ءلا

Root entry · 5 derived lemmas

This root entry discusses the particle 'ألا' (allā), which is a particle of exhortation used with declarative verbal sentences. It has two main meanings: it can function like 'ألا' (alā) meaning 'why not?' or 'if only,' and it can also be a contraction of 'أن لا' (an lā) meaning 'that not.'

Derived headwords

ألاparticle

1.
exhortation particleboth
A particle of exhortation, specifically used with declarative verbal sentences.
2.
why not / if onlyclassical
Used to express a wish or regret, similar to 'why not?' or 'if only.'
3.
that notboth
A contraction of 'أن لا' (an lā), meaning 'that not,' often used after verbs of commanding or forbidding.

فعلتverb

1.
to do/actboth
The past tense verb 'you did' or 'you acted,' used in the context of the particle 'ألا'.

ألا فعلت ذا — Did you not do that?

يفعلverb

1.
to do/actboth
The present tense verb 'he does' or 'he acts,' used in the context of the particle 'ألا'.

ألا يفعل ذلك — Why doesn't he do that?

أمرتهverb

1.
to commandboth
The past tense verb 'I commanded him,' used in the context of the particle 'ألا'.

أمرته ألا يفعل ذلك — I commanded him not to do that.

أن لاparticle

1.
that notboth
The conjunction 'an' followed by the negation particle 'lā', meaning 'that not.'

أمرتك أن لا تفعل ذلك — I commanded you not to do that.

Parallel reading

ألا فعلت ذا، معناه: لم لم تفعل كذا

Allā fa'alta dhā, its meaning is: why did you not do such-and-such?

وتكون بمعنى أن لا فأدغمت النون في اللام وشددت اللام

And it can mean 'an lā' where the 'nūn' has been assimilated into the 'lām' and the 'lām' has been doubled.

تقول: أمرته ألا يفعل ذلك، بالإدغام

You say: 'Amartuhu allā yaf'ala dhālik,' with assimilation.

ويجوز إظهار النون كقولك: أمرتك أن لا تفعل ذلك

And it is permissible to show the 'nūn' as in your saying: 'Amartuka an lā taf'ala dhālik.'

وقد جاء في المصاحف القديمة مدغما في موضع، ومظهرا في موضع، وكل ذلك جائز

And it has come in old Qur'ans assimilated in one place and shown in another, and all of that is permissible.

وأن لا إذا كانت إخبارا نصبت ورفعت

And 'an lā' if it is declarative, it causes the verb to be منصوب (accusative) and مرفوع (nominative).

وإذا كانت نهيا جزمت

And if it is prohibitive, it causes the verb to be مجزوم (jussive).