Lost In Beauty-

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Republika Online - Al-Azhar: Cadar Bukan Ajaran Islam

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Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Author:Shaikh Saalih Al-Fawzaan
Source:His book Tanbeehaat alaa Ahkaam takhtassu bil-Mu'minaat (pg. 62-67)
Translator: Isma'eel Alarcon

Fasting the month of Ramadaan is an obligation on every male and female Muslim, and it is one of the pillars and great foundations of Islaam. Allaah says: "O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you in order that you may attain Taqwaa." [Surah Al-Baqarah: 183] The word "kutiba" (prescribed) here means "furida" obligated. So when the young girl reaches the age in which she will be held accountable for her actions, by having one of the signs of puberty become apparent in her, among which is menstruation, then the obligation of fasting begins for her. She could begin menstruating as early as when she is nine years old. However, some young girls are not aware that they are required to begin fasting at that point, so she doesn't fast thinking that she is too young, nor do her parents order her to fast. This is a great negligence, for one of the pillars of Islaam is being abandoned. If this occurs to any woman, she is obligated to make up for the days of fasting that she abandoned since the point when she began menstruating, even if a long time has passed since that time, for it remains in her obligations.

Who is obligated to fast Ramadaan?

When the month of Ramadaan comes, every male and female Muslim that (1) has reached the age of puberty, is (2) healthy and (3) a resident (i.e. not traveling) is obligated to fast. And whoever is sick or traveling during the month, may break the fast and make up the number of days missed on other days. Allaah says: "So whoever sights the (moon indicating the beginning of the) month, then he must fast. And whoever is sick or on a journey, then (he may break the fast and instead fast) the number of days missed on other days." [Surah Al-Baqarah: 185] Likewise, whoever enters into Ramadaan and he is very old and not able to fast or has a chronic illness, which does not expect to be cured any specific time - whether male or female - may break the fast and instead feed a needy person half a saa' (four handfuls) of the food from that people's land for every day missed. Allaah says: "And as for those who can fast (but) with difficulty, they (may break their fast and) feed a needy person." [Surah Al-Baqarah: 184] Ibn 'Abbaas (raa) said: "This ayah is for the old man of whom it is not anticipated that he will be cured." [Saheeh Al-Bukhaaree] And the sick person of whom it is not hoped that he will be cured from his sickness falls under the ruling of the old person. And he does not have to make up the missed days because of his inability to fast.

A woman is specified with certain excuses that permit her to break the fast in Ramadaan, on the condition that she makes up the days she missed fasting due to these excuses on other days. These excuses are:

1. Menstrual and Postpartum Bleeding:
A woman is forbidden from fasting while she is in these two conditions. And she is obligated to make up these missed days of fasting on other days. This is based on what is reported in the two Saheeh collections from 'Aa'isha (raa) who said: "We were ordered to make up the (missed) days of fasting but we were not ordered to make up the (missed) prayers." She gave this answer when a woman asked her: "Why does a menstruating woman have to make up the (missed days of) fasting and not have to make up the (missed) prayers?" So she (raa) clarified that this is from the matters dependent on revelation, which must comply with the reported texts.

As for the wisdom behind that, then Shaikh-ul-Islaam Ibn Taimiyyah said in "Majmoo'-ul-Fataawaa" (15/251): "The blood that comes out of the woman because of menstruation has a discharge of blood in it. A menstruating woman can fast in times other than when the blood that comes out of her due to menstruation contains her blood. So her fasting in this situation is a moderate and balanced fast - no blood, which strengthens the body and which is its main substance - comes out of her during these times. But her fasting when she is menstruating necessitates that her blood come out during this time - the blood, which is the main component of her body and which will lead to a weakness and deficiency in her body. And this will necessitate that her fast not be that of a moderate and balanced nature. So that is why she is commanded to fast in times when she is not menstruating."

