Arabic has specific grammar rules for ‘Aadad and Ma’duwd–the number and the counted. Note: These rules apply for numbers from three to ten. One and two are special-they count as adjectives, not numbers, because the form of the word implies the number. In English, we say “three cars”. Three is the number (‘adad), and cars is the counted (ma’duwd). What are the grammatical rules of ‘adad and ma’duwd? Similar to time modifiers, ‘adad and ma’duwd work like possessive case.

The Arabic language contains “time modifiers”–words like “before” and “after”. In Arabic, these are called Duruwf Zamaan, and grammatically, they act like the possessive case. While there are tons of these in Arabic, there are two you run into pretty often in the Qur’an and ahadith: ba’da (after) and qabla (before). Grammatically, the modifier comes before the thing it modifies–the same as in English. And since the modifier acts like the possessor in the possessive case, the modified receives kasra.

You’re already familiar with possessive case in English–when we show ownership of something. For example, we might say, “this is Amer’s book” or “this is the book of Amer.” The possessive case has two elements: The possessor, i.e. the one who owns the thing. In this case, Amer. The possessed, i.e. the thing being owned. In this example, the book. The possessive case in Arabic is the same. The possessed is called the mudaf, the possessor the mudaf ilayh.

Arabic is an integral part of Islam. After all, Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) revealed the Qur’an in Arabic, and all the ahadeeth of the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم), not to mention the key works of early scholars, all are in Arabic. Many of us embark down the path to learn Arabic. But what elements do you need to succeed–aside from patience, persistence, practise, and a pure intention to seek only the pleasure of Allah (سبحانه وتعالى)?

Truth is one and falsehood is many. How do we know? Just look at the Qur’an! Allah makes a simile of truth as a singular light (noor), and falsehood as a plural of darkness (dhulumaat — multiple). What’s more, the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) once drew a stick in the dirt and said “this is the Straight Path.” He then drew lines that grew away from it, left and right, and said “these are the paths of misguidance, and at the top of every one of these paths is a devil calling the people.

Why is emphasis important? It proves truthfulness. For example, if you says “Khalid stopped by today” and your friend says “Khalid didn’t stop by today,” and you say “I swear by Allah that he stopped by today,” that proves your truthfulness. Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) doesn’t need any emphasis–what He says is always true! Yet He still emphasizes. Whenever He emphasizes something, pay close attention, and realize that what He says immediately afterward is very important.

Want to appreciate your parents more? Maybe give them the respect and honour they really deserve? Here’s an easy way to do it! Have you ever been in a position where someone did you a really big favour–big to you, anyway–and you really, really appreciated it? Think back in your life. Chances are you thanked the person a lot for days after it–and, what’s more, you changed the way you treated them.

Taqwa: To be aware of Allah. To obey him and do those things that earn His pleasure and mercy, and avoid disobeying him and doing those things that earn His punishment and wrath. Ali ibn Abu Talib (رضي الله عنه), fourth khalifa of Islam and amazing companion of the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم), said: Taqwa is three things: To fear Allah, the almighty. To follow the revelation (i.e. the Qur’an and the Sunnah).

Now that Ramadan’s over, many of us feel sad–we miss the spirituality, the eman rush, the amazing strength that we all demonstrate in Ramadan. So what can you do to bring those feelings back? One thing is to keep performing the deeds you performed in Ramadan–and this is one of the signs that Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) accepted your deeds. Another act you can perform is to fast six days of Shawwal, the month right after Ramadan.

Abdullah ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنه) was a great companion and a great scholar. In fact, the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) made du’a for him, that Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) grants him knowledge of the deen. Even more amazing then this, Ibn Abbas narrated that the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) once made du’a and said, “O Allah! teach him wisdom (i.e. the understanding of the knowledge of Qur’an).” [Bukhari 5/57/100] This is why his tafseer carries a heavy weight, even today, more then a millenium after his death.