Explanation of the words of Ibn Malik (may Allah have mercy on him): "And if it is a condition or a question *** then absolutely, it completes the speech with it."
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The Shaykh :"And if it is a condition or a question *** then absolutely"
He means: so attach it to the definite and the indefinite, the singular and the plural, and if you wish, do not attach it. That it is a condition or a question, absolutely, means: it has no restriction.
"It completes the speech with it" He used the phrase: "It completes the speech with it" because the speech is scattered, meaning it needs to be grasped. So, what we understood from the author's words now is that "ayy" (which) comes for four meanings: relative, descriptive, conditional, and interrogative, correct? The relative is restricted to the definite, and the descriptive is the opposite, restricted to the indefinite. The conditional and the interrogative are absolute; they are for the indefinite and the definite. So you say, for example: "Ayy al-sabileyni tasilak" (Which of the two paths do you take?), "Ayy al-sabileyni tasilak" (Which of the two paths do you take?), "Ayy sabil tasilak" (Which path do you take?). In the first, it is definite, and in the second, it is indefinite. And you say: "Ayyan tasilak" (Whichever you take), this is not attached at all, yes. And you say: "Ayy rajul 'indak?" (Which man is with you?), this is interrogative. And you say: "Ayy al-rajulayn 'indak?" (Which of the two men is with you?), this is also interrogative, attached to a definite noun. And you say: "Ayyun 'indak min al-qawm?" (Which one of the people is with you?), this is not attached. So "ayy" becomes, when it is a condition or a question, attached to the indefinite and the definite, the singular and the plural, and cut off from attachment. And when it is a relative, it is restricted to attachment to the definite. And when it is a descriptive, it is restricted to attachment to the indefinite. So "it completes the speech with it," yes. And now we have completed the speech with it, yes. That is all for now, and Allah knows best, yes?
The student: Going around the Ka'bah.
The Shaykh : Yes?
The student: Going around the Ka'bah.
The Shaykh : Yes, indeed.
The student: Did it occur in the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)?
The Shaykh : I do not think it occurred in his time, because it appears that in the time of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), the people were few. Did you understand, everyone?
He means: so attach it to the definite and the indefinite, the singular and the plural, and if you wish, do not attach it. That it is a condition or a question, absolutely, means: it has no restriction.
"It completes the speech with it" He used the phrase: "It completes the speech with it" because the speech is scattered, meaning it needs to be grasped. So, what we understood from the author's words now is that "ayy" (which) comes for four meanings: relative, descriptive, conditional, and interrogative, correct? The relative is restricted to the definite, and the descriptive is the opposite, restricted to the indefinite. The conditional and the interrogative are absolute; they are for the indefinite and the definite. So you say, for example: "Ayy al-sabileyni tasilak" (Which of the two paths do you take?), "Ayy al-sabileyni tasilak" (Which of the two paths do you take?), "Ayy sabil tasilak" (Which path do you take?). In the first, it is definite, and in the second, it is indefinite. And you say: "Ayyan tasilak" (Whichever you take), this is not attached at all, yes. And you say: "Ayy rajul 'indak?" (Which man is with you?), this is interrogative. And you say: "Ayy al-rajulayn 'indak?" (Which of the two men is with you?), this is also interrogative, attached to a definite noun. And you say: "Ayyun 'indak min al-qawm?" (Which one of the people is with you?), this is not attached. So "ayy" becomes, when it is a condition or a question, attached to the indefinite and the definite, the singular and the plural, and cut off from attachment. And when it is a relative, it is restricted to attachment to the definite. And when it is a descriptive, it is restricted to attachment to the indefinite. So "it completes the speech with it," yes. And now we have completed the speech with it, yes. That is all for now, and Allah knows best, yes?
The student: Going around the Ka'bah.
The Shaykh : Yes?
The student: Going around the Ka'bah.
The Shaykh : Yes, indeed.
The student: Did it occur in the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)?
The Shaykh : I do not think it occurred in his time, because it appears that in the time of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), the people were few. Did you understand, everyone?