View source for Lisan ud-Dawat

{{Short description|Indo-European language of Gujarat, India}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{more citations needed|date=June 2021}}
{{Original research|date=August 2017}}
{{unbalanced|date=June 2020}}
}}
{{Infobox language
| name             = Lisaan o Da'wat il-Bohra
| altname          = Lisan al-Dawat
| nativename       = لسان دعوۃ البهرة
| image            = lisaan bohra.jpg
| imagecaption     = "Lisaan o Da'wat il Bohra" in the Arabic script
| pronunciation    =
| region           = [[Western India]], [[Gujarat]]
| familycolor      = Indo-European
| fam2             = [[Indo-Iranian languages|Indo-Iranian]]
| fam3             = [[Indo-Aryan languages|Indo-Aryan]]
| fam4             = [[Western Indo-Aryan languages|Western]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://homepages.fh-giessen.de/kausen/klassifikationen/Indogermanisch.doc |first1=Ernst|last1=Kausen|year=2006 |title=Die Klassifikation der indogermanischen Sprachen|type=doc}}</ref>
| fam5             = [[Gujarati languages|Gujarati]]
| script           = [[Arabic script]]
}}
'''Lisaan ud-Da'wat''' or ''Lisaan o Da'wat il Bohra'' or ''Lisan ud-Dawat'' ({{langx|ar|لسان الدعوة|lit=language of the [[Dawah|Da'wat]]}}, ''da'wat ni zabaan''; abbreviated '''LDB''') is the language of the [[Dawoodi Bohras]], a  [[Isma'ili]] [[Shia|Shi'a]] Muslim communities primarily in [[Gujarat]], following the Taiyebi doctrines and theology.<ref name=":0">"Taiyebi" refers to the 21st Imam at-Taiyeb from the progeny of  Lady Fatimah, the daughter of Prophet Mohammmad.  After the seclusion of at-Taiyeb, the doctrines that emerged and propagated by his missionaries in Yemen is followed by Bohra communities of Gujarat</ref> The language is based on a Neo-Indo-Aryan language, [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]], but incorporates a heavy amount of [[Arabic language|Arabic]], [[Urdu language|Urdu]], and [[Persian language|Persian]] vocabulary and is written in the [[Arabic script]] ''[[Naskh (script)|naskh]]'' style.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last=Daftary|first=Farhad|title=The Isma'ilis|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=2007|isbn=978-0-521-85084-1|location=New York|pages=220, 240, 277, 279, 294, 299}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Majlis 3-Chapter 2|url=https://spark.adobe.com/page/3T93Sg8jez1Rg/#language-of-the-dawoodi-bohra-community-written-in-arabic-script-it-is-a-version-of-gujarati-dialect-spoken-in-western-india-with-a-blend-of-arabic-urdu-persian-and-english|access-date=2020-08-23|website=Adobe