NINEVEH

Arabic Nīnawā ( نينوى‎ ). Heb. ‏נִינְוֵה‎ . Not mentioned by name in the Qurʾān, but according to al-Baiẓāwī it is the city of “a hundred you sand persons, or even more,” to whom Jonah was sent. See Qurʾān, Sūrah xxxvii. 147 . AN -NISĀ ( النساء‎ ). “Women.” The title of the IV th Sūrah of the Qurʾān, in the first verse of which the word occurs, and which treats to a great extent the subject of women. NIṢĀB ( نصاب‎ ). An estate or property for which zakāt , or legal alms, must be paid. [ ZAKAT .] NĪYAH ( نية‎ ). A vow; intention; purpose. A term used for the vow or declaration of the intention to perform prayers. ‘I have purposed to offer up to God only with a sincere heart this morning (or, as the case may be), with my face Qiblah-wards two (or, as the case may be) rakʿah prayers farẓ ( sunnah , nafl , or witr ).’ It is also used by a Muslim about to perform the pilgrimage or the month’s fast. The formula is nece ary to render an act of devotion acceptable. [ PRAYER .] NIYĀZ-I-ALLĀH ( نياز الله‎ ). A Persian term for offerings in the name of God. NIYĀZ-I-RASŪL ( نياز رسول‎ ). A Persian term for offerings in the name of the Prophet.