Why did the word "فومها" (fūmihā) appear in verse 61 of Surat al-Baqarah, while the commonly used word in the Arabic language is "ثومها" (thūmihā)?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
The exegetes differed regarding the meaning of "fum" in the verse. Some interpreted it as garlic, and Ibn Mas'ud recited it with the letter "tha" (ث). Mujahid, Al-Rabi' ibn Anas, Sa'id ibn Jubayr, and a narration from Al- via Ibn Abbas also interpreted it as such. Ibn Jarir al-Tabari held the view that replacing "fa" (ف) with "tha" (ث) and "tha" (ث) with "fa" (ف) is permissible due to the proximity of their points of articulation. Others interpreted it as bread, or wheat, or grain. Arabs use both "thum" and "fum," but the general term that prevailed is "thum" with the three-dotted "tha."
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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