Spark}}</ref> Originally a [[ritual language]], since the period of the missionaries (<span lang="ar" dir="rtl">دعاۃ</span>) in [[Ahmedabad]] around 1005 AH/1597 AD it has also been propagated as the vernacular language for members of the Bohra communities, but the version used by their religious leader-''Saiyedna''<ref>It is a honorific word used for the missionary of Bohra communities around the world since the succession of the missionaries in Yemen from 532 AH/1138 AD</ref> and his assembly members or clergy still differs slightly from the Gujarati spoken by their community members.<ref name="Mullahs">{{cite book |first=Jonah |last=Blank |title=Mullahs on the Mainframe: Islam and Modernity Among the Daudi Bohras |year=2001 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |page=143 |isbn=9780226056777 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uDVHN6xkdiMC |via=books.google.com}}</ref> The reason is that the religious sermons is highly loaded and peppered with the inputs and sentences of Arabic language having direct references with ancient sectarian Bohra literature linked with Egyptian and Yemeni phase of Da'wah.<ref>It is a rightly guided spiritual mission after the demise of Muhammad in 11 AH/633 AD</ref>  The earliest Bohras were Indian, and they spoke Gujarati. With the continuous effort of the Taiyebi leadership (of Yemen and their representatives in India) to promote Qur'anic and Islamic learning within the community, the language of these texts has, over time, percolated Lisaan ul-Da'wat, with Arabic (and Persian) words replacing part of the Gujarati lexicon.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Kate|first=Fleet|title=The Encyclopaedia of Islam|publisher=Brill|year=2013|isbn=978-90-04-25268-4|location=Boston|pages=62}}</ref>
Some key works in Lisan al-Dawat are the translations of the Arabic literary masterpieces of [[Isma'ilism|Isma'ili]] literature written during the reign of the [[Fatimid Caliphate|Fatimids]] in [[Iran|Persia]] and [[Egypt]] (225-525 AH/840-1131 AD) and also the Taiyebi<ref name=":0" /> literature written in [[Yemen]] by 24 different missionaries (pl. ''du'aat'') between 532-974 AH/1137-1566 AD, with summaries and admonitions in poetic form too.  The ''Da'i''-missionary (working under the guidance of Imam) was also expected to be sufficiently familiar with the teachings of different religions as well as various Islamic traditions, whilst knowing the local language and customs of the province in which he was to operate.<ref name=":1" />  This is the reason that the Bohra leadership of [[Ahmedabad]] phase (946-1070 AH/1540-1660) made notable efforts to amalgamate Yemeni Arabic lexicon with the local language.  