2. Pregnancy and Breast-Feeding:
If because of fasting there is harm caused to the woman or the baby or to both of them, then she may break the fast while she is pregnant or breastfeeding. But if the harm for which reason she is breaking her fast only applies to her baby and not her, then she must make up for the days she missed of fasting and feed a needy person for each day missed. And if the harm only applies to herself, then it is sufficient for her to only make up the missed days. This is based on the pregnant woman and breastfeeding woman falling under the generality of Allaah's saying: "And for those who can fast (but) with difficulty, they (may break their fast) and instead feed a needy person." [Surah Al-Baqarah: 184]

Al-Haafidh Ibn Katheer (rahimahullaah) said in his Tafseer (1/379): "Amongst those who fall into the meaning of this ayah are the pregnant and breastfeeding women if they fear for themselves or for their children." And Shaikh-ul-Islaam Ibn Taimiyyah said: "If a pregnant woman fears for her fetus, then she may not fast and instead make up each day of fasting that was missed on other days and feed a needy person around 2 kilograms of bread." [Majmoo'-ul-Fatawaa: 25/318]

Important Notes:

1. Istihaadah (Irregular Bleeding):
This is the condition in which a woman has blood come out of her, which is not her menstrual blood. She must observe the fast and it is not permissible for her to break her fast because of this type of bleeding. When mentioning the allowance of the menstruating woman of breaking her fast, Shaikh-ul-Islaam Ibn Taimiyyah (rahimahullaah) said: "This is contrary to the woman in the state of Istihaadah, for this state comprises an unfixed period of time, and there is not a time in it in which she can be commanded to begin fasting (again). So because of this, it is not possible to caution against it, the same as for throwing up unexpectedly, emitting blood due to a wound, getting a boil, Ihtilaam (when sexual fluid comes out of the private parts not due to intercourse or foreplay), as well as all the other things that do not have a fixed time in which they could be cautioned against. So this (Istihaadah) was not made as something that nullifies the fast, such as the blood of menstruation." [Majmoo'-ul-Fataawaa: 25/251]

2. The Menstruating woman as well as the pregnant and breastfeeding women, if they break their fast in Ramadaan, must make up for the missed days of fasting in the time that occurs between the Ramadaan in which they broke their fast and the forthcoming Ramadaan. But to complete them early is better. And if there only remain a few days before the next Ramadaan begins, then they are obligated to make up the missed days of fasting (from the previous Ramadaan) such that the new Ramadaan will not come upon them while they still have to fast days from the previous Ramadaan. But if they don't do this and Ramadaan comes upon them while they still owe days of fasting from the previous Ramadaan, and they have no (valid) excuse for delaying it, they are obligated to make up the missed days and to feed a needy person for each day. But if they have a valid excuse, then they must only make up the missed days of fasting. This goes the same for those who must make up the missed days of fasting due to sickness or traveling. Their ruling is like the ruling of the woman who broke the fast due to menses, with the previously mentioned details.

3. It is not permissible for a woman to observe a recommended fast if her husband is present unless she has his permission. This is based on what Al-Bukhaaree, Muslim and others have reported from Abu Hurairah (raa) that the Prophet (saws) said: "It is not permissible for a woman to fast while her husband is present except with his permission." In some narrations of the hadeeth in Ahmad and Abu Dawood, there occurs the wording "...except Ramadaan." But if the husband permits her to observe a recommended fast or he is not present around her or if she doesn't have a husband, then it is encouraged for her to observe this recommended day of fasting. This is especially for the days in which it is recommended to fast such as Mondays and Thursdays, three days in every month, six days in Shawaal, the tenth day of Dhul-Hijjah, the Day of 'Arafah and the Day of 'Aashooraa along with the day before or after it. However, she should not observe a recommended fast while she owes days to make up for (the previous) Ramadaan, until she first makes up these missed days and Allaah knows best.

4. If a menstruating woman stops bleeding during the day in Ramadaan, she must begin her fasting for the remainder of the day but still make it up with the days that she didn't fast because of menses. Her fasting for the remainder of the day in which she stops bleeding is an obligation on her out of respect for the time (i.e. Ramadaan).

