Page 48 - Pure Life 40
P. 48
Elucidating the Behaviors of the Hypocrites in Medina… M. Bagheri Sadr (23
Theoretical Foundations 2. Nifāq (Hypocrisy)
the most important terms used in the The Arabic term Nifāq is a rare verbal
title and contents of this article will be noun derived from the Mufā’ala form,
briefly explained as follows: following the pattern of Fi’āl and
stemming from the root Nafaqa. This
1. Lifestyle root conveys the meanings of ‘loss’ or
Lifestyle refers to the method that every ‘to lose’ and this general sense is
individual chooses for their lifespan in present in all its derivatives, such as
this world. It encompasses the system Nafaqatun (expense) and Infāq
of values, perceptions, attitudes, habits, (spending). The idea is that in any
subcultures, actions, and reactions of kind of expenditure, an individual’s
each person. This concept originates wealth decreases and a portion of it is
from the realm of insight and gradually lost. Sometimes, Nafaqa is also used
manifests in actions, eventually concerning the price of goods,
evolving into a permanent disposition implying that a commodity has
(Sharaf al-Dīn, 2017, p.74; Kāfī, 2018, become scarce or unavailable, leading
p.22; Faʿālī, 2018, p. 90). to an increase in its price.
The premise of this discussion is It is pertinent to mention that all the
that a healthy and correct lifestyle derivatives mentioned under the entry
depends on adhering to divine Nafaqa in Kitab al-'Ayn pertain to
commandments and following these meanings (Farāhīdī, 1989,
religious teachings. Accordingly, the Vol.5, p.178). Additionally, the term
prohibitions mentioned in Quranic al-Nafaqun refers to moving stealthily,
verses and traditions including the whether underground or above ground
prohibition of the behaviors of the (Ibn Durayd, 1988, vol. 2, p. 967).
hypocrites, are considered pathways to This term entails a sense of escape
achieving a healthy lifestyle. Thus, (Azharī, 2000, Vol. 9, p. 155; Ibn
Ḥayāt al-Tayyibah (goodly pure life) is ʿAbbād, 1993, Vol. 5, p. 445). Some
a kind of individual or social life, that linguists believe that this root and its
is characterized by calmness, derivatives stem from two principal
smoothness, purity, and peace of mind, meanings. Certain derivatives refer to
and it is free from every kind of the first meaning, i.e., loss, while
pollution, oppression, betrayal, enmity others relate to the second meaning,
and hatred, captivity and humiliation, i.e., concealment. These two meanings
and all kinds of worries and anything ultimately converge, as the derivatives
that makes life unpleasant of this root imbue both concepts (Ibn
(Muhammad-Bello et al., 2021, p. 48).
Fāris, 1984, Vol. 5, pp. 454-455).