The influx of the Persian words during this time is due to the [[Mughal Empire|Mughals]] ruling the major parts of Gujarat.  During the course of time this unique language became an identity for Bohras.  Arabic tradition of religious writings continued in India and some works composed recently in Lisan al-Dawat is highly Arabicized as they are either translations or adaptations of earlier works and intended for popular use.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Ismail K|first=Poonawala|title=Biobibliography of Isma'ili Literature|publisher=Undena Publications|year=1977|isbn=((0-89003-005-3))|oclc=899075576|location=California, USA|pages=19}}</ref>
Many in the community look upon their language Lisan al-Dawat as a bridge to keep united irrespective of their region, occupation and education.  Also it serves as a unique tool to distinguish themselves from other [[Gujarati people|Gujarati communities]] who rather speak the same Gujarati but devoid of Arabic accent and vocabulary.  In more recent times (i.e. since the beginning of 14th century AH), some of these works have appeared in a form of Arabicized Gujarati written in Arabic script, the official language of the Bohra Da'wah, so as to reach a wider public.<ref name=":1" />  In South Asia, the official language of the Sulaymani Bohras is Urdu, the language commonly used by the majority of the Muslims of India and Pakistan.  They also deliver their sermons in Urdu.<ref name=":1" />
==Alphabet==
=== Vowel diacritics ===
Though not normally written and only implied,<ref name=":2" /> like Urdu, Lisan ud-Dawat also has diacritics taken from the [[Arabic]] language<ref>{{Cite book|last=Bhardwaj|first=Mangat|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-NDmDAAAQBAJ&q=diacritics+in+shahmukhi&pg=PA377|title=Panjabi: A Comprehensive Grammar|publisher=Routledge|year=2016|isbn=978-1317643265|pages=378|quote=It is an ancient Arabic writing tradition (carried on in Persian, Urdu and Lisan ud-Dawat to omit the diacritics (except the Hamza) in ordinary writing and to depend on the context to interpret a word.}}</ref> to express short vowels.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sanlp.org/PMT/shahmukhi.htm|title=Punjabi - Shahmukhi Script|website=sanlp.org|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190919092600/http://www.sanlp.org/PMT/shahmukhi.htm|archive-date=19 September 2019|access-date=22 April 2020}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|+
Diacritics used in Lisan ud-Dawat
!Symbol
!Name
!Usage
![[International Phonetic Alphabet|IPA]]
