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Innocent
#11
بريء (barīʾ) is an Arabic adjective meaning 'innocent' or 'free from blame.' It is commonly used in legal, religious, and everyday contexts to describe someone who is not guilty of a charge or is absolved of responsibility. The word can also mean 'free from' or 'untainted by' in a more general sense.
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الرجل بريء من التهمة.
Al-rajul barīʾ min al-tuhma.
The man is innocent of the charge.
هي بريئة من كل ذنب.
Hiya barīʾa min kull dhanb.
She is innocent of every sin.
أعلنت المحكمة أنه بريء.
Aʿlanat al-mahkama annahu barīʾ.
The court declared him innocent.
هذا الطفل بريء وطاهر النية.
Hadha al-tifl barīʾ wa-tahir al-niya.
This child is innocent and pure-hearted.
بريء من المال الحرام.
Barīʾ min al-mal al-haram.
Free from unlawful money.
In Islamic and Arab legal traditions, the concept of innocence (براءة - barāʾa) is deeply embedded in religious and judicial philosophy. The presumption of innocence is a fundamental principle in Islamic law, where the burden of proof lies with the accuser. This word carries significant weight in formal legal proceedings, religious discourse, and discussions of morality within Arab society.
Remember that بريء is an adjective that agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies—use بريء for masculine singular, بريئة for feminine singular, بريئون for masculine plural, and بريئات for feminine plural. The word is often followed by the preposition 'من' (min, meaning 'from') to indicate what someone is innocent of. In formal contexts, it appears frequently in legal and religious texts.
The Arabic word بريء (barīʾ) is an adjective that translates to 'innocent' or 'guiltless' in English. It describes someone who is free from blame, guilt, or accusation. The word can also convey the sense of being 'free from' or 'untainted by' something negative. In modern Standard Arabic, this word is essential for discussing legal matters, moral responsibility, and personal integrity.
As an adjective, بريء follows standard Arabic gender and number agreements:
When used in sentences, it typically requires the preposition من (min, 'from') to indicate what someone is innocent of. For example: "بريء من التهمة" (barīʾ min al-tuhma) means "innocent of the charge."
In Arabic legal terminology and court proceedings, بريء holds tremendous importance. The phrase "بريء حتى تثبت إدانته" (barīʾ hatta tuthbit idānatu-hu) translates the fundamental legal principle: "Innocent until proven guilty." This concept is central to Islamic law (Sharia) and modern Arab legal systems, reflecting a core principle that protects individuals from unjust accusation and requires solid evidence for conviction.
Courts throughout the Arab world regularly issue declarations of innocence for acquitted defendants, formally stating that the accused is بريء من كل التهم (barīʾ min kull al-tuhum) - innocent of all charges.
Beyond legal contexts, بريء carries spiritual and moral significance in Islamic tradition. The Quran frequently emphasizes the importance of innocence and purity. When describing someone as بريء in a religious context, it often implies not just freedom from accusation but also spiritual purity and moral integrity. Phrases like "بريء من الذنب" (barīʾ min al-dhanb) mean "innocent of sin," reflecting Islamic emphasis on maintaining ritual and moral cleanliness.
The noun form is براءة (barāʾa), meaning 'innocence.' A براءة ذمة (barāʾat dhimma) is an official certificate or document declaring someone's innocence or releasing them from responsibility. The verb برّأ (barrāʾa) means 'to acquit' or 'to clear,' which is the causative form derived from the same root.
In everyday conversation, Arabs might use بريء to express confidence in someone's character: "أنا متأكد أنه بريء" (anā muta-akkid annahu barīʾ) - "I am sure he is innocent." In media and news reporting, especially regarding crime or corruption cases, you'll frequently encounter statements like "أعلنت النيابة أنه بريء" (aʿlanat al-niyāba annahu barīʾ) - "The prosecution declared him innocent."
English speakers learning Arabic should pay special attention to the gender and number agreement of بريء, as English adjectives don't change form. Additionally, understanding the importance of the preposition من in phrases like "بريء من" is crucial for proper usage. When encountering this word in news articles, legal documents, or Islamic texts, note the context to better understand its specific meaning and connotations in each situation.
The word بريء is indispensable for anyone seeking to understand Arabic legal discourse, religious texts, and contemporary Middle Eastern media. Its usage reflects fundamental values in Arab and Islamic culture regarding justice, accountability, and human dignity.