– al-Ṣafā: with a final alif maqṣūrah; plural ṣafāt. It is a large, hard, smooth rock, and likewise this ritual site—situated at the base of Mount Abū Qays—is one of the consecrated rites. Allah the Exalted says, “Indeed al-Ṣafā and al-Marwah are among the symbols of Allah” (Q 2:158).

– al-Marwah: plural marw. The word denotes thin, white stones that gleam in the sunlight; such is the description of the hill of al-Marwah, itself one of the sacred rites. Concerning it Allah says, “Indeed al-Ṣafā and al-Marwah are among the symbols of Allah” (Q 2:158).

– the symbols of Allah (shaʿāʾir Allāh): shaʿāʾir is the plural of shaʿīrah, meaning the distinguishing marks of Islam. Here it refers to the landmarks of the pilgrimage, which the pilgrim must revere and between which he performs the saʿy.

– anjaza: the verb najaza al-waʿdu, yanjuzu najzan (pattern faʿala, like qatala) means “for a promise to be fulfilled quickly.” It becomes transitive by adding a hamzah or a preposition—one says anjaztuhu or najaztu bihi when one hastens it. This particular promise was realized when Allah granted victory to His Prophet and single-handedly routed the Confederates.

– His promise (waʿdahu): the verb waʿada is used for both good and evil. One may say waʿdahu khayran (“he promised him good”) or waʿdahu sharran (“he promised him evil”). In practice the words good and evil are often dropped; for good news one says waʿdahu waʿdan, and for a threat waʿdahu waʿīdan. Thus the verbal noun makes the distinction: waʿd is a promise of good, waʿīd a threat of punishment.

– He supported His servant (naṣara ʿabdahu): naṣara, yanṣuru, naṣran means to aid and strengthen. The meaning here is that Allah aided His Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, against his enemies until he prevailed over them and opened their lands.

– hazama: yahzimu hazman (pattern daraba) means to crush and break. The noun is hazīmah (defeat); the plural is hazamāt.

– al-Aḥzāb (the Confederates): the tribes that banded together and besieged Madinah. Allah alone routed them without any human fighting, as He says, “We sent against them a wind and forces you did not see” (Q 33:9), and: “Allah turned back the disbelievers in their rage; they attained no advantage. Allah spared the believers from fighting, for Allah is Ever-Powerful, All-Mighty” (Q 33:25).