!Notes
|-
|align="center"|{{Nastaliq|ٰ}}
|align="center"|Khari Zabar
|align="center"|a
|align="center"|[ə]
|align="center"|Used in Arabic loanwords such as ‘{{nastaliq|{{strong|عیسیٰ}}}}’ (‘Jesus’)
|-
|align="center"|{{Nastaliq|َ}}
|align="center"|Zabar
|align="center"|a
|align="center"|[ə]
|align="center"|
|-
|align="center"|{{Nastaliq|ً}}
|align="center"|Zabar Tanwīn
|align="center"|-an
|align="center"|[ən]
|align="center"|Used for Arabic loanwords such as ‘{{nastaliq|فور{{strong|اً}}}}’ (‘Immediately’)
|-
|align="center"|{{Nastaliq|ٓ}}
|align="center"|Maddah
|align="center"|ā
|align="center"|[ɑː]
|align="center"|Used only for Alif Maddah ({{nastaliq|ا}} + {{nastaliq|ٓ}} = {{nastaliq|آ}}), not written as a separate diacritic
|-
|align="center"|{{Nastaliq|ِ}}
|align="center"|Zer
|align="center"|i
|align="center"|[ɪ]
|align="center"|Written underneath a letter
|-
|align="center"|{{Nastaliq|ٍ}}
|align="center"|Zer Tanwīn
|align="center"|in
|align="center"|[ɪn]
|align="center"|Rarely used for Arabic loanwords, written underneath a letter
|-
|align="center"|{{Nastaliq|ُ}}
|align="center"|Pesh
|align="center"|u
|align="center"|[u]
|align="center"|
|-
|align="center"|{{nastaliq|ٔ}}
|align="center"|Hamza
|align="center"|{{strong|varied}}
|align="center"|-
|align="center"|Used on vowels to indicate a [[diphthong]] between two vowels, examples such as: ‘{{nq|{{strong|ئ}}}}’, ‘{{nq|{{strong|ۓ}}}}’, ‘{{nq|{{strong|ؤ}}}}‘, and {{nq|{{strong|أ}}}} , not written as a separate diacritic
|-
|align="center"|{{Nastaliq|ّ}}
|align="center"|Tashdīd
|align="center"|[[Gemination|Geminite]]
|align="center"|[.]
|align="center"|Doubles a consonant, goes above the letter being doubled - {{Nq|کّ}} = kk
|-
|}
=== Consonants ===
{| class="wikitable" style=text-align:center
|-
|-
!No.
!colspan="2"|Name<ref>{{cite book |last1=Delacy |first1=Richard |title=Beginner's Urdu Script |date=2003 |publisher=McGraw-Hill |url=https://books.google.com/books?isbn=007141987X |pages=xv–xvi}}</ref>
![[International Phonetic Alphabet|IPA]]
!Final glyph
!Medial glyph
!Initial glyph
!Isolated glyph
![[Gujarati language|Gujarati]]
|-
| 1
| {{Nastaliq|الف}}
| ''alif''
| {{IPA|/ɑ̈, ʔ, ∅/}}
|{{Nq|ـا}}
|{{Nq|ـا}}
|{{Nq|ا}}
| style="height:150%;padding:10px;font-size: 160%;" | {{lang|gu|{{Nastaliq|[[ا]]}}}}
|'''અ''', '''આ''' {{Small|(medial)}}
|-
| 2
| {{Nastaliq|بے}}
| ''bē''
| {{IPA|/b/}}
|{{Nq|ـب}}
|{{Nq|ـبـ}}
|{{Nq|بـ}}
| style="height:150%;padding:10px;font-size: 160%;" | {{lang|gu|{{Nastaliq|[[ب]]}}}}
|'''બ'''
|-
| 3
| {{Nastaliq|پے}}
| ''pē''
| {{IPA|/p/}}
|{{Nq|ـپ}}
|{{Nq|ـپـ}}
|{{Nq|پـ}}
| style="height:150%;padding:10px;font-size: 160%;" | {{lang|gu|{{Nastaliq|[[پ]]}}}}
