Nazaafah translates to cleanliness in English
Nazaafah translates to cleanliness in English
Nazaafah translates to cleanliness in English
Nazaafah translates to cleanliness in English

'Nazaafah': Arabic for cleanliness has connotations of morality, faith and clarity


Razmig Bedirian
  • English
  • Arabic

Al nazaafah hadaara, al nazaafah thaqaafa, al nazaafah min al imaan.

“Cleanliness is civilisation, cleanliness is culture, cleanliness comes from faith,” Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, said on Twitter in March.

The Ruler was tweeting in celebration of Dubai being named the cleanest city in the world, according to the Global Power City Index.

Ramadan also provides an opportune moment to explore nazaafah , the Arabic word for cleanliness, and its wider connotations of morality, faith and clarity.

Al nazaafah min al imaan, cleanliness comes from faith, is a common expression across the Arab world. This cleanliness is also proverbial, extending to the heart and mind.

Natheef min al khaarej wa min al daakhel is an expression that implies someone’s proper appearance extends within. Wasaakha, dirtiness, is one antonym of nazaafah.

Dameer natheef is a clean conscience. Shakhs natheef is a clean person. Bayt natheef is a clean house. Madrasa natheefa is a clean school.

Yad natheefa, or a clean hand, is an expression that, much like its English counterpart, implies a person had no part in a wrongdoing. Taqreer natheef is a clean record. Al beeah al natheefa is a clean environment. Haara natheefa is a clean neighbourhood. Sharikat tantheef is a cleaning company.

Some common sayings that touch upon cleanliness, include:

Inna Allaha natheefon yuhibbu al nazaafah, which means, “God is clean and loves cleanliness”.

Al nazaafah nisf al ghina, “Cleanliness is half of wealth”.

Lisaanuhu/lisaanuha natheef, “His/her tongue is clean”.

Al nazaafah daleel ala thaqaafet shuoob, “Cleanliness is proof of a nation’s culture”.

Scroll through the gallery below to see The National's pick of Arabic words of the week

