خيط

Core meaning

Thread: the thin, continuous line that at dawn separates light from dark, and that the needle draws through.

Uses

1. ٱلْخَيْط → "the thread" : the first line of light against the darkness, which marks the end of the night.

   • «حَتَّىٰ يَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمُ ٱلْخَيْطُ ٱلْأَبْيَضُ مِنَ ٱلْخَيْطِ ٱلْأَسْوَدِ مِنَ ٱلْفَجْرِ» — "until the white thread becomes distinguishable to you from the black thread of dawn" (2:187)

2. ٱلْخِيَاط → "the needle" : the instrument of the thread, whose eye is the narrowest of passages.

   • «حَتَّىٰ يَلِجَ ٱلْجَمَلُ فِى سَمِّ ٱلْخِيَاطِ» — "until the camel passes through the eye of the needle" (7:40)

Evidence from the text

In 2:187 the two threads are distinguished from each other: the boundary between night and day is seen as a line, white against black, which fixes the hour when eating and drinking cease. In 7:40, ٱلْخِيَاط is the needle, and سَمّ its eye: the camel will not pass through it, and those who denied the signs will not enter the Garden. In both cases the word keeps the fineness of the thread: a line barely visible, a passage barely open.

See also

فجر (the dawn)