Verbs with Fixed Prepositions in Arabic
Verbs with fixed prepositions are a category of verbs that are commonly paired with specific prepositions, forming an integral part of their object. These prepositions, when combined with these verbs, often imbue the verb with nuanced and distinct meanings.
1. Exploring Verbs with Fixed Prepositions - قَضَ
The verb قَضَ in Arabic carries multifaceted meanings, encompassing “to judge,” “to fulfill,” and “to decree.” However, its semantic scope undergoes a significant shift when it is paired with the preposition عَلَى. In this context, قَضَ عَلَى transforms to signify “to bring to an end” or even “to kill,” reflecting the dynamic nature of Arabic verbs when coupled with fixed prepositions.
Examples:
وَإِذَا قَضَىٰ أَمْرًا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُ كُن فَيَكُونُ
When He decrees a matter, He only says to it, “Be,” and it is (2:117)
فَوَكَزَهُ مُوسَىٰ فَقَضَىٰ عَلَيْهِ
so Moses struck him and [unintentionally] killed him (28:15)
2. Exploring Verbs with Fixed Prepositions - شَهِدَ
The verb شَهِدَ in Arabic carries the meanings of “to bear witness” and “to be present.” However, its significance takes a distinct turn when coupled with the preposition عَلَى. In this context, شَهِدَ عَلَى transforms to signify “to bear witness against” or “to give testimony against.” This exemplifies the nuanced versatility of Arabic verbs when intertwined with specific prepositions.
For illustration:
فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ
So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; (2:185)
قَالُوا شَهِدْنَا عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِنَا
They will say, “We bear witness against ourselves”; (6:130)
3. Exploring Verbs with Fixed Prepositions - تَابَ
The verb تَابَ in Arabic carries the profound concept of “repentance,” a turning back to one’s path of righteousness. Whether used independently or in conjunction with إلى, it signifies the act of repenting. However, when تَابَ is accompanied by the preposition عَلَى, its meaning takes on an even deeper dimension. In this context, تَابَ عَلَى represents not only the act of repentance but also the acceptance of that repentance, a divine act of forgiveness. This transformation exemplifies the intricacies and rich connotations of Arabic verbs, especially when combined with specific prepositions.
For further clarity and illustration:
فَمَن تَابَ مِن بَعْدِ ظُلْمِهِ وَأَصْلَحَ فَإِنَّ اللَّـهَ يَتُوبُ عَلَيْهِ
But whoever repents after his wrongdoing and reforms, indeed, Allah will turn to him in forgiveness. (5:39)
4. Exploring Verbs with Fixed Prepositions - جَاءَ
The verb جَاءَ in Arabic holds the fundamental meaning of “to come” when it appears independently, without any preposition. However, its semantics undergo a notable transformation when coupled with the preposition بِ. In this context, جَاءَ بِ conveys the meanings of “to get” or “to bring.” This shift in meaning illustrates the nuanced versatility of Arabic verbs, particularly when paired with specific prepositions.
