is concerned, but it?s important to check the application of these definitions in relation to the Quran. Although application of Qara is quite simple to understand, application of tala seems to be bit more complex.
6511
A Messenger, telling/narrating (yatloo) unto you the Signs of Allah containing clear explanations??.The same is repeated few times in the Quran in 2151, 3164, 622, 982.
To understand the word ?tala? in the context of the Quran, let?s take the hypothetical situation of someone asking the Messenger about Salat (or on anything contained in the Quran). The Messenger in order to explain salat could read (or recite from memory) every verse pertaining to Salat from the Quran (benefits, timing, washing, tone, etc, well over 30 verses, I suppose) or alternatively he could tell/narrate about salat, using the same Quranic verses in an organized, prioritized way, as could be easily understood, perhaps in colloquial Arabic (or even in a different dialect, if necessary). Based on the same circumstances, if we can assume the Messenger could speak another language, say Aramaic and the Messenger had to explain salat to a person who understands only Aramaic. Many situations as above would have required the Messenger to tell/ tala the Quran (or to tell/narrate the verses of the Quran). Therefore, it can be understood that the messenger, while he would have read and recited the Quran, would have told/narrated the Quran as well.
Going by the above, when we ?tell? what?s contained in the Quran in any language or when the Quran is translated into another language it becomes ?tala/telling the Quran? or telling the verses of the Quran. Therefore, reading a translation of the Quran will not be ?qara of the Quran? but a ?tala of the Quran?. If we apply the analogy of the Sun?s brightness and the moon here, just as a translation tells about another book (the original) the moon tells about the suns brightness.
Also, I believe, according to the following verses Salat can be performed either by reading/reciting or telling/narrating the Quran. Accordingly, it can be assumed reading a translation would be fine as well.
7320
????????Read/Recite (faiqraoo), then, as much of the Qur?an as you may do with ease???????....... Read/Recite (faiqraoo), then, as much of it ( The Quran) as you may do with ease, and establish salat, and spend in charity, and lend unto God a goodly loan2945
Tell/Narrate (Otlu) what is inspired to thou of the Scripture, and perform Salat; for salat prohibits evil and vice, and the remembrance of God is the greatest. God knows everything you do. -
Salaam,
My understanding is nearly the same as yours. As per my understanding
"Qira-atun" means "Reading "
"Tilaawatun" means "Reciting "For example
1714
1714 Read your book! It is sufficient for you that you are aware of yourself today.From the aayat above the blue part makes it clear that "Iqra or Read" means to oneself not to others.
2792
2792 And that I recite the Quran. He who is guided is guided for himself, and to he who is misguided, say I am but one of the warners.From the aayat above the blue part makes it clear that "Atluwa or Recite" means to other not to ourselves.
May Allah guide us all to His only path pr
Mohammed M. Khan -
Peace Khan
Your understanding is not correct.Quran( reading/reciting) can be silent or loud.
To ourselves and to others.
Please see the following verses.
Wa-itha quri-a alqur-anu faistamiAAoolahu waansitoo laAAallakum turhamoona
When the Qur'an is read, listen to it with attention, and hold your peace that ye may receive Mercy.
Faqaraahu AAalayhim ma kanoobihi mu/mineena
And had he recited it to them, they would not have believed in it.
Wa-itha qara/ta alqur-anajaAAalna baynaka wabayna allatheena layu/minoona bial-akhirati hijabanmastooran
When thou dost recite the Qur'an, We put, between thee and those who believe not in the Hereafter, a veil invisible
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Salaam warner,
Your understanding is not correct.Quran( reading/reciting) can be silent or loud.
To ourselves and to others.
Thank you for the aayaats brother, I agree with you.
Then "tilawa" could mean "recite on others with explanation"? Like a lesson, preaching or so? What do you think?
May Allah increase us in knowledge and guide us all to His path pr
Mohammed M. Khan -
Peace Khan
Tala is tell, not recite. Thilawath seems like an emphasis on the word tala (to mean, ?tell? in a proper manner or tell with explanation) and the way it is used in 2121, may probably suggest preaching as well. But preaching is in the content, when a religious text is told it automatically becomes preaching. Good you raised this since it leads to another aspect of these two words (read/recite and tell)
While it is possible to read/ recite without understanding or grasping what is being read or recited, telling/narrating needs understanding. Therefore it would have been very important for the Messenger to have properly understood what is being revealed to him in order to tell it to people in a proper manner. Messengers? duty was not only to read out the Quran like a parrot to people but also to tell it to people in a proper way (preach), for them to understand.
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Salaam warner,
Peace Khan
Tala is tell, not recite. Thilawath seems like an emphasis on the word tala (to mean, ?tell? in a proper manner or tell with explanation) and the way it is used in 2121, may probably suggest preaching as well. But preaching is in the content, when a religious text is told it automatically becomes preaching. Good you raised this since it leads to another aspect of these two words (read/recite and tell)
While it is possible to read/ recite without understanding or grasping what is being read or recited, telling/narrating needs understanding. Therefore it would have been very important for the Messenger to have properly understood what is being revealed to him in order to tell it to people in a proper manner. Messengers? duty was not only to read out the Quran like a parrot to people but also to tell it to people in a proper way (preach), for them to understand.
"Tilawa" cannot mean "tell" as already there is a word "qul" for "tell". I understand that
"Qiraa" means "just to read" it may to ourselves, or other may hear it, like online or CD or DVD, etc.
"Tilawa" means "to read for others" that includes explanation, this is may also include online, CD, DVD, etc.
"Qul" means "tell or say" as it is said to tell.
May Allah guide us all to His only path pr
Mohammed M. Khan -
Peace warner and MM Khan,
How do you then see quroo' in 2228, which is usually translated as menstrual cycles/periods/courses. How does this relate to the root?
Imraan
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Peace Khan
Firstly, you must understand the difference between read, recite and tell/narrate. I have explained the definitions above. You keep mixing these words.
I have given above, three verses to show qaraa can mean ?read to others? (deliberately)as well , in response to your query and you agreed. Now you come back and say ?others may hear it? and it sounds unintentional or accidental hearing. "Others may hear it" should be part of the definition for the word "hear" not read or tell. Say, you are reading or telling a story to a classroom full of deaf children who will not hear anything you say but that does not amount to you not reading or telling.
Qul means ?say? and not ?tell?. Say and Tell have too different meanings and uses, although we sometimes interchange them.
Please check the definition of these English words without mixing them up. That will give you a better understanding of the corresponding Arabic word.
All these words are used many times in relation to normal reading, reciting and telling by persons including the Messenger . Why confuse the subject matter with Online, CD and DVDs.
Also the root is talawa ( tala). Are you referring to? thilawa? in 2121?
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Salaam warner,
Sorry for the confusions, let me clarify.
What I said in reply # 3 that "I agree", it refers to reply # 1. After looking at the aayaats you quoted in reply # 2, I realized that I was wrong in my understanding which is said in reply # 1.
But it does not mean that agree with your understanding.
At the moment, I am confused, I need to study it, I will get back to it if I find something clear about it by Allah's permission, inshaAllah.
Sorry again for all the confusions.
May Allah increase us in knowledge and guide us all to His only path pr
Mohammed M. Khan -
Salaam 1CELOSTNOWFOUND,
How do you then see quroo' in 2228, which is usually translated as menstrual cycles/periods/courses. How does this relate to the root?
Sorry brother, not idea at this time.
May Allah increase us in knowledge and guide us all to His true path pr
Mohammed M. Khan