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Vocabulary of Islaamic Terms and Sayings

Here are some words to help you when you are browsing Islaamic sites. All of the words may have different ways of translitteration eventhough only one way is mentioned in this list. Many words have several meanings and all the meanings are not necessarily mentioned in this list.

If you would like to learn how to read Arabic - please refer to the following:
Arabic Language Resources

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |

A
Abd Servant. Example: Abd-Allaah (servant of Allaah)
Aakhirah The Here-After.
Aashura The tenth day of Muharram. It is a sunnah to fast on the ninth and tenth days of Muharram.
Aalim A knowledgeable person or (religious) scholar
Adhaan Call to prayer.
Adhkar Plural of dhikr
Ahl-ul-Kitaab "People of the Book" - meaning Jews and Christians
Alhamdulillaah All praise belongs to Allaah.
Allaah God in Arabic. This word is singular, it has no plural.
Allaahu akbar Allaah is the Most Great.
Ansaar Supporters. The Muslims of Madeenah who helped and supported the Muslim migrants from Makkah.
'Aqeedah Belief, doctrine
As-Salaamu 'alayfrkum Peace be upon you. Islamic greeting.
'Asr Afternoon (prayer)
Astaghfirullaah I seek forgiveness of Allaah.
A'uudhu bi-Llaahi min ash-Shaytaani ar-Rajiim I seek refuge from Allah from the outcast Satan.
Ayah
sign, proof, evidence, lesson (singular form). Used to refer to the verses of Quraan.
Awrah Parts of the body that should be covered.

B
Baatil Falsehood
Barakah Blessings
Barzakh The barrier between the life on earth and the life after
Bid'ah Innovation
Birr Righteousness, kindness, good treatment.
Bismillaah In the name of God
Bismillaahi ar-Rahmaani ar-Rahiim In the name of God, the Most Gracious, The Most Merciful

C

D
Dajjaal (literally "liar") Antichrist
Daleel Evidence
Da'wah Call. Inviting people to Islaam.
Dhikr Remembrance of Allaah. (by reciting Qur'aan, making du'aa..)
Deen Religion
Du'aa Supplication
Duha Forenoon (optional prayer performed at midmorning)
Dunya This world

E

Eid Festival. Muslims have two occasions of Eid: Eid al-Fitr after Ramadaan and Eid al-Adhaa 10th of Dhul-Hijjah.

F
Faqiih a person who is an expert on Islamic jurisprudence, fiqh.
Fajr Dawn.
Fard Obligatory
Fatwa Ruling given by a scholar.
Fiqh Islamic jurisprudence
Fitnah Temptation, civil strife, riots
Fitrah The natural state of man, which is Islaam.

G

Ghusl Greater ablution.

H

Haafidh Person who has memorized the Quraan by heart.
Hadeeth Report of a saying or action of Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam. Examples of hadeeth collections:
Saheeh al-Bukhaari, Saheeh Muslimsahih muslim
Hadeeth Qudsi (literally scared hadeeth) A hadeeth containing words of Allaah that were narrated by the Prophet, sallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, but which do not form part of the Qur'aan
Hajj Pilgrimage to Makkah.
Halaal Any action that is permitted, lawful.
Haraam Anything forbidden, unlawful.
Hijaab Often used to mean the headscarf of a Muslim Woman yet it refers to all of the covering clothing.
Hijrah Emigration.
Hira The cave in which Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam received the first revelation.

I

Ibaadah All acts of worship.
Iblees Satan.
Iddah "Waiting period", usually three menstrual cycles, which a divorced woman must observe before she is free to remarry. Purpose is to find out possible pregnancy.
Iftaar Breaking the fast
Ihraam State or condition entered when going to Hajj. Refers also to the clothing worn during Hajj.
Ijmaa Consensus of scholars.
Imaam Leader of prayer.
Imaan Faith.
Iqaamah Call to prayer; similar to the adhaan but iqaamah is given immediately before the prayer.
Ishaa Evening (prayer).
Isnaad Chain of transmitters (of a hadeeth)
Itikaaf Seclusion or spiritual retreat. It was the custom of the Prophet, sallaahu alayhi wa sallam, to spend the last ten days of Ramadaan in seclusion, concentrating on prayer and worship.
Izaar A sheet worn below the waist to cover the lower-half of the body.

