Nadhr
/ˈnɑːðr/noun
An Islamic vow to dedicate an act, offering, or sacrifice to God, often made conditionally.
Did you know?In Islamic legal tradition, a nadhr could become religiously binding once its stated condition was fulfilled, turning words into an obligation.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Semitic
Proto-Semitic
*n-dh-r
“A root associated with warning, solemn declaration, or dedicating something by vow”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
نَذْر (nadhr)
“A vow or consecrated offering made to God”
7th Century
Qur’anic Arabic
نَذْر (nadhr)
“A vowed religious act or offering, mentioned in Islamic scripture”
Medieval Islamic law
Arabic
نَذْر
“A formally binding religious vow, especially one conditional on an event”
20th Century
English
nadhr
“A loanword used in English-language writing on Islam for a religious vow or offering”