ثرب

Core meaning

The reproach addressed to one who has committed a fault; its only use denies it, for to renounce reproach is to forgive. The same letters also give a place name, Yathrib, unrelated in meaning.

Uses

1. تَثْرِيب → "reproach" : the blame one could lay on the guilty, and chooses not to voice.

   • «لَا تَثْرِيبَ عَلَيْكُمُ» — "No reproach upon you" (12:92)

2. يَثْرِب → "Yathrib" : place name: the city whose people a party urges to go home.

   • «يَٰٓأَهْلَ يَثْرِبَ لَا مُقَامَ لَكُمْ فَٱرْجِعُوا۟» — "O people of Yathrib, there is no place for you; return" (33:13)

Evidence from the text

In 12:92, Youssof meets again the brothers who had thrown him into the well. He could crush them; he says "No reproach upon you", and adds at once "today, God forgives you" (12:92). Setting reproach aside is the very act of clemency, and God's forgiveness extends it.

The place name of 33:13 borrows nothing from this sense: the translation transcribes it.

Distinctions

• لوم — blame: the reproach one addresses or incurs, whereas تَثْرِيب appears only to be set aside

See also

غفر (forgiveness)