J
J
Jaahiliyyah Time of ignorance (in the pre-Islamic era in Arabia)
Jahannam Hell
Jama'aah Group or congregation.
Janaazah Funeral
Jannah Paradise
Jazaak Allaahu khayran May Allaah reward you with good (used instead of thank you)
Jibreel Angel Gabriel
Jihaad Struggling
Jinn What is a jinn?
Jumu'ah Friday (prayer)

K

Kaabah A cube-shaped structure in the center of masjid al-haraam in Makkah.
Kaafir Disbeliever
Khimar A piece of cloth with which a woman covers her head and neck area.
Khuff leather socks
Khushoo' Humility before Allaah.
Khutbah Speech / sermon.
Kufr Disbelief, rejection of the truth.
Kunyah Calling someone "father of so-and-so" or "mother of so-and-so"

L

Laylat al-Qadr The "Night of Power", one of the odd-numbered nights of the last ten days of Ramadaan. It is not known precisely which night it is. The Quraan describes it as "better than a thousand months"

M
MaashaAllaah "What Allaah wills"
Maghrib Sunset (prayer)
Mahr Bridal money given by the husband to the wife at the time of marriage
Mahram A person with whom a woman cannot marry and she does not need to wear hijaab in front of him.
Makkah City where Kaabah is located. Muslims pray five times a day towards Kaabah.
Makrooh Disliked.
Masjid Mosque
Miswaak A tooth brush made of Arak-tree roots.
Mu'adhin Caller to prayer. The first caller to prayer was Bilaal.
Muhaajir One of the early Muslims who migrated to Madeenah in the lifetime of the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam.
Mu'min Believer
Munaafiq Hypocrite, one who pretends to believe in Islaam, but does not.
Mushrik Polytheist, one who associates others in worship with Allaah.
Muslim One who has submitted himself/herself to God.
Mustahabb Recommended.

N

Nabi Prophet
Neeyah Intention
Niqaab Veil that covers the face of a woman.

O
P

Q

Qadi A muslim judge.
Qawwaam Protector, maintainer.
Qadr Divine pre-decree
Qiblah Prayer direction.
Qur'aan The divine book revealed to Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam

R
Ramadaan The month of fasting, ninth month of Islaamic Calendar.
Rasuulullaah Messenger of Allaah
Riba Interest (forbidden in Islaam)

S

Sabr Patience
Sadaqah Voluntary charity.
Sahaabah Companions of the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam.
Saheeh With reference to hadiths: sound, authentic.
Salaah Prayer (see Prophet's Prayer Described prophet's prayer)
Salaf Predecessors (as-Salafus as-Saalih - the Righteous Predecessors)
Sawm Fasting
Seerah Biography; specifically that of the Prophet, sallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam.
Shahaadah Testimony of faith
Sharee'ah Islaamic Law
Shaytaan Satan, Devil.
Shirk Associating partners to Allaah (worst sin in Islaam)
Siwaak A small stick which comes from a specific tree and is used as a toothbrush.
SubhaanaAllaah "Glorified is Allaah"
Sunnah Model of practices, customs and traditions found in the ahadeeth.
Suurah Chapter in the Qur'aan

T
Tabarruj Wanton display, flaunting oneself in contradiction to the Islaamic rulings on dress and modest behaviour.
Tafsiir Explanation (of the Qur'aan). See Tafseer ibn Katheer
tafsir ibn kathir
Tahajjud Voluntary prayer that is performed at night between the times of Ishaa and Fajr.
Tajweed Correct recitation of Quraan, following precise rules of pronunciation and articulation.
Takbir Saying "Allaahu akbar".
Tawheed Monotheism - Oneness of Allaah.