|'''પ'''
|-
| 4
| {{Nastaliq|تے}}
| ''tē''
| {{IPA|/t/}}
|{{Nq|ـت}}
|{{Nq|ـتـ}}
|{{Nq|تـ}}
| style="height:150%;padding:10px;font-size: 160%;" | {{lang|gu|{{Nastaliq|[[ت]]}}}}
|'''ત'''
|-
| 5
| {{Nastaliq|ٹے}}
| ''ṭē''
| {{IPA|/ʈ/}}
|{{Nq|ـٹ}}
|{{Nq|ـٹـ}}
|{{Nq|ٹـ}}
| style="height:150%;padding:10px;font-size: 160%;" | {{lang|gu|{{Nastaliq|[[ٹ]]}}}}
|'''ટ '''
|-
| 6
| {{Nastaliq|ثے}}
| ''s̱ē''
| {{IPA|/s , θ/}}
|{{Nq|ـث}}
|{{Nq|ـثـ}}
|{{Nq|ثـ}}
| style="height:150%;padding:10px;font-size: 160%;" | {{lang|gu|{{Nastaliq|[[ث]]}}}}
|'''સ''' '''થ઼'''
|-
| 7
| {{Nastaliq|جيم}}
| ''jīm''
| {{IPA|/d͡ʒ/}}
|{{Nq|ـج}}
|{{Nq|ـجـ}}
|{{Nq|جـ}}
| style="height:150%;padding:10px;font-size: 160%;" | {{lang|gu|{{Nastaliq|[[ج]]}}}}
|'''જ'''
|-
| 8
| {{Nastaliq|چے}}
| ''cē''
| {{IPA|/t͡ʃ/}}
|{{Nq|ـچ}}
|{{Nq|ـچـ}}
|{{Nq|چـ}}
| style="height:150%;padding:10px;font-size: 160%;" | {{lang|gu|{{Nastaliq|[[چ]]}}}}
|'''ચ'''
|-
| 9
| {{Nastaliq|بڑی حے}}
| ''baṛī ḥē''
| {{IPA|/ɦ/}}
|{{Nq|ـح}}
|{{Nq|ـحـ}}
|{{Nq|حـ}}
| style="height:150%;padding:10px;font-size: 160%;" | {{lang|gu|{{Nastaliq|[[ح]]}}}}
|'''હ'''
|-
| 10
| {{Nastaliq|خے}}
| ''k͟hē''
| {{IPA|/x/}}
|{{Nq|ـخ}}
|{{Nq|ـخـ}}
|{{Nq|خـ}}
| style="height:150%;padding:10px;font-size: 160%;" | {{lang|gu|{{Nastaliq|[[خ]]}}}}
|'''ખ઼'''
|-
| 11
| {{Nastaliq|دال}}
| ''dāl''
| {{IPA|/d/}}
|{{Nq|ـد}}
|{{Nq|ـد}}
|{{Nq|د}}
| style="height:150%;padding:10px;font-size: 160%;" | {{lang|pa|{{Nastaliq|[[د]]}}}}
|'''દ'''
|-
| 12
| {{Nastaliq|ڈال}}
| ''ḍāl''
| {{IPA|/ɖ/}}
|{{Nq|ـڈ}}
|{{Nq|ـڈ}}
|{{Nq|ڈ}}
| style="height:150%;padding:10px;font-size: 160%;" | {{lang|gu|{{Nastaliq|[[ڈ]]}}}}
|'''ડ '''
|-
| 13
| {{Nastaliq|ذال}}
| ''ẕāl''
| {{IPA|/z , ð/}}
|{{Nq|ـذ}}
|{{Nq|ـذ}}
|{{Nq|ذ}}
| style="height:150%;padding:10px;font-size: 160%;" | {{lang|gu|{{Nastaliq|[[ذ]]}}}}
|'''ઝ઼''' '''ધ઼'''
|-
| 14
| {{Nastaliq|رے}}
| ''rē''
| {{IPA|/r/}}
|{{Nq|ـر}}
|{{Nq|ـر}}
|{{Nq|ر}}
| style="height:150%;padding:10px;font-size: 160%;" | {{lang|gu|{{Nastaliq|[[ر]]}}}}
|'''ર'''
|-
| 15
| {{Nastaliq|ڑے}}
| ''ṛē''
| {{IPA|/ɽ/}}
|{{Nq|ـڑ}}
|{{Nq|ـڑ}}
|{{Nq|ڑ}}
| style="height:150%;padding:10px;font-size: 160%;" | {{lang|gu|{{Nastaliq|[[ڑ]]}}}}
|'''દ઼'''
|-
| 16
| {{Nastaliq|زے}}
| ''zē''
| {{IPA|/z/}}
|{{Nq|ـز}}
|{{Nq|ـز}}
|{{Nq|ز}}
| style="height:150%;padding:10px;font-size: 160%;" | {{lang|gu|{{Nastaliq|[[ز]]}}}}
|'''ઝ઼'''
|-
| 17
| {{Nastaliq|ژے}}
| ''zhē''
| {{IPA|/ʒ/}}
|{{Nq|ـژ}}
|{{Nq|ـژ}}
|{{Nq|ژ}}
| style="height:150%;padding:10px;font-size: 160%;" | {{lang|gu|{{Nastaliq|[[ژ]]}}}}
|'''_'''
|-
| 18
| {{Nastaliq|سین}}
| ''sīn''
| {{IPA|/s/}}
|{{Nq|ـس}}
|{{Nq|ـسـ}}
|{{Nq|سـ}}
