What does Al-ḍḥk mean?

Islam > Glossary > Al-ḍḥk

Discover the meaning of the term Al-ḍḥk (ضحك) in Islamic vocabulary.

Definition Al-ḍḥk

Al-ḍḥk according to Kitab at-Ta'rifat (Al-Jurjani)

An unstable quality arising from the spirit's sudden motion outward, due to the wonder seizing the laugher; laughter's limit is its being audible to him, not to his neighbors.

Al-ḍḥk according to Mufradat (Ar-Raghib)

It is a genus name beneath which are two kinds: the smile and the loud laugh.

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

Know that the unstable quality arising to man from the spirit's sudden motion outward, because of the wonder seizing him: if it is such as not to be audible to him, it is the smile; if audible to him, it is laughter; and if audible to his neighbors, it is the loud guffaw. Thus is known from here the definition of each of smile, laughter and guffaw. In some transmissions there is no distinction between guffaw and laughter; therefore al-Sayyid al-Sanad al-Sharif, may his spirit be hallowed, fixed in his terminologies the limit of laughter as what is audible to his neighbors.

Al-ḍḥk according to Mu'jam Lughat al-Fuqaha

With fatha then kasra. Masdar of dahika: the face's spreading and the lips' parting from the teeth in joy, with the sound's accompaniment; if no sound appears it is a smile (laugh). Ad-dahh: with fatha of the sad, masdar of daha the water: to make it flow by a driving force (to squirt water, to pump).

Al-ḍḥk according to At-Ta'rifat al-Fiqhiyya (Al-Barkati)

With fatha: the face's spreading whereby man's joy appears; if without sound it is a smile; if with a sound heard from afar it is a guffaw; otherwise it is laughter.

Related terms: Al-ḍḥk