هَلْ زَيْدٌ قَائِمٌ؟
Is Zayd standing?
Hamza can request either identification (taṣawwur) or assent (taṣdīq). In contrast, the primary genuine interrogative function of hal is seeking assent to a proposition.
“A-Zaydun qāma am ʿAmrun?” may ask who acted. “Hal Zaydun qāʾimun?” instead asks whether the state of standing obtains. This distinction also controls constructions with am.
FeatureHamzaHal
TaṣawwurPossibleNot its primary function
TaṣdīqPossibleCore function
ExampleA-Zayd am ʿAmr?Hal Zaydun qāʾim?
AnswerName or yes/noUsually yes/no