For a more comprehensive understanding and concrete examples:
فَلَمَّا جَاءَهُ وَقَصَّ عَلَيْهِ الْقَصَصَ
So when he came to him and related to him the story (28:25)
قُلْ مَنْ أَنزَلَ الْكِتَابَ الَّذِي جَاءَ بِهِ مُوسَىٰ
Say, “Who revealed the Scripture that Moses brought (6:91)
5. Verbs Paired with Fixed Prepositions: A Comprehensive Table
The Following Table Lists Verbs Paired with Fixed Prepositions:
| Verb with meaning | Preposition | Meaning with preposition |
| قَالَ He said, to speak, to inspire, to indicate | لِ | He said, to speak, to inspire, to indicate |
| وَهَبَ To give as a gift, to grant, to bestow on, dedicate | لِ | To give as a gift, to grant, to bestow on, dedicate |
| غَفَرَ To cover, veil | لِ | To forgive, pardon |
| شَكَرَ To realize or acknowledge one’s favor, to thank, be grateful | لِ | To realize or acknowledge one’s favor, to thank, be grateful |
| سَجَدَ To prostrate, to be submissive | لِ | To prostrate, to be submissive |
| اَذِنَ To bear, perceive, respond, listen, allow, give permission | لِ | To bear, perceive, respond, listen, allow, give permission |
| شَهِدَ Be witness, be present | لِ | Be witness, be present |
| عَلى | To bear witness, give testimony against | |
| عَفَا To pass over, to forget | عَنْ – لِ | To forgive, to pardon |
| عَنْ | To abound | |
| كَشَفَ To remove | عَنْ | To pull away, to remove, take off, to open up, lay open, to bare |
| نَهَى To forbid | عَنْ | To prevent, forbid, prohibit, restrain |
| ضَلَّ To go astray | عَنْ | To stray, disappear, go away, failed |
| تَلَا To follow | عَلَى | To recite |
| مَرَّ To pass, move, pass on | عَلَى | To pass on, by |
| بِ | To pass with, carry | |
| دَلَّ Indicated, showed, pointed at, guided, discovered | عَلَى | To indicate, point, show, guide, discover |
| قَضَى To fulfill, to judge, decide | عَلَى | To bring to an end, i.e. to kill |
| قَصَّ To communicate, narrate (a story), to follow one’s track | عَلَى | To communicate, narrate (a story), to follow one’s track |
| دَخَلَ To enter | عَلَى | To enter |
| عَرَضَ To happen, to take place | عَلَى | To show, to set before, propound a matter |
| لِ | To offer, to present | |
| تَابَ To seek forgiveness, to repent | إِلَى | To seek forgiveness, to repent |
| عَلَى | To accept repentance, to forgive | |
| وَصَلَ To reach a place, to arrive at, to seek friendship, to reconcile | إِلى | To agree, to make up, to reconcile, to arrive at, to reach a place |
| طَلَعَ To appear, rise, to ascend | عَلَى – عَنْ | To depart from |
| رَضِىَ To be pleased, satisfied, content, chosen, prefer | بِ – عَنْ | To be pleased |
| جَاءَ He came | بِ | He brought, he got |
| أَتَى He came, arrived | بِ | He brought, he got, he gave |
| هَمَّ To interest, regard, concern, worry, care | بِ | To have in mind, intend, desire |
| خَرَجَ To come out | بِ | To come out, produce |
| أَمَرَ To command | بِ | To command |
| عَاذَ To seek protection take refuge | بِ | To seek protection take refuge |
| كَفَرَ To be ungrateful, negligent, thankless | بِ | To hide, to refuse, to deny, reject, to disbelieve, denied ungratefully |
| ذَهَبَ He went, is gone | بِ | Took away |
| عَنْ | is gone away, departed | |
| رَغِبَ To long | فِي | to desire, long for |
| عَنْ | to have no desire, to be averse | |
| إِلى | to supplicate | |
| عَنْ – بِ | to prefer (one thing over another) | |
| بَاءَ Settled, incurred, earned | إِلى | To come back to, return |
| بِ | To bring, lead back, to bear | |
| بَغَى To seek, wish for, desire, oppress | عَلَى | To be unjust, to oppress |
| ضَرَبَ To strike, to beat | with مَتَلَا: to coin a similitude, give a parable, set an example |
6. Illustrative Examples from the Noble Quran
إِذْ قَالَ لَهُ رَبُّهُ أَسْلِمْ ۖ قَالَ أَسْلَمْتُ لِرَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
When his Lord said to him, “Submit”, he said “I have submitted [in Islam] to the Lord of the worlds.” (2:131)
فَلَمَّا كَشَفْنَا عَنْهُ ضُرَّهُ
but when We remove from him his affliction (10:12)
أَوْ كَالَّذِي مَرَّ عَلَىٰ قَرْيَةٍ وَهِيَ خَاوِيَةٌ عَلَىٰ عُرُوشِهَا
Or [consider such an example] as the one who passed by a township which had fallen into ruin. (2:259)
Conclusion
This lesson on Arabic nuances concludes here. Insha’Allah, our subsequent session will delve into the imperfect tense in Arabic.
Al-dirassa Institute invites you on a linguistic journey with our expert teachers to master the Arabic language. Should you wish to further your studies, we welcome your inquiries.
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