| style="height:150%;padding:10px;font-size: 160%;" | {{lang|gu|{{Nastaliq|[[س]]}}}}
|'''સ'''
|-
| 19
| {{Nastaliq|شین}}
| ''shīn''
| {{IPA|/ʃ/}}
|{{Nq|ـش}}
|{{Nq|ـشـ}}
|{{Nq|شـ}}
| style="height:150%;padding:10px;font-size: 160%;" | {{lang|gu|{{Nastaliq|[[ش]]}}}}
|'''શ'''
|-
| 20
| {{Nastaliq|صاد}}
| ''ṣvād''
| {{IPA|/s/}}
|{{Nq|ـص}}
|{{Nq|ـصـ}}
|{{Nq|صـ}}
| style="height:150%;padding:10px;font-size: 160%;" | {{lang|gu|{{Nastaliq|[[ص]]}}}}
|'''સ'''
|-
| 21
| {{Nastaliq|ضاد}}
| ''ẓvād''
| {{IPA|/z/}}
|{{Nq|ـض}}
|{{Nq|ـضـ}}
|{{Nq|ضـ}}
| style="height:150%;padding:10px;font-size: 160%;" | {{lang|gu|{{Nastaliq|[[ض]]}}}}
|'''ઝ઼'''
|-
| 22
| {{Nastaliq|طوۓ}}
| ''t̤o{{hamza}}ē''
| {{IPA|/t/}}
|{{Nq|ـط}}
|{{Nq|ـطـ}}
|{{Nq|طـ}}
| style="height:150%;padding:10px;font-size: 160%;" | {{lang|gu|{{Nastaliq|[[ط]]}}}}
|'''ત'''
|-
| 23
| {{Nastaliq|ظوۓ}}
| ''z̤o{{hamza}}ē''
| {{IPA|/z/}}
|{{Nq|ـظ}}
|{{Nq|ـظـ}}
|{{Nq|ظـ}}
| style="height:150%;padding:10px;font-size: 160%;" | {{lang|gu|{{Nastaliq|[[ظ]]}}}}
|'''ઝ઼'''
|-
| 24
| {{Nastaliq|عین}}
| ''{{okina}}ain''
| {{IPA|/ə,ɑː,ɪ,iː,u,uː,oː,ɔː,eː,ɛː, ʔ, ∅/}}
|{{Nq|ـع}}
|{{Nq|ـعـ}}
|{{Nq|عـ}}
| style="height:150%;padding:10px;font-size: 160%;" | {{lang|gu|{{Nastaliq|[[ع]]}}}}
|'''અ,આ,ઇ,ઈ,ઉ,ઊ,ઍ,ઐ,ઓ,ઔ'''
|-
| 25
| {{Nastaliq|غین}}
| ''g͟hain''
| {{IPA|/ɣ/}}
|{{Nq|ـغ}}
|{{Nq|ـغـ}}
|{{Nq|غـ}}
| style="height:150%;padding:10px;font-size: 160%;" | {{lang|gu|{{Nastaliq|[[غ]]}}}}
|'''ગ઼'''
|-
| 26
| {{Nastaliq|فے}}
| ''fē''
| {{IPA|/f/}}
|{{Nq|ـف}}
|{{Nq|ـفـ}}
|{{Nq|فـ}}
| style="height:150%;padding:10px;font-size: 160%;" | {{lang|gu|{{Nastaliq|[[ف]]}}}}
|'''ફ઼'''
|-
| 27
| {{Nastaliq|قاف}}
| ''qāf''
| {{IPA|/q/}}
|{{Nq|ـق}}
|{{Nq|ـقـ}}
|{{Nq|قـ}}
| style="height:150%;padding:10px;font-size: 160%;" | {{lang|gu|{{Nastaliq|[[ق]]}}}}
|'''ક઼'''
|-
| 28
| {{Nastaliq|کاف}}
| ''kāf''
| {{IPA|/k/}}
|{{Nq|ـک}}
|{{Nq|ـکـ}}
|{{Nq|کـ}}
| style="height:150%;padding:10px;font-size: 160%;" | {{lang|gu|{{Nastaliq|[[Kāf|ک]]}}}}
|'''ક'''
|-
| 29
| {{Nastaliq|گاف}}
| ''gāf''
| {{IPA|/ɡ/}}
|{{Nq|ـگ}}
|{{Nq|ـگـ}}
|{{Nq|گـ}}
| style="height:150%;padding:10px;font-size: 160%;" | {{lang|gu|{{Nastaliq|[[گ]]}}}}
|'''ગ'''
|-
| 30
| {{Nastaliq|لام}}
| ''lām''
| {{IPA|/l/}}
|{{Nq|ـل}}
|{{Nq|ـلـ}}
|{{Nq|لـ}}
| style="height:150%;padding:10px;font-size: 160%;" | {{lang|gu|{{Nastaliq|[[ل]]}}}}
|'''લ'''
|-
| 31<ref name=":4">Rarely used in literature, except when a distinction between the pronunciation of the non-retroflex character is needed</ref>
| {{Nastaliq|لؕام}}
| ''ḷām''
| {{IPA|/ɭ/}}
|{{Nq|ـلؕ}}
|{{Nq|ـلؕـ}}
|{{Nq|لؕـ}}
| style="height:150%;padding:10px;font-size: 160%;" | {{lang|gu|{{Nastaliq|[[ࣇ|لؕ]]}}}}
