Luck is an intangible force, a universal concept that exists around the world.
This week’s Arabic word of the week is hath, a word that simply means luck. Unlike other Arabic words it’s not an overcomplicated term with several meanings. Despite the elusive concept of luck, it is rather straightforward as Arabic words go.
Hath is a noun made up of the two Arabic letters, haa and thaa. It’s derived from the verb hatha, which means a person whose luck is getting better. There are two plurals for hath, houthouth and ahthin, which are both used depending on the grammatical context.
The concept of hath in Arabic is similar to the way luck is defined in the western world, a force that can bring good or bad fortune as a result of complete chance or fate.
Officially in Arabic, hath is defined as naseeb, the Arabic word for destiny. Naseeb has its definition more rooted in the idea of a predetermined future or fate, which is believed to be influenced by a higher power or force. Interestingly, while naseeb is the belief that everything happens according to a higher purpose, hath is more connected to chance.
All other meanings of hath are linked to luck in various ways. For example, trying something at random or having no knowledge in a subject but seeing if you find success in it, is one of the definitions of hath.
Hath can also mean, and is connected to concepts of, chance, success or good fortune. However, hath is not only connected to good luck.
Sou’u al hath is a phrase which means that luck wasn’t on someone’s side and housn al hath or as'afahou is considered a positive coincidence where matters worked out in spite of the odds, while tharbat al hath means a surprising stroke of luck.
From the word hath we have the word mahthouth, which refers to someone who is lucky. There is also the verb hathiya which refers to someone in the act of getting very lucky or someone who is favoured.
This can refer to being favoured by people, gaining their love or respect, or favoured by fate, meaning experiencing continuous luck in life. Houthwa is also a word derived from the word hath which refers to someone who has a high status in society or is known for their good reputation.
While many cultures in the West have symbols that represent or attract good luck, such as the four-leaf clover, a rabbit’s foot, or a horseshoe, the Arab world instead has symbols to ward off bad luck, such as the evil eye.
The 1945 film Al Hath Al Saeed (The Good Luck) directed by Fouad El Gazairely and starring legendary actors Hussein Sidqi and Nagat Ali takes the theme of good luck and fortune into its storyline.
The film follows the character Saeed, who wants to marry Somaya but must face challenges and depend on luck to get the girl of his dreams.
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
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Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Tesalam Aleik
Abdullah Al Ruwaished
(Rotana)
How to improve Arabic reading in early years
One 45-minute class per week in Standard Arabic is not sufficient
The goal should be for grade 1 and 2 students to become fluent readers
Subjects like technology, social studies, science can be taught in later grades
Grade 1 curricula should include oral instruction in Standard Arabic
First graders must regularly practice individual letters and combinations
Time should be slotted in class to read longer passages in early grades
Improve the appearance of textbooks
Revision of curriculum should be undertaken as per research findings
Conjugations of most common verb forms should be taught
Systematic learning of Standard Arabic grammar
Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015
- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany
- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people
- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed
- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest
- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specS: 2018 Toyota Camry
Price: base / as tested: Dh91,000 / Dh114,000
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 298hp @ 6,600rpm
Torque: 356Nm @ 4,700rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
The squad traveling to Brazil:
Faisal Al Ketbi, Ibrahim Al Hosani, Khalfan Humaid Balhol, Khalifa Saeed Al Suwaidi, Mubarak Basharhil, Obaid Salem Al Nuaimi, Saeed Juma Al Mazrouei, Saoud Abdulla Al Hammadi, Taleb Al Kirbi, Yahia Mansour Al Hammadi, Zayed Al Kaabi, Zayed Saif Al Mansoori, Saaid Haj Hamdou, Hamad Saeed Al Nuaimi. Coaches Roberto Lima and Alex Paz.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Turkish Ladies
Various artists, Sony Music Turkey
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