U

Ulamaa Scholars (plural)
Ummah Community.
Umrah Lesser pilgrimage, can be performed any time of the year - greatest reward during Ramadaan.

V

W
Waajib Obligatory, compulsory.
Wali Legal guardian. Protector.
Wudhu Ablution (before prayer).

X

Y
Yawm 'Arafaah The 9th day of the Islaamic month of Dhul-Hijjah. In the most essential part of hajj, the pilgrims spend this day standing and praying at Arafaah, a mountain and plain outside Makkah. Muslims who are not on Hajj may observe this sacred day by fasting (optional but encouraged).

Z
Zakat Obligatory alms/charity.
Zam-Zam The sacred well inside the Haram (grand mosque) at Makkah.

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Different types of Hijab / Vocabulary

Please note that the use of these terms varies from area to area and sometimes even among sisters in the same area! The aim is to give a basic idea about the names insha'Allaah. Images are from Islamic Boutique .

One-Piece Dresses

head style abayaThe Saudi Abayah is probably the most famous example of a one piece hijaab / outer garment. It covers a woman from head to toe. The most common colour for this dress is black. It can also be called " head-style " abaya as it comes down from your head.

Many sisters prefer this type of dress as it is very simple and easy to use. And it gives you full coverage.

There is also a one-piece dress similar to the saudi abayah - it comes down from the head but from the front it looks as if it has two pieces.

Two-Piece Dresses

This guide calls an outfit with an overcoat and a headcovering a two-piece dress.

Overcoats

jilbabJilbab - this is and overcoat with buttons or zipper in the front (half-way or all the way down). This is the most common type outer-garment among Muslim Women all over the world.
[please note that in the Shopping Section of Muslimah Connection there are housedresses that are called jilbabs - do not mix them with this outer-garment!]

Djellaba - these are common in Morocco. Unlike Jilbab, it does not have buttons or zipper, it is pulled over your head. It has a hood. There are models both for men and women.

Abaya - abayas exist both as head-style abayas (as above) and shoulder-style abayas. Shoulder-style abayas come down from your shoulders. It can have velcro closure on the shoulder. It can be also without any closures - closed from the front and it is pulled over the head like djellaba.

There are other styles too that are common in specific countries but the above mentioned overcoats are common among Muslim Women all-over the world.

Headscarves
hijaab square scarf

Hijab, hijaab, hejab - this word is commonly used of the headscarf of a Muslim Woman. But actually it refers to the whole dress. Usually it is used to refer to the square scarf.

hood khimar

Khimar - Sometimes used to refer to any headscarf but in many online stores especially this word refers to a long, cape-shaped "scarf" / headcover. Usually these cape scarves come with a small under scarf. Lenght varies from waist till ankles.

Al-Amira - Two-piece head covering (sometimes the part covering forehead is attached to the "hood" part, this is better as underscarf or for children), shorter than a khimar. This one is very good for children. Sometimes it has a lace/embroidery at the edge. Al-Amira without a lace is sometimes called buknuk.

shaylaShayla - a long rectangular shape scarf.

Face-covers

niqaab

Niqaab - this word is used when refering to almost any type of face-veil. Some use this word when talking about the half-face veil. The half-face niqaab is worn under the scarf if it has an elastic band. It can also have ties, snaps or velcro closure.

Boushiya - covers all the face. Some models have layers that can be lifted.

Burqa - sometimes means same thing as the above. Burqa can also refer specifically to the Afghan Burqa that covers everything (head, face, hands..).

You can also wrap your square or shayla scarf so that it covers your face.
Home | Abou

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PLURAL NOUNS AND ADJECTIVES

If you've been paying attention, you will have noticed that we've already discussed plural verbs, but not plural nouns, until now. That's because in Arabic they can be a bit tricky sometimes.