  • Hob is the Arabic word for love, but can be used in many contexts
    Hob is the Arabic word for love, but can be used in many contexts
  • The Arabic word helu translates, in English, to sweet
    The Arabic word helu translates, in English, to sweet
  • Nashef is the Arabic word for dry, but has many connotations, depending on the context in which you use it
    Nashef is the Arabic word for dry, but has many connotations, depending on the context in which you use it
  • The Arabic word hurriyeh translates to freedom in English
    The Arabic word hurriyeh translates to freedom in English
  • The Arabic word tayeb can mean delicious or good, depending on the context
    The Arabic word tayeb can mean delicious or good, depending on the context
  • The Arabic word mustaqbal is best expressed as future in English
    The Arabic word mustaqbal is best expressed as future in English
  • Waqaa, the Arabic word for fall, can signify a loss of power, stature, health or grace
    Waqaa, the Arabic word for fall, can signify a loss of power, stature, health or grace
  • Hudood means borders in English
    Hudood means borders in English
  • The Arabic word rooh translates to spirit or soul in English
    The Arabic word rooh translates to spirit or soul in English
  • The Arabic word ain means eye in English
    The Arabic word ain means eye in English
  • Waraq, the Arabic word of the week means paper in English
    Waraq, the Arabic word of the week means paper in English
  • Bahr, the Arabic for sea, has a poetic lilt
    Bahr, the Arabic for sea, has a poetic lilt
  • Kareem means generous in English
    Kareem means generous in English
  • Bab means door in English
    Bab means door in English
  • Eid means holiday or festival
    Eid means holiday or festival
  • Najm means star for the night sky and cosmos, but also has plenty of other meanings, including ambition or fame
    Najm means star for the night sky and cosmos, but also has plenty of other meanings, including ambition or fame
  • Alwan, the Arabic word for colours, has many shades of meaning
    Alwan, the Arabic word for colours, has many shades of meaning
  • Akel can refer to home-cooked meals, embezzlement, fire and rust
    Akel can refer to home-cooked meals, embezzlement, fire and rust
  • Jamal is the Arabic word for beauty, be it literal or figurative
    Jamal is the Arabic word for beauty, be it literal or figurative
  • Herfe translates to profession or craft
    Herfe translates to profession or craft
  • Tabiaa translates to nature and can frame landscapes and portraits
    Tabiaa translates to nature and can frame landscapes and portraits
  • Sehha is the Arabic word for health
    Sehha is the Arabic word for health
  • Ijaza is Arabic for holiday and shines in summer but is not stress-free
    Ijaza is Arabic for holiday and shines in summer but is not stress-free
  • Aamal is the Arabic word for work
    Aamal is the Arabic word for work
  • Al dahr translates to time
    Al dahr translates to time
  • Qalb is a word for heart, with poetic roots
    Qalb is a word for heart, with poetic roots
  • Lugha in Arabic translates to language in English
    Lugha in Arabic translates to language in English
  • Insaan means human being
    Insaan means human being
  • Na'eeman is an idiomatic expression used when someone has had a shower or bath, a haircut or had their beard trimmed
    Na'eeman is an idiomatic expression used when someone has had a shower or bath, a haircut or had their beard trimmed
  • The Arabic word for life touches on eternity, death and accomplishment
    The Arabic word for life touches on eternity, death and accomplishment
  • Qamar is the Arabic for moon
    Qamar is the Arabic for moon
  • The Arabic word for strength or power is quwwa
    The Arabic word for strength or power is quwwa
  • Burj is Arabic for tower
    Burj is Arabic for tower
  • The Arabic word for sun is shams
    The Arabic word for sun is shams
  • Sabr in English can translate to patience
    Sabr in English can translate to patience
  • Hayba is the Arabic word for prestige
    Hayba is the Arabic word for prestige
  • The Arabic term al shay'e translates as 'the thing' in English
    The Arabic term al shay'e translates as 'the thing' in English
  • The Arabic word for road is tareeq
    The Arabic word for road is tareeq
  • The Arabic word for read has mystical and scholarly connotations
    The Arabic word for read has mystical and scholarly connotations
  • Istikan is the Arabic word for a type of tea cup
    Istikan is the Arabic word for a type of tea cup
  • The Arabic word hanan means affection in English
    The Arabic word hanan means affection in English
  • The Arabic word atlal means ruins in English
    The Arabic word atlal means ruins in English
  • Kura is the Arabic word for ball, in all its forms
    Kura is the Arabic word for ball, in all its forms
  • Janaah in Arabic means wing in English
    Janaah in Arabic means wing in English
  • The Arabic word sana translates to year in English
    The Arabic word sana translates to year in English
  • Qasida is the Arabic for poem, not poetry
    Qasida is the Arabic for poem, not poetry
  • Ameer, the Arabic word for prince, which influenced another English title
    Ameer, the Arabic word for prince, which influenced another English title
  • Nakhla translates to palm tree in English
    Nakhla translates to palm tree in English
  • Al samt is the Arabic for silence
    Al samt is the Arabic for silence
  • Kalimaat translates to words in English
    Kalimaat translates to words in English
  • Markaz is Arabic for centre
    Markaz is Arabic for centre
  • Beshara is the Arabic word for good news
    Beshara is the Arabic word for good news
  • Bayt is the Arabic for house or home
    Bayt is the Arabic for house or home
  • Fann is the Arabic word for art, and can be either a verb or an adjective
    Fann is the Arabic word for art, and can be either a verb or an adjective
  • Isim, which means name, is made up of three letters, alif, seen and meem
    Isim, which means name, is made up of three letters, alif, seen and meem
  • Dunya is the Arabic word for world
    Dunya is the Arabic word for world
  • Nazaafah translates to cleanliness in English
    Nazaafah translates to cleanliness in English
  • Many traditions revolve around drinking coffee, including weddings, funerals and business meetings
    Many traditions revolve around drinking coffee, including weddings, funerals and business meetings
  • Fajr is the Arabic word for dawn
    Fajr is the Arabic word for dawn
  • Maghrib is the Arabic word for sunset
    Maghrib is the Arabic word for sunset
  • The Arabic language is filled with idioms, quotes and colloquial quips involving the mirror
    The Arabic language is filled with idioms, quotes and colloquial quips involving the mirror
  • Raei is the Arabic word for opinion
    Raei is the Arabic word for opinion
  • Wa'ed is a multifaceted word for 'promise', as well as a female name
    Wa'ed is a multifaceted word for 'promise', as well as a female name
  • Qussa is the Arabic word for story
    Qussa is the Arabic word for story
  • Sadaaka is the Arabic word for friendship
    Sadaaka is the Arabic word for friendship
  • Akhbaar is the Arabic word for news
    Akhbaar is the Arabic word for news
  • Rasem is made up of the three Arabic letters Rah, Seen and Meem. While it can simply mean a drawing or a sketch it’s also a malleable word whose definition can change depending on context and dialect – particularly between colloquial and classical Arabic.
    Rasem is made up of the three Arabic letters Rah, Seen and Meem. While it can simply mean a drawing or a sketch it’s also a malleable word whose definition can change depending on context and dialect – particularly between colloquial and classical Arabic.
  • As well as finishing a task, khatem denotes a deeper sense of finality
    As well as finishing a task, khatem denotes a deeper sense of finality
  • Commonly translated to blessed, mubarak is used as a popular greeting on auspicious days
    Commonly translated to blessed, mubarak is used as a popular greeting on auspicious days
  • The Arabic word for lighthouse is also a term that has become closely associated with Islam
    The Arabic word for lighthouse is also a term that has become closely associated with Islam
  • Siyaam, the Arabic word for fasting is also connected to silence
    Siyaam, the Arabic word for fasting is also connected to silence
  • Tawbah, the Arabic word for repentance, is also connected to Ramadan
    Tawbah, the Arabic word for repentance, is also connected to Ramadan
  • Safar, the Arabic Word for travel can also refer to sunny days, a brighter-blazing fire or exile. The National
    Safar, the Arabic Word for travel can also refer to sunny days, a brighter-blazing fire or exile. The National
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Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors

