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sāmaḥa
to forgive
سامح (sāmaḥa) is a verb meaning 'to forgive' or 'to pardon.' It expresses the act of releasing someone from blame or resentment for a wrongdoing. This word carries both religious and secular significance in Arabic culture, often used in contexts of interpersonal reconciliation and moral virtue.
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سامحني على ما فعلت.
Sāmaḥnī ʿalā mā faʿalt.
Forgive me for what I did.
هل تستطيع أن تسامحه على أخطائه؟
Hal tastaṭīʿ an tasāmaḥahu ʿalā akhṭāʾihi?
Can you forgive him for his mistakes?
سامحت والدتي لأنني أحبها كثيراً.
Sāmaḥt wālidatī li-annani uḥibbuhā kathīran.
I forgave my mother because I love her very much.
لا يمكنني أن أسامح مثل هذا السلوك السيء.
Lā yumkinni an asāmaḥ mithl hādhā al-sulūk al-sayyiʾ.
I cannot forgive such bad behavior.
المسلمون يسامحون بعضهم البعض في عيد الفطر.
Al-muslimūn yasāmaḥūn baʿḍahum al-baʿḍ fī ʿīd al-fiṭr.
Muslims forgive one another on Eid al-Fitr.
In Islamic tradition, forgiveness (سماح/سامح) is highly valued as a moral and spiritual virtue, with references throughout the Quran and Hadith. During Islamic holidays, particularly Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, seeking and granting forgiveness is a central cultural practice among family and community members. The concept extends beyond individual relationships to encompass broader social harmony and reconciliation.
Remember that سامح is a transitive verb, typically requiring a direct object (the person being forgiven) and often preceded by the preposition على (ʿalā, 'for/about') to indicate the offense being forgiven. The verb can be used reflexively in the form تسامح (tasāmaḥa) meaning 'to forgive one another.' Be aware of the grammatical person and tense when conjugating, as patterns change between past, present, and future forms.
The Arabic verb سامح (sāmaḥa) is a fundamental word in Arabic that means 'to forgive' or 'to pardon.' It is widely used in both formal and informal contexts across Arabic-speaking countries, and carries significant cultural and religious weight in Islamic societies.
سامح is a triliteral verb derived from the root س-م-ح (s-m-ḥ), which relates to ease, facilitation, and generosity. When used to mean 'to forgive,' it conveys the action of releasing someone from blame, resentment, or punishment for a wrongdoing. The word can be used in both literal and metaphorical contexts, ranging from forgiving minor personal offenses to pardoning serious transgressions.
As a regular verb, سامح follows standard Arabic conjugation patterns:
The verb is transitive, requiring a direct object (usually a person) and often takes the preposition على (ʿalā) to introduce the offense being forgiven. For example: سامحني على ما فعلت (forgive me for what I did).
In Islamic tradition, forgiveness holds a place of paramount importance. The Quran frequently emphasizes the virtue of forgiveness, with numerous verses praising those who forgive others. One of the most significant occasions for practicing forgiveness in Islamic culture is Eid al-Fitr, the festival marking the end of Ramadan, when Muslims traditionally seek forgiveness from family members, friends, and colleagues. The greeting during this time often includes asking for and granting forgiveness.
Beyond religious contexts, سامح represents a fundamental value in Arab social culture, emphasizing reconciliation, dignity, and the maintenance of relationships. Forgiving someone is often seen as a sign of strength and moral character rather than weakness.
Several related words enhance understanding of forgiveness in Arabic:
In everyday conversation, you might hear:
While several Arabic verbs relate to forgiveness, they carry subtle differences:
English speakers learning Arabic should remember that سامح is inherently transitive and requires careful attention to object pronouns. The reflexive form تسامح (tasāmaḥa) means 'to forgive one another' and is commonly used when discussing mutual forgiveness. Additionally, understanding the prepositions that follow this verb—particularly على (for/about) and في (in/regarding)—is essential for correct usage.
The verb conjugates regularly but shows vowel variations in different tenses, so learners should practice both past and present forms. In contemporary spoken Arabic, you'll often hear shortened or colloquial versions depending on the dialect, so exposure to various regional uses is beneficial.
سامح represents one of the most important values in Arabic-speaking societies and Islamic culture. Its use extends from personal relationships to broader social and religious contexts, making it an essential word for anyone seeking to understand and communicate authentically in Arabic.