|'''ળ '''
|-
| 32
| {{Nastaliq|میم}}
| ''mīm''
| {{IPA|/m/}}
|{{Nq|ـم}}
|{{Nq|ـمـ}}
|{{Nq|مـ}}
| style="height:150%;padding:10px;font-size: 160%;" | {{lang|gu|{{Nastaliq|[[م]]}}}}
|'''મ'''
|-
| 33
| {{Nastaliq|نون}}
| ''nūn''
| {{IPA|/n, ɲ/}}
|{{Nq|ـن}}
|{{Nq|ـنـ}}
|{{Nq|نـ}}
| style="height:150%;padding:10px;font-size: 160%;" | {{lang|gu|{{Nastaliq|[[ن]]}}}}
|'''ન'''
|-
| 34<ref name=":4" />
| {{Nastaliq|ݨون}}
| ''ṇūṇ''
| {{IPA|/ɳ/}}
|{{Nq|ـݨ}}
|{{Nq|ـݨـ}}
| {{Nq|ݨـ}}
| style="height:150%;padding:10px;font-size: 160%;" | {{lang|gu|{{Nastaliq|[[ݨ]]}}}}
|'''ણ'''
|-
| 35
| {{Nastaliq|نون غنّہ}}
| ''nūn ġunnah''
| {{IPA|/[[Nasal vowel|◌̃]], ŋ/}}
|{{Nq|ـں}}
|{{Nq|ـن٘ـ}}
|{{Nq|ن٘ـ}}
| style="height:150%;padding:10px;font-size: 160%;" | {{lang|gu|{{Nastaliq|[[ں]]}}}}
{{Small|{{Nastaliq|(ن٘)}}}}
<br />
|'''ં'''
|-
| 36
| {{Nastaliq|واؤ}}
| ''vā{{hamza}}o''
| {{IPA|/ʋ, u, ʊ, o, ɔ, əʋ/}}
|{{Nq|ـو}}
|{{Nq|ـو}}
|{{Nq|و}}
| style="height:150%;padding:10px;font-size: 160%;" | {{lang|gu|{{Nastaliq|[[و]]}}}}
|'''ઊ''', '''ઓ'''
|-
| 37
| {{Nastaliq|نکی ہے}}<br>{{Nastaliq|گول ہے}}
| ''choṭī hē''<br>''gol hē''
|{{IPA|/ɦ, ɑ, e/}}
|{{Nq|ـہ}}
|{{Nq|ـہـ}}
|{{Nq|ہـ}}
| style="height:150%;padding:10px;font-size: 160%;" | {{lang|gu|{{Nastaliq|[[ہ]]}}}}
|'''હ'''
|-
| 38
| {{Nastaliq|دو چشمی ہے}}
| ''do-cashmī hē''
| {{IPA|/ʰ/}} or {{IPA|/ʱ/}}
|{{Nq|ـھ}}
|{{Nq|ـھـ}}
|{{Nq|ھ}}
| style="height:150%;padding:10px;font-size: 160%;" | {{lang|gu|{{Nastaliq|[[ھ]]}}}}
|'''varied''' / '''-'''
|-
| 39
| {{Nastaliq|ہمزہ}}
| ''hamzah''
| {{IPA|/ʔ/}}, {{IPA|/∅/}}
|{{Nq|ء}}
|{{Nq|ء}}
|{{Nq|ء}}
| style="height:150%;padding:10px;font-size: 160%;" |{{lang|gu|{{Nastaliq|[[ء]]}}}}
|'''-'''
|-
| 40
|{{Nastaliq|چھوٹی يے}}
|''choṭī yē''
|{{IPA|/j, i/}}
|{{Nq|ـی}}
|{{Nq|ـیـ}}
|{{Nq|یـ}}
| style="height:150%;padding:10px;font-size: 160%;" |{{lang|gu|{{Nastaliq|[[ی]]}}}}
|'''ઈ''', '''ઍ'''
|-
| 41
|{{Nastaliq|بڑی يے}}
|''baṛī yē''
|{{IPA|/ɛ, e,əj/}}
|{{Nq|ـے}}
|{{Nq|ـے}}
|{{Nq|ے}}
| style="height:150%;padding:10px;font-size: 160%;" | {{lang|gu|{{Nastaliq|[[ے]]}}}}
|'''ઍ''', '''ઐ'''
|}
No Lisan ud Dawat words begin with {{lang|ur|ں}}, {{lang|ur|ھ}}, {{lang|ur|ڑ}} or {{lang|ur|ے}}.
The [[Digraph (orthography)|digraphs]] of [[aspirated consonant]]s are as follows. In addition, {{Nastaliq|ل}} , {{Nastaliq|لؕ}} form ligatures with {{Nastaliq|ا}}: {{Nastaliq|لا}} ({{Nastaliq|ـلا}}) and {{Nastaliq|لؕا}} ({{Nastaliq|ـلؕا}}) and unlike Urdu Lisan ud-Dawat word which have t at last always wrttien in ۃ not in ت  for example  Urdu word-دعوت  Lisan ud-Dawat word دعوۃ.
===Aspirated Consonants ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! No.
