al-Salāmu 'alaykum wa rahmatullāh
One of the words for a 'tap' in Arabic is a hanafiyyah. If it makes you think of the Hanafī madh`hab, there is a quirky story that explains why.
When taps were invented, the scholars held that wudū' (ablution) must only be performed using still water, and that running water coming through pipes from a tap may not be used to do wudū'.
The Hanafīs then looked into the matter and ruled that it was permissible to perform wudū' using water that came from a tap. And so to this day, the tap remains the namesake of the Hanafīs.
6 responses so far ↓
Umm Isaac // April 21, 2006 at 2:04 am |
Assalaamu ‘alaikoum warahmatuAllaah,
Way too neat! How will I ever NOT think of this story when I go wash something using the hanafiyya — is this word only used in specific dialects such as the Masri one only? I’m sharing this with my family, no doubt.
arabicgems // April 21, 2006 at 11:06 am |
wa ‘alaykum al-Salaam wa rahmat Allaah,
It is not only the egyptian dialect, I know some Levantine dialects also use it (Syria, Palestine, Lebanon). I know that the Libyans and Algerians have their own words they use colloquialy; I am not sure about the Gulf countries or the Hijaaz. If anyone reading does know perhaps they could help out here in shaa’ Allaah.
Jazaakum Allaahu khayran.
A Muslimah // May 11, 2006 at 11:03 am |
Assalaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullaahi wa Barakaatoh
Sub7aanallaah…very interesting indeed! Jazaakumullaahu khairan for the info.
In the gulf – at least from my experience – I have heard both حنفية and صنبور (which is the proper term for it) used. I have also heard some refer to it as بَزْبُوز and read that others refer to it as ولف?!!
Wallaahu A’lam.
arabicgems // May 11, 2006 at 6:56 pm |
wa ‘alaykum al-Salaam wa rahmat Allaahi wa barakaatuhu,
Wa iyyaakum. Would you know the link of those words to the tap?
A Muslimah // May 11, 2006 at 8:11 pm |
Assalaamu Alaikum
As it stands now, I do not know of any links to the tap. In shaa’ Allaah if I happen to find out, I’ll make sure to share. Baarakallaahu feekum.
Wassalaamu Alaikum
majnun // February 18, 2009 at 11:38 pm |
I always thought it was because the imams name was Abu Hanifah?