LessonsImruʾ al-Qays: Dialogue in ʿUnayzah’s Litter, Boasting, and an Oath (Verses 13–18)Quiz

Taʿadhdharat is the third-person feminine perfect of Form V taʿadhdhara, yataʿadhdharu. The root relates to difficulty or excuse; with ʿalayya, it describes the beloved’s resistance or refusal. It should not be mechanically translated as “she forgave.”

Ālat belongs to the root associated with alā, yaʾlī, “to swear an oath.” Here it means “she swore,” not “she came back.” Ḥalfatan is a noun meaning an oath and reinforces the verbal action.

The two verbs create a clear sequence: first resistance, then an oath confirming the stance. Lexical meaning must be read with the actual construction, not inferred solely from the surface resemblance of words.

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Taʿadhdharat and ālat: two distinct acts

Imruʾ al-Qays: Dialogue in ʿUnayzah’s Litter, Boasting, and an Oath (Verses 13–18)

Taʿadhdharat is the third-person feminine perfect of Form V taʿadhdhara, yataʿadhdharu. The root relates to difficulty or excuse; with ʿalayya, it describes the beloved’s resistance or refusal. It should not be mechanically translated as “she forgave.”

Ālat belongs to the root associated with alā, yaʾlī, “to swear an oath.” Here it means “she swore,” not “she came back.” Ḥalfatan is a noun meaning an oath and reinforces the verbal action.

The two verbs create a clear sequence: first resistance, then an oath confirming the stance. Lexical meaning must be read with the actual construction, not inferred solely from the surface resemblance of words.