the other classes of nouns, such as adjectives and similar forms, including nouns of place, time and instrument, passive participles, and so forth.
As for the claim made by some jurists that wajh (“face”) is derived from muwājahah (“facing one another”), there is no evidence for it. Others have opposed this claim, saying that it is derived from wajāhah (“eminence”); both views are weak. Rather, muwājahah is derived from wajh, just as mushāfahah (“speaking face to face”) is derived from shafah (“lip”), munāzarah—in the sense of facing one another—from nazar (“looking”), and mu‘āyanah (“direct observation”) from ‘ayn (“eye”).
As for deriving wajh, meaning that which turns towards something, from wajh, meaning the act of turning towards something, this is more plausible. A person’s turning is an action peculiar to him that does not require another party, whereas facing one another requires two parties. A human being acts and forms intentions, and his intention is his turning towards something. It is with this bodily member that he turns towards whatever he desires and directs himself towards.
Among the expressions of this kind are the words of Allah Most High:
“Yes indeed, whoever submits his face to Allah while doing good will have his reward with his Lord.”
And His words:
“Who is better in religion than one who submits his face to Allah while doing good and follows the way of Abraham, inclining to truth?”
And the words spoken by Allah’s intimate friend, by our Prophet, and by the believers in prayer:
“I have turned my face towards Him who created the heavens and the earth, inclining to truth, and I am not one of those who associate partners with Allah.”
And the words of Allah Most High in the verse:
“Say, ‘My Lord has commanded justice. Set your faces aright at every place of worship, and call upon Him, devoting your worship sincerely to Him. Just as He brought you into being, so you will return.’”
And His words:
“So set your face towards the religion, inclining to truth—the natural disposition in which Allah created mankind.”
And His words:
“So set your face towards the upright religion.”
And His words:
“And set your face towards the religion, inclining to truth, and never be one of those who associate partners with Allah.”
And the words of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace