LessonsSeven Semantic Properties of Form III (Mufāʿalah): Participation, Equivalence, Causing a State, and Independent UsesQuiz

FeatureParticipationOrdinary causation
SenseBoth sides participateAn agent affects an object
Exampleقَاتَلَ زَيْدٌ عَمْرًاأَخْرَجَ زَيْدٌ عَمْرًا
MeaningMutual combatZayd made ʿAmr go out

In the first example, both sides confront one another; in the second, Zayd causes ʿAmr to go out. Transitivity by itself does not prove reciprocity.

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Participation Versus One-Way Causation

Seven Semantic Properties of Form III (Mufāʿalah): Participation, Equivalence, Causing a State, and Independent Uses

FeatureParticipationOrdinary causation
SenseBoth sides participateAn agent affects an object
Exampleقَاتَلَ زَيْدٌ عَمْرًاأَخْرَجَ زَيْدٌ عَمْرًا
MeaningMutual combatZayd made ʿAmr go out

In the first example, both sides confront one another; in the second, Zayd causes ʿAmr to go out. Transitivity by itself does not prove reciprocity.