The Hebrew Equivalent Of Solaa
-
Peace brother Idris,
(I say solaa instead of salat btw) does anybody know what the Hebrew equivalent for solaa is? or if any hebrew words share a common root with it? if so are these in the Hebrew Bible and in what verses?
I am not versed in Hebrew, so I am not sure what the word "solaa" means in Hebrew, nor do I believe it matters to know.
Hebrew, Aramaic, and Nabataean (a close cousin of Aramaic) come from a branch of languages called Western Semitic. On the other hand, Arabic comes from a branch of languages called Southern Semitic. Arabic descended from a language called Safaitic, which in turn descended from Thamudic.
In different languages similar sounding words take on different meanings. The word "mat" in English may mean a rug while in Arabic it means "died". Even in the same language words take on different meanings in different dialects. For example, the Arabic word "laban" means "milk" in Egypt while it means "yogurt" in Jordan.
We are told in no uncertain terms that the great reading/"quran" is in Arabic.
-
We have sent it down as an Arabic reading, so that perhaps you will be logical.
-
We have made it as an Arabic reading, so that perhaps you will be logical.
How is it that the great reading being in Arabic contributes to logical as opposed to unreasonable understanding?
What is special about a text being in Arabic or non-Arabic? Or more precisely, at the time that the great reading was descended, what was special about a text being in Arabic or non-Arabic?
A possible answer may be found in the sign in 16103.
- And indeed We know that they say "It is but a human that is teaching him." The language of the one they falsely attribute to is non-Arabic, while this is a clarifying Arabic language.
The sign in verse 16103 refutes the statement "It is but a human that is teaching him" by saying that the language of religious teachings is non-Arabic, while the great reading is in Arabic. The sign in 16103 indicates that at the time the great reading was revealed there was another non-Arabic language that was used for "religious" teachings and that Arabic was not used for "religious" matters.
At the time of the prophet, if a Jew wanted to learn religious matters, they would be taught in Hebrew. If a Christian wanted to learn religious matters, they would be taught in Aramaic, Greek, or Hebrew. If a pagan wanted to learn about his Nabataean idols, he would be taught in Nabataean Aramaic.
Arabic was not a language of religion but was a secular language of the common people. This is confirmed by archeological evidence.
In conclusion, a "pre-quranic" Arab wouldn't have understood the Arabic word "sala" in a religious way.
Peace and all best wishes,
Ayman.
-
-
peace all,
(I say solaa instead of salat btw) does anybody know what the Hebrew equivalent for solaa is? or if any hebrew words share a common root with it? if so are these in the Hebrew Bible and in what verses?
thanx
There is none of the same root (i.e. tsade - lamad - vav).
However, the word "prayer" is the same in Aramaic - c'lo(tha).
I have been trying to locate the word in the Targums without any success so far, but I will keep looking.Shalom!
/St?phane