Dictionary of The Holy Quran — Page iii
FOREWORD While editing a commentary of the Holy Qur'an in English, I discovered the perennial fact that for a proper interpretation of its Text a sound knowledge of the Arabic language is an indispensable necessity; and one has to make frequent use of the standard Arabic lexicons for this purpose. The use of these lexicons is essential because the very word 'Arabiyy' (Arabic) conveys the sense of fullness, abundance and clearness and so the Arabic language legitimately claims to be the most expressive, eloquent and comprehensive language. It possesses suitable words and phrases for the full expression of all sorts of ideas and shades of meaning, even the particles and letters of this language possess clear and definite meanings. As according to Muslim belief the Holy Qur'an meets all human needs under all circumstances, it was revealed in the language in which the phrases, expressions, words and even letters possess a vast variety of meanings. This fact led me, while engaged in editing the five-volume English Commentary of the Holy Qur'an covering about 3000 pages, to prepare a complete dictionary in English of the holy Book in which more than 1400 Arabic roots with their derivatives, as used in the Qur'an have been explained in all their multifarious aspects, even letters and particles at different places in it have not been left unexplained. The Dictionary also forms a sort of concordance of the Holy Qur'an in as much as reference to the particular Quranic verse or verses, in which a certain word occurs, is given. I hope that an intelligent use of this Dictionary will greatly help the reader of the Holy Qur'an to understand and interpret it for himself. In the preparation of the Dictionary, I have made frequent use of the Lisan, the Taj, the Lane's Lexicon, the Qamus, the Aqrab ul Mawarid and the Mufradat Raghib. Allah be praised that I have been vouchsafed ample time, means and strength to prepare this Dictionary. MALIK GHULAM FARID April 18, 1969 (THE EDITOR)