Lā of Absolute Negation (Lā al-Nāfiya lil-Jins) | A Simple, Comprehensive Explanation 2026
💡 Quick Answer: Lā al-nāfiya lil-jins is the "lā" that negates an entire category, not just a single individual. It works like "inna": it puts its noun in the accusative case and its predicate in the nominative case. Example: lā ṭāliba kasūlun (no student is lazy).
What Is Lā al-Nāfiya lil-Jins?
Lā al-nāfiya lil-jins is a negation particle in Arabic that negates a statement for an entire category rather than for one specific individual. It works like "inna and its sisters": it puts the noun in the accusative case and the predicate in the nominative case.
Conditions for Lā al-Nāfiya lil-Jins to Take Effect
- Its noun must be indefinite: lā rajula fī al-bayt (there is no man in the house) ✅ | lā al-rajulu fī al-bayt ❌
- Nothing may separate it from its noun: lā fī al-bayti rajula ❌
- It must not be repeated: if it is repeated, it may either take effect or be left inoperative
Types of the Noun of Lā al-Nāfiya lil-Jins
1. The Singular (Mufrad) — Indeclinable, Built on Its Accusative Marker
- lā ṭāliba muqaṣṣirun — no student is negligent (singular — built on the fatḥa)
- lā musāfirayni masrūran — no two travellers are happy (dual — built on the yāʾ)
- lā muhmilīna nājiḥūn — no careless people succeed (masculine plural — built on the yāʾ)
2. The Construct Noun (Muḍāf) — Accusative
- lā ṭāliba ʿilmin muqaṣṣirun — no seeker of knowledge is negligent (ṭāliba: accusative)
3. The Quasi-Construct Noun (Shabīh bil-Muḍāf) — Accusative
- lā ṭāliban ʿilman muqaṣṣirun — no one seeking knowledge is negligent (ṭāliban: accusative)
Summary Table of the Types of the Noun of Lā al-Nāfiya lil-Jins
| Type | Grammatical case | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Singular | Indeclinable, built on the fatḥa | lā rajula |
| Construct | Accusative, marked by the fatḥa | lā ṭāliba ʿilmin |
| Quasi-construct | Accusative, marked by the fatḥa | lā ṭāliban ʿilman |
Frequently Asked Questions About Lā al-Nāfiya lil-Jins
What is the difference between lā al-nāfiya lil-jins and lā al-nāfiya lil-waḥda?
Lā al-nāfiya lil-jins negates the entire category (lā aḥada fī al-bayt = there is no one at all in the house). Lā al-nāfiya lil-waḥda negates a single individual (lā rajulun fī al-bayt = not one man, though perhaps more than one).
When is lā al-nāfiya lil-jins left inoperative?
It is left inoperative when it is repeated (lā rajulun wa-lā imraʾatun), when its noun is definite, or when something separates it from its noun.
اترك تعليقًا الآن
0 تعليقات