Maddah
/məˈdɑː/noun
A performer who recites or sings religious praise poetry, especially in Islamic devotional traditions.
Did you know?The term comes from the same Arabic praise-root found in names such as Muhammad, Ahmad, Hamid, and Mahmoud.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Semitic
Proto-Semitic
*ḥ-m-d
“A root associated with praise, commendation, and being worthy of praise”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
madiḥ / madaḥa
“Praise; to praise or commend”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
maddāḥ
“A person who praises, especially one who praises religious figures”
Medieval Persian
Persian
maddāḥ
“A devotional reciter or singer of praise poetry”
20th Century
English
maddah
“A religious performer or reciter, particularly in descriptions of Islamic devotional practice”
Modern English
English
maddah
“A performer who sings or recites religious praise poetry”