Negation Particle

 حرف نفي

Negative focus of Ma

Scope of Ma is consistently restricted to the category immediately following it. Moreover constituents negated by Ma must appear in the initial position that corresponds to the position usually occupied by proposed focus phrases. Constituent negations seems to be instance of negation focus.

Ma also occurs in imperfect tense. In imperfect tense, it becomes interrogative marker. In this situation particle Ma is acceptable only if an object immediately follows it.

The particle Ma with flat intonation ( -- ) is usually used to specify a negative meaning in perfect tense. It is also used as an interrogative particle with rising falling rising intonation tone either in perfect or imperfect.

• They seek by contrary to fact verbal assertion to beguile Allah the Exalted and to convince those have heartily believed [the Messenger and Grand Qur'aan].

• -- However, in fact they deceive none by false declaration of belief except their own selves;

• And they analyze not to realize-perceive this fact [since do not see beyond their selfish stakes] --. [2:09]

Read with 00037 as Relative Pronoun

Read with 00067 as Resembling (المشبهة بـ"ليس" ):Deficient verb