A few brief things about the site name and who is behind the site.
What’s a Qaryah ?
Qaryah is an Arabic word which means a town or village. Though smaller than a city, it carries the meaning of an area where a large number of people settle and live together. It comes from an Arabic verb which means to collect or gather, as in the phrase “qaraytul-maa’a fil-hawd,” meaning “I gathered the water in the basin.” The word qaryah is also one of the names of the city of Makkah.
Who’s Behind the Site?
The main contributor to this site is a student, Aboo Shaybah, who is currently studying at Umm al-Qura University in Makkah.
Does the epithet “theQaryah” have any Significance?
Since Qaryah is one of the names of Makkah and the main contributor to the site is also studying in Makkah, putting the two together might make some sense. For those who might be a bit more curious about any other historical significance of the name, the following may prove enlightening.
There are verses in the Qur’aan which use the word qaryah as well as its plural (quraa) when making reference to the city of Makkah. One such instance says “And Allaah gives the similitude of a Qaryah which was secure and peaceful; its provision coming to it in abundance from every place” [Soorah an-Nahl (16):112].
The Qaryah being referred to in this verse is Makkah, which was once a desolate, uninhabitable valley without water or vegetation. However, Allaah made it a place of safety and peace, and blessed its people with provisions. In his tafseer, the great scholar, ibn Katheer, commented on this verse saying, “This example refers to the people of Makkah, which had been secure, peaceful, and stable; a secure sanctuary while men were being snatched away from everywhere outside of it. Whoever entered Makkah, he was safe, and had no need to fear.”
The verse also continues, and when taken together with what follows it, a different scenario is depicted.
And Allaah gives the similitude of a Qaryah which was secure and peaceful; its provision coming to it in abundance from every place. Yet, it denied the blessing of Allaah. So Allaah made it taste extreme hunger and fear because of that which they used to do. There most certainly came to them a Messenger from among themselves, but they denied him, so the torment overtook them while they did wrong. [Soorah an-Nahl (16):112,113]
In explaining the meaning of these verses, ibn Katheer stated
Allaah changed the situation of the disbelievers and made it the opposite of what it had been. Consequently, they lived in fear after having been secure, and they went hungry after having an abundance of provisions. On the other hand, after the believers lived in fear, Allaah granted them security, gave them plentiful provisions after they lived in poverty, and made them rulers, governors, and leaders of mankind. This is what we say about the example that was given of the people of Makkah. It was also the opinion of al-’Awfee, ibn ‘Abbaas, Mujaahid, Qataadah, and ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Zayd ibn Aslam. Malik narrated it from az-Zuhree as well.
Therefore, the reference in the foregoing verses is to the non-muslims of Makkah during the time of the Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) after they had denied him, disbelieved in him, and driven him out of the city. They persecuted, oppressed and tortured the Muslims in Makkah – those who had believed in the pure teachings and message of the Prophet and followed him. The Muslims eventually left the city, emigrating to al-Madeenah, until Allaah granted them victory and they peacefully re-entered Makkah a number of years later, at which point its inhabitants embraced Islaam and accepted the call to worship One God alone, thus restoring the security and peace of that Qaryah.
