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Treasury
الخزانة (al-khazānah) is an Arabic noun meaning 'treasury' or 'warehouse.' It refers to a place where money, valuables, or goods are stored and managed, often in an official or governmental context. The word can also mean a cabinet or cupboard used for storage in everyday contexts.
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أودعت الحكومة أموالاً ضخمة في الخزانة الوطنية.
Awda'at al-hukūmah amwālan daḫīmah fī al-khazānah al-waṭaniyyah.
The government deposited large sums of money in the national treasury.
الخزانة العامة مسؤولة عن إدارة ميزانية الدولة.
Al-khazānah al-'āmmah mas'ūlah 'an idārat mīzāniyyat al-dawlah.
The public treasury is responsible for managing the state budget.
حفظت الجواهر النفيسة في خزانة محمية بقفل قوي.
Ḥafaẓat al-jawāhir al-nafīsah fī khazānah muḥamiyyah bi-qafl qawī.
She kept the precious jewels in a cabinet protected by a strong lock.
استنزفت الحروب موارد الخزانة السلطانية.
Istanzafat al-ḥurūb mawārid al-khazānah al-sulṭāniyyah.
Wars depleted the resources of the sultanate's treasury.
تعاني خزانة الدولة من عجز مالي كبير.
Ta'ānī khazānah al-dawlah min 'ajz māl kābīr.
The state treasury suffers from a significant financial deficit.
In Islamic history, 'بيت المال' (bayt al-māl) and 'الخزانة' (al-khazānah) were essential institutions in managing state revenues and religious endowments (waqf). The concept reflects the Islamic principle of proper stewardship of communal wealth. In modern Arab countries, the treasury remains a critical governmental institution responsible for fiscal policy and national financial management.
Use الخزانة when referring to governmental or institutional storage of money and valuables, particularly in formal or historical contexts. In everyday speech, it can also mean a simple storage cabinet or cupboard. Remember that 'خزانة الدولة' (state treasury) and 'الخزانة العامة' (public treasury) are common fixed phrases. Note that the word takes the feminine grammatical form, though it may refer to institutions of any scale.
The Arabic word الخزانة (al-khazānah) translates to 'treasury' in English. It is a feminine noun that refers to a place, institution, or storage facility where money, valuables, important documents, or goods are kept and managed. The word is derived from the root خ-ز-ن (kh-z-n), which carries the fundamental meaning of 'to store' or 'to keep safe.'
In Islamic history and traditional Arab governance, الخزانة (al-khazānah) held immense significance as a state institution. It served as the central repository for tax revenues, tribute payments, and communal funds. The concept is closely related to 'بيت المال' (bayt al-māl), which literally means 'house of money' and was the Islamic treasury system responsible for collecting and distributing state resources according to Islamic principles.
During the Ottoman and other Islamic dynasties, the treasury maintained records of all financial transactions, managed military payrolls, and funded public works. The treasury was often guarded by trusted officials and sometimes placed under the direct supervision of the sultan or caliph.
In contemporary Arabic, الخزانة continues to be used in governmental and institutional contexts. You will encounter phrases such as:
These terms are common in news reports, government documents, and discussions about national finances and fiscal policy in Arab countries.
Beyond its political and financial meaning, الخزانة can also refer to ordinary storage furniture such as cabinets, cupboards, or chests used in domestic settings. In this context, it describes any enclosed storage container designed to hold and protect items. For example, you might say 'خزانة الملابس' (khazānah al-malābis) to mean a wardrobe or clothing cabinet.
As a feminine noun in Arabic, الخزانة takes feminine agreements in sentences. For example:
When forming the plural, the word becomes 'خزائن' (khazā'in), which appears frequently in classical Arabic texts and historical accounts.
Understanding الخزانة requires familiarity with related financial and administrative vocabulary:
The concept of الخزانة reflects core Islamic principles of justice and proper stewardship. In Islamic jurisprudence, the treasury is considered a trust held on behalf of the Muslim community, and its resources must be used for legitimate purposes such as defense, infrastructure, and welfare. This ethical framework has influenced how Arab and Muslim-majority nations approach fiscal governance.
To master the use of الخزانة, practice it within political and economic contexts. Read news articles about government budgets and financial policies in Arabic media to see how the word appears naturally. Try forming sentences with government titles like 'وزير الخزانة' and financial institutions. Remember that understanding the historical context of this word will deepen your appreciation of how Islamic and Arab societies have organized their financial systems.