In English you usually add an -S or an -ES to the end of the word to make it plural. For example: student/students, rabbit/rabbits, dictionary/dictionaries.

In Arabic, however, there are different endings for masculine and feminine plural nouns and adjectives. And Arabic makes an important distinction between nouns for people and nouns which are for things. "Human" and "Non-human."

We'll start with feminine nouns, because they are generally the easiest. Most feminine nouns that end with the sound -AH (the taa marbuuah) make their plurals by simply adding the ending -AAT. This includes any nouns for women, and also many feminine nouns for things.

Feminine Human Nouns
aalibah/aalibaat = student/s (f.)
ustaathah/ustaathaat = professor/s (f.)
tilmiithah/tilmiithaat = pupil/s (f.)
abiibah/abiibaat = doctor/s (f.)
jaddah/jaddaat = grandmother/s
ukht/akhawaat = sister/s
bint/banaat = girl/s

Feminine Non-Human Nouns
jaamicah/jaamicaat = university/ies
wilaayah/wilaayaat = state/s
sayyaarah/sayyaaraat = car/s
aawilah/aawilaat = table/s
kalimah/kalimaat = word/s
lughah/lughaat = language/s
sanah/sanawaat = year/s
maktabah/maktabaat = library/ies or bookstore/s

But there are some exceptions: Some feminine nouns don't form the plural with a regular -AAT ending, and the plurals must be memorized, such as these words you know:

jariidah/jaraa'id = newspaper/s
madrasah/madaaris = school/s
madiinah/mudun = city/ies
ghurfah/ghuraf = room/s
shaqqah/shiqaq = apartment/s

The masculine human plural ending is -UUN or -IIN. When you're writing, you need to know which form to use. (It has to do with the grammar, that is, how the word is used in the sentence.) But when speaking, most Arabs are only going to use the -IIN ending. In Egypt, for example, they don't ever use the -UUN ending in regular, daily speech.

Nouns starting with MU- usually take these regular human plural endings, for example:

Mudarrisah/Mudarrisaat = teacher/s (f)
Mudarris/Mudarrisuun or Mudarrisiin = teacher/s (m)

Muhandisah/Muhandisaat = engineer/s (f)
Muhandis/Muhandisuun or Muhandisiin = engineer/s (m)

Mudiirah/Mudiiraat = director/s (f)
Mudiir/Mudiiruun or Mudiiriin = director/s (m)

Muslimah/Muslimaat = Muslim/s (f)
Muslim/Muslimuun or Muslimiin = Muslim/s (m)

Also, those adjectives that end with -ii, formed from the names of countries, take these regular plural endings when they are used to describe people:

Sacuudii/Sacuudiyyuun or -iin = Saudi/s (m)
Sacuudiyyah/Sacuudiyyaat = Saudi/s (f)

cIraqii/cIraqiyyuun or -iin = Iraqi/s (m)
cIraqiyyah/cIraqiyyaat = Iraqi/s (f)

Lubnaanii/Lubnaaniyyuun or -iin = Lebanese (m)
Lubnaaniyyah/Lubnaaniyyaat = Lebanese (f)

Mirii/Miriyyuun or -iin = Egyptian/s (m)
Miriyyah/Miriyyaat = Egyptian/s (f)

Suudaanii/Suudaaniyyuun or -iin = Sudanese (m)
Suudaaniyyah/Suudaaniyyaat = Sudanese (f)

Amriikii/Amriikiyyuun or -iin = American/s (m)
Amriikiyyah/Amriikiyyaat = American/s (f)

If there's a group of people including both men and women, then you just use the masculine plural form to refer to all of them.

In English there are all those weird plurals that you just have to learn. And they can be very confusing for people who are learning English for the first time. If English is not your native language, or you have friends from different countries who are learning English, then you know what I mean. The plural of "Mouse" is "Mice" not "Mouses," but the plural of "House" is not "Hice" but "Houses." The plural of "Goose" is "Geese," but the plural of "Moose" is not "Meese," it's "Moose"--the same as the singular. Why? Because English is a wonderful language. And Arabic is also a wonderful language....

