For those outside pesantren, this sentence would seem very absurd. But for us, santri, it’s very familiar, and we learn a lot from this sentence’s structure in Arabic language. If read correctly, the sentence goes, “man manna min munnin mannallahu min munnihi munnan,” (whoever helps with one help, then Allah will help him from that help with one help). Or in free translation, “Allah will help those who help others.”
رجل رجل رجل رجل
The alternative meaning of this sentence is “a leg stepping on legs,” which has no meaning at all. Or “men men men men,” also wouldn’t be understood by anyone.
However, for a santri who already understands the rules of Arabic grammar (nahu sarf), this sentence will be translated as “a man stepping on another man’s foot.”
How come? Well, because a student should be familiar with the quirky terms in the science of grammar.
These are some Arabic sentences that are often discussed in the science of Arabic grammar. Of course, there are many other sentences that contain quirkiness and make us more enthusiastic about learning. It’s not an exaggeration to say that these sentences also have a strong impact on our memory to understand Arabic grammar as a fundamental part of understanding the rules of the Arabic language.
Terima kasih Mas Kiai Mukhlisin, sudah mengalihbahasakan naskah saya ini, in to English,,,