سبل

Root entry · 2 derived lemmas

This root primarily concerns the concept of a path, way, or road. It extends to encompass the idea of a course of action, a method, or a means, particularly in the context of divine guidance or a righteous path.

Derived headwords

السَّبِيلnoun

1.
Path, way, roadboth
The road or path, and what is clear of it. It can be masculine or feminine.
2.
Path of Godboth
The path of guidance to which God has called.
3.
Course, methodboth
A way of acting or a means to achieve something.

سَبِيلُ اللهِnoun

1.
Path of Godboth
The path of guidance to which God has called.

Parallel reading

الطريق وما وضح منه، يذكر ويؤنث.

The road and what is clear of it; it is used as masculine and feminine.

وسبيل الله: طريق الهدى الذي دعا إليه.

And the path of God: the way of guidance to which He has called.

وإن يروا سبيل الرشد لا يتخذوه سبيلا

And if they see the path of righteousness, they will not take it as a path.

وإن يروا سبيل الغي يتخذوه سبيلا

And if they see the path of misguidance, they will take it as a path.

قل هذه سبيلي أدعوا إلى الله على بصيرة

Say, 'This is my way; I invite to Allah with insight.'

وعلى الله قصد السبيل ومنها جائر

And upon Allah is [the way of] guidance, and among them are crooked paths.

على الله أن يقصد السبيل للمسلمين، ومنها جائر أي ومن الطرق جائر على غير السبيل

It is upon God to make the path clear for the Muslims, and among them are crooked paths, meaning among the roads are those that deviate from the [right] path.

فينبغي أن يكون السبيل هنا اسم الجنس لا سبيلا واحدا بعينه، لأنه قد قال ومنها جائر أي ومنها سبيل جائر.

So it should be that the ' سبيل' here is a generic noun, not a specific single path, because He also said 'and among them are crooked paths,' meaning among them is a crooked path.