Agronomic Treatises of the Medieval Muslims (10th century – 12th century A.D.)

Abstract

Before discussing the Islamic history of filāḥa, one should know the literal and technical meanings of this word. The word filāḥa has been derived from the root words fā, lā and ḥa. Ibn Manẓūr mentions the literal meaning of the word as follows:

“Al-Falaḥ and al-Falāḥ: Prosperity or success; safety or security; and continuance or permanence in a good or prosperous state and in the enjoyment of ease, comfort, or the blessings of life and continuance of good. It is stated in the ḥadīth of Abī Daḥdāh: Bashsharaka Allāhu bi Khayrin wa Falaḥin i.e. May Allah give you the glad tidings of prosperity and continuance of the blessings of life.”

“Another meaning of al-Falaḥ is to cleave, split or cut. Falaḥa al-Shay’a: He split it apart. The poet said: “Indeed your horse knew that I am al-Sahsah, and verily the iron is cut with the iron.”