Many nouns in Arab have plurals that don't fit the -AAT/-UUN patterns. When you're learning your vocabulary words, you have to memorize the plural form of the nouns and adjectives along with the singular. Here are some words you already know, along with their plurals. You can probably tell that there are some patterns for the plurals, changes that happen with the syllables and vowels--see if you can pick them out. But you still have to memorize which one goes with which noun.

Masculine Human Nouns
aalib/ullaab = student/s (m)
tilmiith/talaamithah = pupil/s (m)
ustaath/asaatithah = professor/s (m)
walad/awlaad = boy/s
jadd/ajdaad = grandfather/s
ibn/abnaa' = son/s
akh/ikhwah = brother/s

Masculine Non-Human Nouns
bayt/buyuut = house/s
dars/duruus = lesson/s
fal/fuuul = season/s
shahr/shuhuur = month/s
baab/abwaab = door/s
ism/asmaa' = name/s
qalam/aqlaam = pen/s
yawm/ayyaam = day/s
asad/usud = lion/s
kitaab/kutub = book/s
shaaric/shawaaric = street/s
macam/maaacim = restaurant/s
arnab/araanib = rabbit/s
daftar/dafaatir = notebook/s
kursii/karaasii = chair/s
maktab/makaatib = office/s or desk/s
miftaa/mafaatii = key/s
qaamuus/qawaamiis = dictionary/ies
usbuuc/asaabiic = week/s

Here are a few practice sentences using plural subjects with the plural verb forms you already know:

Al-Muhandisuun yacmaluun fii Philadelphia.
The engineers work in Philly.

A-ullaab yadrusuun fii Jaamicat Pennsylvania.
The students study at the University of Pennsylvania

Al-Asaatitha yudarrisuun al-lughah al-cArabiyyah.
The professors teach the Arabic language.

Plural Nouns and Adjectives
Remember how adjectives work with nouns. They follow the noun, and they also have to be the same gender as the noun they describe. Also if the noun is definite, then the adjective must be definite too. Now you will learn that adjectives have to agree with the nouns they describe in a third way: in number.

As mentioned above, Arabic makes an important distinction between nouns for people and nouns which are for things. "Human" and "Non-human." Human plurals take plural adjectives. For the feminine ones, again, you just add the suffix "-AAT." For the masculine ones you usually just add "-UUN" or "-IIN," but some irregular ones just have to be memorized. Now here's the tricky part: non-human plurals, in Arabic, are considered to be feminine singular, so you use the feminine singular adjective with them. Let's practice. Look at these examples changing the singular nouns and adjectives to plural ones:

mudiir muhimm = an important m. director
mudiiruun muhimmuun = important directors
mudiirah muhimmah = an important f. director
mudiiraat muhimmaat = important f. directors

jariidah muhimmah = an important newspaper
jaraa'id muhimmah = important newspapers

aalib jadiid = a new m. student
aalibah jadiidah = a new f. student
ullaab judud = new students
aalibaat jadiidaat = new f. students
a-aalib al-jadiid = the new student
a-ullaab al-judud = the new students

mudarris Mirii = a m. Egyptian teacher
mudarrisuun Miriyyuun = Egyptian teachers
al-mudarris al-Mirii = the Egyptian teacher
al-mudarrisuun al-Miriyyuun = the Egyptian teachers

bint jamiilah = a beautiful girl
banaat jamiilaat = beautiful girls
al-bint al-jamiilah = the beautiful girl
al-banaat al-jamiilaat = the beautiful girls

kitaab sahl = an easy book
kutub sahlah = easy books
al-kitaab as-sahl = the easy book
al-kutub as-sahlah = the easy books

baab aghiir = a small door
abwaab aghiirah = small doors
al-baab a-aghiir = the small door
al-abwaab a-aghiirah = the small doors

sayyaarah jadiidah = a new car
sayyaaraat jadiidah = new cars
as-sayyaarah al-jadiidah = the new car
as-sayyaaraat al-jadiidah = the new cars

madiinah kabiirah = a big city
mudun kabiirah = big cities
al-madiinah al-kabiirah = the big city
al-mudun al-kabiirah = the big cities

Qaabaltu ullaab kathiiriin. = I met many students.
Qaabaltu aalibaat kathiiraat. = I met many f. students.
Qara'tu kutub kathiirah. = I read many books.

