صغو

Core meaning

To incline out of the axis: the centre of awareness that lets itself bend toward what draws it, and leaves uprightness.

Uses

1. تَصْغَىٰ → "to bend toward" : to let oneself be won over by a deceiving word.

   • «وَلِتَصْغَىٰٓ إِلَيْهِ أَفْـِٔدَةُ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْءَاخِرَةِ» (6:113)

2. صَغَتْ → "to bend" : a deviation already accomplished, which turning back to God can set right.

   • «فَقَدْ صَغَتْ قُلُوبُكُمَا» (66:4)

Evidence from the text

The two occurrences name the same movement of inclination, at two moments. In 6:113, it is the aim of the embellished speech that the adversaries of the messengers whisper to one another: that the Consciences may incline to it, be satisfied with it, and commit what they are to commit. In 66:4, it is already accomplished in the cores of the two wives, and the sentence opens on the turning back that sets it right: "If you two turn back to God" (66:4). The inclination is never neutral: it leaves the upright axis.

Distinctions

• زيغ — the deviation that leads astray: the swerve from the straight line that loses the way, whereas صغو names the inclination toward what attracts
• ميل — to lean to one side rather than the other, between two parties, whereas صغو names the attraction of the centre itself

See also

فئد (the Conscience)