2.2 HOW TO TELL STATUS

In English, we were able to determine the status based on the meaning. In Arabic, however, status is determined by a marker or sign at the end of the word. 

As you know, there are three statuses in Arabic. There are, however, more than three status markers or signs. In other words, there are more than three ways that the status of a word can show. This is because each status can show in different ways depending on the number and the gender of the word. 

It is important to keep in mind that whenever you are trying to figure out the status of an Ism you must look at the ending of the word. There are two types of endings we will see, ending sounds (vowel change at the end) and ending combinations (letters added to the end of a word). 

The number/gender variations are singular, pair, masculine plural, and feminine plural.  Take a look at the charts below. Notice how each status looks different depending on the number and the gender of the word.

The word مسلم is the base. Anything beyond the last letter-in this case, the م-(whether it is a حركة or letters) is part of the status marker.

 

Memorise these charts:

 

*Note that the تنوين فتح ــً must sit either an ا or a ة or a ء. This is why the ا is added to the word مسلمًا when it is in the نصب status.

Let us now take a closer look at each number/gender combination.

SINGULAR

The word مسلم is the base and the status marker is the حركة that sits on the last letter. This type of status marker is called an ENDING SOUND.

 

To make a singular word feminine, just add a ة to the end of the word. This makes the base for the feminine مسلمة. The status marker is the حركة.

***NOTE that when adding a ة to any word, the letter before the ة gets a فتحة.

PAIR

The base is مسلم and everything beyond that is the status marker. Here, the فتحة on the م as well as the ان make up the status marker. We call this an ENDING COMBINATION because it is made up of more than a single حركة.

 

Notice that the نصب and جر forms are exactly the same. The way to distinguish between them is context. By the time we complete our study of fragments and sentences, you will easily be able to distinguish between the نصب and جر forms.

When creating the pair form of the feminine, the base is مسلمة and the ending combination is the انِ that attaches to the end. In script, however, nothing can attach to a ة, so it opens up and becomes a ت.

Notice that the ت always takes a فتحة.

 

PLURAL

There are two variations of the plural: masculine and feminine. Take a look at the charts below. 

 

MASCULINE:

In the plural masculine form, the status is determined by an ending combination just as it is in the pair form. The combination is made up of two letters that attach to the end of the word.

 

 

 

Notice that word مسلم remains the same throughout. The ending combination acts as an add-on and does not change the make-up of the word. Notice that the last letter in the word, the م, gets a ضمة in the رفع form and a كسرة in the نصب and جر forms. Also notice that the نصب and جر forms are exactly the same. The way to distinguish between the نصب and جر forms is context.

 

FEMININE

In the plural feminine form, the status is determined by an ending combination just as it is in the pair and plural masculine forms. The combinations is made up of two letters that attach to the end of the word. 

 

Notice that the م gets a فتحة in all forms. Also notice that the نصب and جر forms are exactly the same. The way to distinguish between them is context.

Now that you are familiar with all of the status markers, you should be able to determine the status of a word in Arabic. It is important to note that when determining status, you should ALWAYS look for ending combinations BEFORE you look for ending sounds. 

Furthermore, notice that there is no real difference in ending sounds or combinations for singular masculine/feminine and pair masculine/feminine. Therefore, the Muslim Chart can be further simplified as follows:  

 

DRILL 2: Is the word “Muslim” رفع (R) or نصب (N) or جر (J).

 

DRILL 3:  Is the word “Muslim” رفع (R) or نصب (N) or جر (J) How would you write the word in Arabic?

 

1. A Muslim woman travelled.                                                      

2. The religion of a Muslim is Islam.                                                             

3. I met a Muslim woman.                                                                             

4. The religion of Muslims is Islam.                                                             

5. Two Muslims travelled.                                                                        

6. Muslims travelled.                                                                                    

7. I met a Muslim.                                                                                           

8. The religion of two Muslims is Islam.                                                              

9. I met Muslims.                                                                                            

10. The house of a Muslim woman is clean.