The demonstrative pronouns "haathaa" and "haathihi" (this m/f) must also agree in gender, so if you are talking about non-human plurals, you will use the feminine form haathihi, as in these examples:

Maa fahimna haathaa ad-dars. = We did not understand this lesson.
Maa fahimna haathihi ad-duruus. = We did not understand these lessons.

Qara'tu haathaa al-kitaab al-jadiid. = I read this new book.
Qara'tu haathihi al-kutub al-jadiidah. = I read these new books.

Hal qara'ta haathihi al-jariidah? = Did you read this newspaper?
Hal qara'ta haathihi al-jaraa'id? = Did you read these newspapers?

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SEASONS and WEATHER

Fal = Season (plural: fuuul)
ar-Rabiic = Spring
a-Sayf = Summer
al-Khariif = Fall
ash-Shitaa' = Winter

a-Taqs = the weather (also al-jaww; Egyptians say ig-gaww)
Maar = rain
Mumir = rainy
ash-Shams - The Sun
Mushmis = sunny
Baarid = cold
aarr = hot

[note that "aarr" and "baarid" are used with things, and "arraan" and "bardaan" are used with people]

Examples:

Nanu al-aan fii fal ar-rabiic.
We are now in the season of spring.

Kaana haathaa ash-shitaa' baarid jiddan.
This winter was very cold.

Fii ar-rabiic a-aqs jamiil jiddan fii Philadelphia.
In spring the weather is very beautiful in Philadelphia.

A-aqs al-yawm aarr wa mushmis.
The weather today is hot and sunny.

Ams kaana a-aqs mushmis aydan.
Yesterday the weather was sunny too.

Yawm al-Jumcah kaana a-aqs mumir.
Friday the weather was rainy.

Fii ash-shitaa' a-aqs baarid wa mumir fii Philadelphia.
In winter the weather is cold and rainy in Philadelphia.

Wa fii a-ayf a-aqs aarr wa mushmis.
And in the summer the weather is hot and sunny.

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FEELINGS

Kayf al-aal? = How are you?
(or Kayf aalak? to a man, Kayf aalik? to a woman)

Anaa bi-khayr, al-amdu li-Llah. = I am fine, praise God.

Wa anta/anti? = and you? (m/f)

Kayfa tashcur al-yawm? = How do you (m.) feel today?

You can answer this question with the sentence, "I feel....."
Ashcur bi.... = I feel...(with noun)

But just like in English, it's easier in Arabic to answer with something like "I am hungry" than it is to say "I feel hunger." Many adjectives describing
a physical state of being end with -aan. To make them feminine, as with other adjectives, you add -ah at the end.

Shucuur - feeling
Tacbaan - tired
Jawcaan - hungry
cAshaan - thirsty
Ghadbaan - angry
arraan - hot
Bardaan - cold

Saciid - happy
aziin - sad
Mariid - sick
Aasif - sorry
Mashghuul - busy

Examples:

Hiya tacbaanah jiddan.
She is very tired.

Kuntu jawcaan fa thahabtu ilaa macam.
I was hungry so I went to a restaurant.

Huwa mashghuul al-yawm.
He is busy today.

Yaa cAa'ishah, limaathaa anti aziinah?
Aisha, why are you sad?

Kaanat mariidah ams.
She was sick yesterday.

Waalidatii ghadbaanah minnii.
My mother is angry at me.

Wa anaa aasif jiddan.
And I am very sorry.

Anaa arraan wa cashaan.
I am hot and thirsty.

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