Did you know that in Arabic, there are 12 levels of friendship?
For every level of friendship, there is an Arabic word to describe it. From Sadeeq to Khaleel, it is rare to find all 12 levels of friendship in one person.
A thread on the 12 levels of friendship in Arabic…
1/ 𝙎𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙚𝙦 (صديق) - a true friend; someone who doesn't befriend you for an ulterior motive. The word "Sadeeq" is commonly translated as truth, so honesty and loyalty is at the core of this friendship
2/ 𝘼𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙨 (أنيس) - someone with whom you're really comfortable and familiar with.
3/ 𝙕𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙚𝙡 (زميل) - someone you have a nodding acquaintance with.
4/ 𝙅𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙚𝙨 (جليس) - someone you're comfortable sitting with for a period of time.
5/ 𝙎𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙚𝙧 (سمير) - you have good conversation with them.
6/ 𝙎𝙖𝙝𝙞𝙗 (صاحب) - someone who's concerned for your well-being.
7/ 𝙍𝙖𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙦 (رفيق) - someone you can depend upon.
8/ 𝙆𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙚𝙡 (خليل) - an intimate friend; someone whose presence makes you happy.
9/ 𝙉𝙖𝙟𝙞𝙮𝙮 (نجي) - a confidant; someone you trust deeply.
10/ 𝙉𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙚𝙢 (نديم) - a drinking companion (just tea) that you might call when you're free.
11/ 𝙎𝙖𝙛𝙞𝙮𝙮 (صفي) - your best friend; someone you've chosen over other friends.
12/ 𝙌𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙣 (قرين) - someone who's inseparable from you; you know how they think (and vice versa).
Want to know more about Arabic language & poetry?
Join us for a captivating journey into the realm of Language and Verse, where the enchanting art of poetry unites cultures, kindles imaginations, and resonates across generations.
September 7
6:00 = 7:30pm BST
All ticket holders receive a recording so you can watch back at your convenience…
Embark on a poetic odyssey that transcends time and borders, as we journey through the enchanting world of language and verse across the expanse of the Muslim world. We will pay homage to the timeless poets, from Rumi to Yunus Emre to Hafiz to Faiz Ahmed Faiz, whose eloquence has shaped the very essence of poetry within this rich cultural tapestry.
Unlock the linguistic treasures that have shaped the poetic traditions of the Muslim world, from historical epics to modern odes, and experience the profound impact of language on poetic expression.
Engage in conversations with poets, scholars, and linguists, as they illuminate the intricate techniques, metaphorical brilliance, and cultural significance that define the heart of poetry.
Discover how poetry transcends borders, bridging diverse communities and fostering cross-cultural dialogues that nurture understanding, empathy, and shared experiences.
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Mariam Astrulabi was a pioneering female Muslim scientist & astronomer, born in Syria during the 10th century. She is known for developing Astrolabes, an ancient astronomical computer for solving problems related to time & position of the sun & stars
A thread on Mariam Astrulabi
1/ Mariam al Astrulabi's remarkable contribution to the art of astrolabes has largely been ignored by the world. What she achieved in the 10th century consequently helped several generations of scientists to explore the concept of time and space.
Astrolabe @HSMOxford
@HSMOxford 2/ Astrolabes were beneficial in determining the position of the sun, moon, stars & the planets. They were used in astronomy, astrology & horoscopes. Muslims would specifically use it to find the Qibla, determine prayer times & the initial days of Ramadan and Eid
Did you know Mosque ceilings are designed to reflect the magnificence of the universe?
Here are spectacular details of 24 Mosque ceilings from around the world…
A thread…
1/ Jami Mosque, Andijan, Uzbekistan
The construction of the madrasah began in 1883 and lasted for 7 years. It has a gorgeous fretwork of wooden columns supporting a ceiling decorated with bright patterns made of a combination of geometrical ornaments & vegetal elements
Construction of the mosque started in 1603 and was finished in 1619. Built by the chief architect Mohammadreza Isfahani, during the reign of Shah Abbas I of Persia. Beautiful interior dome details
Ever wondered who paved the way for the age of algorithms?
It was a 9th-century Muslim genius, mathematician, geographer & astronomer, Abu Abdallah Muhammad ibn Musa Al-Khwarizmi - also known as the Father of Algebra
A thread on the incredible Muhammad ibn Musa Al-Khwarizmi…
1/ Even the term algorithm is Al-Khwarizmi translated into Latin!
The scientist and mathematician Muhammad ibn Musa Al-Khwarizmi lived from 780 to 850 AD in Persia and Iraq.
2/ Al-Khwarizmi's most significant contribution to mathematics was the development of algebra. His book, "Kitab al-Jabr wal-Muqabala" (The Compendious Book on Calculation by Completion and Balancing), introduced systematic methods for solving linear and quadratic equations.
Did you know that the Persian scholar of medicine, Ibn Sina (980-1037) suspected some diseases were spread by microorganisms.
To prevent human-to-human contamination, he came up with a method of isolating people for 40 days.
A thread on Ibn Sina & his impact on modern science…
1/ Ibn Sina, also known to the Latin West as Avicenna, was a Persian polymath and one of the most influential Islamic philosophers, physicians, and scientists of the medieval period. He was born in 980 CE in present-day Uzbekistan and passed away in 1037 CE in Iran.
2/ Ibn Sina's medical works had a profound impact on European medicine. His most renowned work in medicine is "The Canon of Medicine" (Al-Qanun fi al-Tibb), considered one of the most influential medical texts in history. It consists of five books & covers a range of medical topics
‘Traveling leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller’
- Ibn Battuta
The most famous explorer in the Muslim World, Ibn Battuta, travelled more than any other explorer in pre-modern history - around 117,000 km!
A thread on the 14th century explorer Ibn Battuta…
1/ Ibn Battuta was born in 1304 CE in Tangier, Morocco. His travelogue the Rihla is his most important work. His journeys in the Rihla lasted for a period of almost thirty years, covering nearly the whole of the known Islamic world & beyond.
2/ Ibn Battuta travelled more than any other explorer in pre-modern history, surpassing Zheng He with 50,000 km (31,000 mi) and Marco Polo with 24,000 km. His total distance travelled was approximately 117,000 km (73,000 mi) (15,000 mi).
Ismail al-Jazari, a Muslim inventor from the 12th century is known as the "father of robotics" due to his groundbreaking work in the field of automata, which are self-operating machines.
A thread on Ismail al-Jazari, engineering & robotics…
1/ While robotics is considered a relatively new field of science, with the public’s consensus that it is the creation of 20th-century scientists, it would be surprising to know that the field has its roots in the medieval era nearly a millennium ago, with Ismail Al Jazari
2/ Ismail Al Jazari gained fame for his extraordinary inventions, encompassing a wide spectrum of marvels. His repertoire included robots programmed to provide guests with towels, programmable on-off switches for fountains, automated mechanical clocks & much more!
A Candle Clock from a copy of al-Jazaris treatise on automata