Nahw!!!

Grammar not only plays a role in our understanding of the basic meanings of the Qur’an and the sunna of the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace), but also the implications of those meanings on our belief, worship, and spirituality.

Thus, one can find that legal rulings are sometimes based on the grammatical import of certain words and sentences.
For example, it is often a practice in many mosques that the Imam initiates the prayer after the completion of the ‘call to commence’ (iqama). However, according to Imam Abu Hanifa, the Imam should commence the prayer as soon as the one calling to the commencement of prayer says قَدْ قامَتِ الصَّلاة.

This is because, as we took in class, the particle قَدْ also comes in the meaning of confirmation. In order to make the one calling people to the commencement of prayer truthful in his speech, Imam Abu Hanifa said that the Imam should say the opening invocations (takbir) to initiate the prayer as soon as the individual says the iqama.

As we build our knowledge of grammar, and the Arabic language in general, we will begin to notice and appreciate these subtle points much better. May Allah facilitate our learning.

[Sources:Al-Ikhtiyar and Bada`i al-Sana`i]
Fatwa is not given on this opinion.

Khalil Ibn Ilyas Laher