What does Al-alf mean?

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Discover the meaning of the term Al-alf (ألف) in Islamic vocabulary.

Definition Al-alf

Al-alf according to Dustur al-'Ulama (Al-Ahmadnagari)

With the unvoweled lam and without pressing of the tongue, as in ma and la. It is said the alif is of two kinds: one unvoweled, as in the mentioned example, and one voweled, as amara; of the latter kind, the name alif is applied to the connecting hamza (hamzat al-wasl), called the alif of connection. It is said in the Sihah: the alif is of two kinds, soft and voweled; the soft is called alif and the voweled is called hamza; the alif with light hamza and unvoweled lam is widespread, as mi'a (hundred); the alif with the first and second vowels light: al-alfa and al-insa (taming and familiarity).

Al-alf according to Al-Qamus al-Fiqhi

So-and-so, allafa, allafa or allafa: he won him over and loved him; he is mu'allif; plural: mu'allifun; he is mu'lif; plural: ulfa'. So-and-so allafa the thing: he joined its parts. The book: he compiled it. His heart: the winning over; in the Quran: "He joined their hearts: had you spent all that is in the earth you could not have joined their hearts, but Allah joined them: He is mighty, wise" (al-Anfal 8:62).

Related terms: Al-alf