شهد
shahida
To bear witness in Arabic is شهد (shahida).
The verb is used to describe the act of delivering testimony. You can use the related noun شهادة (shahāda) to refer to the testimony itself or a certificate.
Meaning: to deliver testimony (verb)
How do you pronounce it?
shahida
Did you know?
- Some etymologists suggest the word could be related to the mucus that covers a newborn, linking the concept of witnessing to the physical act of birth and presence at the moment of arrival.
- The noun شهادة (shahāda) is also used to mean 'martyrdom' or the status of a martyr. This connects the act of bearing witness to the act of dying for one's beliefs.
- The word شهادة (shahāda) is not just a legal testimony, but also refers to the fundamental Islamic declaration of faith. This transforms a common noun for a certificate into a profound spiritual cornerstone.
Examples in context
- شهد الرجل بالحقThe man bore witness to the truth.
- شهد الشاهد بالحق أمام القاضي.Shahida al-shahidu bil-haqqi amama al-qadi.The witness testified to the truth before the judge.
- لقد شهدتُ على الحادثة.Laqad shahidtu 'ala al-haditha.I witnessed the accident.
- هل شهدتَ على العقد؟Hal shahidta 'ala al-'aqd?Did you witness the contract?
Example conversation
Sara and Omar are discussing a legal matter at home.
- سارة Saraهل شهدتَ على العقد يا عمر؟Hal shahidta 'ala al-'aqd ya Omar?Did you witness the contract, Omar?
- عمر Omarنعم، لقد شهدتُ على كل شيء.Na'am, laqad shahidtu 'ala kulli shay'.Yes, I witnessed everything.
- سارة Saraهذا جيد، نحتاج لهذا في المحكمة.Hadha jayyid, nahtaju lihadha fil-mahkama.That is good, we need this in court.
- عمر Omarسأكون مستعداً للشهادة غداً.Sa-akunu musta'idan lil-shahada ghadan.I will be ready to testify tomorrow.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries شهد, CC BY-SA 4.0.
