Glossary: L

laʿb

Play is an activity with imaginary rather than real goals, like children's games; lahw (diversion) is anything that distracts from one's important goals. → Read at 57:20

laghw

Laghw is used for any action or speech not worthy of attention because it lacks a rational objective; thus, as is said, it would include all sins. → Read at 25:72

laḥn

Al-Rāghib: tone means altering speech from its normal way, either by neglecting declension and mispronouncing (blameworthy, the most common usage) or by speaking through insinuation and allusion; the hypocrites are known by their allusive speech. → Read at 47:30

lahw

() Diversion is whatever distracts you from something of importance; the life of this world is a diversion because its fleeting vanities distract the human being from the eternal life of the Hereafter. → Read
() The use of stringed instruments and instruments of singing and music so that people would gather for trade; trade was the actual intent, and the lahw served it. → Read

lahw al-ḥadīth

Diversion (lahw) is anything that distracts a person from what should concern him; diversionary talk is any talk whose nature is either to divert attention from the truth, such as fables and vulgar tales, or to vie with it, such as poetry recitations and gatherings of vain amusement. → Read at 31:6

laʿib

Laʿib is a coherent act that has no purpose beyond the imaginary, like children's games; lahw is being distracted from what should concern one, and it is a characteristic of the heart. → Read at 21:2

laʿn

What the lexicographers have specified, and what is found in the Qur'anic usage, is that laʿn (curse) means being far from mercy and good, not being far in an absolute and unconditional sense. → Read at 17:60

laṭīf

() Something fine that penetrates something else; since God encompasses all things in the real sense, nothing outward or inward escapes Him, and He comprehends both sight and what it sees. → Read
() A divine name indicating His encompassing even the most remote circumstances and His knowledge of the innermost aspects of things. Laṭīf essentially means subtlety and the ability to permeate the finest spaces; it is used metaphorically for kindness and gentleness. → Read
() "Knower of the subtleties, the Aware": God has penetrating knowledge of the inner reality of things and is acquainted with the particulars of their existence and effects. → Read

līnah

Al-Rāghib: a tender palm tree, without specifying a particular type. → Read at 59:5

liqāʾ

The encountering or meeting of God means a state where the only rule and judgment that is effective is that of God, and where the servants are not veiled from their Lord. → Read at 84:6

liqāʾ allāh

Encountering God means a servant standing in a station where there is no veil between him and his Lord, as will be the case on the Day of Resurrection, the arena in which realities become manifest. → Read at 29:5

Glossary: L ​

Glossary: L