Six Shar‘i Principles Regarding the Use of the Word “Kāna” in Arabic
Ma’khūz: Fatāwā Arkan-e-Islam
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
❖ Introduction
The Arabic word “كَانَ“ is often used in the Qur’an and Hadith. A linguistic and jurisprudential question arises:
Does “Kāna” always imply continuity and permanence in action?
Below are six shar‘i and linguistic principles regarding its usage, based on authentic sources:
① “Kāna + Present Verb” Indicates Past Continuous
When “Kāna” is followed by a fiʿl muḍāriʿ (present verb), it typically denotes a past continuous action.
Example from Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī:
«كان يرفع يديه حذو منكبيه…»
“The Prophet ﷺ would (regularly) raise his hands up to his shoulders…”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī)
This implies that the act of raising hands was a regular Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
② “Kāna” Can Indicate Permanence or Habitual Action
Imām Zaylaʿī (رحمه الله) stated:
«کان يَتَوَضَّأُ ثَلَاثًا ثَلَاثًا…»
“He ﷺ used to perform wuḍūʾ three times (each limb) regularly…”
(Naṣb al-Rāyah 1/31)
🟩 According to scholars like Imām Zaylaʿī, “Kāna” implies permanence (دوام) when context supports it.
③ Absence of “Kāna” Implies One-time Action
Mufassir Muftī Aḥmad Yār Khān Naʿīmī explains:
In ḥajj al-wadāʿ, the Prophet ﷺ prayed qāṣr at Dhū al-Ḥulayfah. The hadith says “ṣallā ẓuhr”, not “kāna yuṣallī”—indicating a single incident, not a habitual practice.
(Jāʾ al-Ḥaqq 2/547)
✅ This suggests that when a habit is not meant, the word “ṣallā” is used instead of “kāna”.
④ Present Verb Alone Can Also Indicate Continuity
In Surah al-Aḥzāb (33:56), Allah says:
﴿إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ وَمَلَٰٓئِكَتَهُۥ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِيِّ﴾
Muftī Muhammad Khān Qādrī explains:
“The verb yusallūn is fiʿl muḍāriʿ (present tense) indicating ongoing and repeated action.”
(Imtiyāzāt Muṣṭafā, p. 75)
🟢 Thus, fiʿl muḍāriʿ by itself can imply continuity depending on context.
⑤ “Kāna” May Be Used for One-Time Actions
Sometimes, “Kāna” is used even when the action wasn’t habitual, due to stylistic or contextual purposes.
Example from Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī (516):
«كان رسول الله ﷺ يصلي وهو حامل أمامة…»
“The Prophet ﷺ was praying while carrying Umāmah (his granddaughter)…”
🔸 Here, “Kāna” doesn’t imply he always did this. It refers to a specific incident, as the context clarifies.
⑥ Context Determines Meaning – Habit vs. Exception
Both duwām (permanence) and waqtiyya (temporary/occasional) meanings of “Kāna” are possible, depending on:
- The verb it is attached to
- The context and supporting narrations
- Whether the action was habitual or accidental
✅ Conclusion
◈ When “Kāna” is followed by a present verb, it often indicates past continuity or habitual action.
◈ However, it can also refer to a specific past event depending on contextual evidence.
◈ Scholars have used linguistic and hadith-based analysis to distinguish these meanings.
◈ Hence, every instance of “Kāna” must be evaluated contextually to determine if it signifies habitual practice or one-time occurrence.
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