Power: Combined output 920hp

Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km

On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

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Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo

Power: 178hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 280Nm at 1,350-4,200rpm

Transmission: seven-speed dual-clutch auto

Price: from Dh209,000 

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Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994

Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers

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Women's third round

  • 14-Garbine Muguruza Blanco (Spain) beat Sorana Cirstea (Romania) 6-2, 6-2
  • Magdalena Rybarikova (Slovakia) beat Lesia Tsurenko (Ukraine) 6-2, 6-1
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Men's third round

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Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.

Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.

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Company%C2%A0profile
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Company name: Entrupy 

Co-founders: Vidyuth Srinivasan, co-founder/chief executive, Ashlesh Sharma, co-founder/chief technology officer, Lakshmi Subramanian, co-founder/chief scientist

Based: New York, New York

Sector/About: Entrupy is a hardware-enabled SaaS company whose mission is to protect businesses, borders and consumers from transactions involving counterfeit goods.  

Initial investment/Investors: Entrupy secured a $2.6m Series A funding round in 2017. The round was led by Tokyo-based Digital Garage and Daiwa Securities Group's jointly established venture arm, DG Lab Fund I Investment Limited Partnership, along with Zach Coelius. 

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Sand storm

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  • Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
  • Travel distance: Limited 
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  • Duration: Can linger for days
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 May 15 2020: PM and Carrie attend 'work meeting' with at
least 17 staff members

May 20 2020: PM and Carrie attend 'bring your own booze'
party

Nov 27 2020: PM gives speech at leaving do for his staff

Dec 10 2020: Staff party held by then-education secretary
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Dec 13 2020: PM and Carrie throw a flat party

Dec 14 2020: London mayor candidate Shaun Bailey holds staff party at Conservative
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Dec 15 2020: PM takes part in a staff quiz

Dec 18 2020: Downing Street Christmas party

Company profile

Date started: 2015

Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki

Based: Dubai

Sector: Online grocery delivery

Staff: 200

Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Akeed

Based: Muscat

Launch year: 2018

Number of employees: 40

Sector: Online food delivery

Funding: Raised $3.2m since inception 

The specs

Engine: 1.5-litre turbo

Power: 181hp

Torque: 230Nm

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Starting price: Dh79,000

On sale: Now

Engine: 80 kWh four-wheel-drive

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Power: 402bhp

Torque: 760Nm

Price: From Dh280,000

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MATCH DETAILS

Juventus 2 (Bonucci 36, Ronaldo 90 6)

Genoa 1 (Kouame 40)

Updated: March 25, 2023, 8:50 AM