ARABIC-L: LING: zaka:t & sha:wurma

[Dilworth B. Parkinson]

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Arabic-L: Wed 14 Apr 1999
Moderator: Dilworth Parkinson <dilworth_parkinson at byu.edu>
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1) Subject: zaka:t & sha:wurma

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1)
Date: 14 Apr 1999
From: Jim Rader <jrader at m-w.com>
Subject: zaka:t & sha:wurma

By way of introduction:  I am an etymologist at Merriam-Webster, a
dictionary publisher in Springfield, Massachusetts.  I have no
qualifications as an Arabist, in fact, I scarcely know any Arabic,
which is why I am addressing my questions to this list.  (Our
editorial department  is currently and for the near future without a
Semitic specialist.)

My first query concerns the word <zaka:t> (I use ":" to mark long a).
This word, according to the _Encyclopaedia Britannica_ article I am
reviewing, refers to "an obligatory tax required of Muslims, one of
the Five Pillars of Islam."  The English version of Hans Wehr's
Arabic dictionary, one of the few immediate references to which I
have access, has an appropriate-sounding entry for this word,, but
under <zaka:h>, not <zaka:t>.  In Wehr, <zaka:h> is defined as
"purity; justness, integrity, honesty; justification, vindication;
almsgiving, alms, charity; alms tax."  Is <zaka:t> the so-called
"construct form" and should <zaka:h> be shown as the primary form?
Or is <zaka:t> an independent word derivationally related to
<zaka:h>?  Any elucidation would be appreciated.

My second query concerns the Levantine Arabic word <sha:wurma> or
<sha:wirma>, defined by Wehr as "charcoal-broiled mutton, cut in thin
slices and arranged conically on a vertical skewer."  This word is
not listed under any root.  Is there an accepted etymology for the
word?  Any proposed etymology?

My gratitude for your patience and time.

Jim Rader
Merriam-Webster, Inc.

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End of Arabic-L: 14 Apr 1999