The Life of the Prophet Muhammad by Ibn Kathir - Volume 3 of 4

514 THE LIFE OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD
officially fraternized with the rnuhajirin, those Muslims who had initially gone
into exile from Mecca to Medina in their support for Islam.
'arab al-Caribs: the original Arabs, who are assumed to have spoken the language
of YaCmb h. Q&tzn.
'arab al-musra%ba: 'the arahized Arabs', initially referring to those who spoke
the Arabic of Ishmael, the dialects of the Hija, that is. The term is also
applied to those not descended from the Arabs of Arabia, but who have been
assimilated into Arab culture and who speak Arabic as their native tongue.
'Arafat (also 'Arafa): a plain some 13 miles east of Mecca. Essential parts of
the baj pilgrimage ceremonies occur there, centered on a small granite hill,
also known by the same name.
'ashira (pl. 'ashz'ir): an agnatic group. The word is commonly translated as
tribe. An 'ashira is composed of several afkhzdh (q.v.), while several 'asha'ir
form a single qabila (q.v.).
badana: an animal, commonly a camel, to he offered for sacrifice by a pilgrim
at the haj (q.v.).
baraka: blessing, in particular that divine force that enables prosperity and
happiness. Persons of great piety or holiness are believe suffused with baraka,
which radiates from them to those around them.
Bakka: an ancient alternative or original name for Mecca. In legend, the name
comes from the Arabic verb baka, he wept, applied to Adam's sadness at
descending to the barren environment of Arabia after his expulsion from
paradise.
bafn (pl. bupn): an agnatic group smaller than a qabila (q.v.) but larger than
a fakhdh (q.v.).
dzf': the word used to denote the act of departure from 'Arafst during the
pilgrimage rites.
fakhdh (pl. afkhadh): a group of several families claiming descent from the
same ancestor.
al-fair: the dawn; also the superogatory prayer, recommended but not required,
performed immediately after dawn. It consists of two rakcltr (q.v.) to be recited
audibly.