! '''Digraph'''<ref name="LoC">{{cite web|title=Urdu romanization|url=https://www.loc.gov/catdir/cpso/romanization/urdu.pdf|publisher=The Library of Congress}}</ref>
! '''Transcription'''<ref name="LoC"/>
! '''IPA'''
! Example
|-
|1
| style="font-size: 150%"|{{Nastaliq|بھ}}
| ''bh''
|
| {{Nastaliq|بھارت}}
|-
|2
| style="font-size: 150%"|{{Nastaliq|پھ}}
| ''ph''
| {{IPA|[pʰ]}}
| {{Nastaliq|پھلؕ}}
|-
|3
| style="font-size: 150%"|{{Nastaliq|تھ}}
| ''th''
| {{IPA|[tʰ]}}
| {{Nastaliq|ہاتھی}}
|-
|4
| style="font-size: 150%"|{{Nastaliq|ٹھ}}
| ''ṭh''
| {{IPA|[ʈʰ]}}
| {{Nastaliq|ٹھلؕیو}}
|-
|5
| style="font-size: 150%"|{{Nastaliq|جھ}}
| ''jh''
|
| {{Nastaliq|جھاڑی}}
|-
|6
| style="font-size: 150%"|{{Nastaliq|چھ}}
| ''ch''
| {{IPA|[t͡ʃʰ]}}
| {{Nastaliq|چھوکرا}}
|-
|7
| style="font-size: 150%"|{{Nastaliq|دھ}}
| ''dh''
|
| {{Nastaliq|دھوبی}}
|-
|8
| style="font-size: 150%"|{{Nastaliq|ڈھ}}
| ''ḍh''
|
| {{Nastaliq|ڈھول}}
|-
|9
| style="font-size: 150%"|{{Nastaliq|رھ}}
| ''rh''
| {{IPA|[rʱ]}}
| No example?
|-
|10
| style="font-size: 150%"|{{Nastaliq|ڑھ}}
| ''ṛh''
| {{IPA|[ɽʱ]}}
| {{Nastaliq|کڑھنا}}
|-
|11
| style="font-size: 150%"|{{Nastaliq|کھ}}
| ''kh''
| {{IPA|[kʰ]}}
| {{Nastaliq|کھولنا}}
|-
|12
| style="font-size: 150%"|{{Nastaliq|گھ}}
| ''gh''
|
| {{Nastaliq|گھبراہٹ}}
|-
|13
| style="font-size: 150%"|{{Nastaliq|لھ}}
| ''lh''
| {{IPA|[lʱ]}}
| No example?
|-
|14
| style="font-size: 150%"|{{Nastaliq|مھ}}
| ''mh''
| {{IPA|[mʱ]}}
| {{Nastaliq|ڈمھ}}
|-
|15
| style="font-size: 150%"|{{Nastaliq|نھ}}
| ''nh''
| {{IPA|[nʱ]}}
| {{Nastaliq|ننھا}}
|-
|16
| style="font-size: 150%"|{{Nastaliq|وھ}}
| ''wh''
| {{IPA|[ʋʱ]}}
| No example?
|-
|17
| style="font-size: 150%"|{{Nastaliq|یھ}}
| ''yh''
| {{IPA|[jʱ]}}
| No example?
|}
===Vowels===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
!Romanization
! colspan="2" |Final
!Middle
!Initial
|-
|a (અ)
| colspan="2" |N/A
| style="font-size: 150%" |{{Nastaliq|ـَ}}
| style="font-size: 150%" |{{Nastaliq|اَ}}
|-
|ā (આ)
| style="font-size: 150%" |ـَا، ـَی، ـَہ
| colspan="2" |{{Nastaliq|ـَا}}
| style="font-size: 150%" |{{Nastaliq|آ}}
|-
|i (ઇ)
| colspan="2" |N/A
| style="font-size: 150%" |{{Nastaliq|ـِ}}
| style="font-size: 150%" |{{Nastaliq|اِ}}
|-
|ī (ઈ)
| colspan="2" style="font-size: 150%" |{{Nastaliq|ـِى}}
| style="font-size: 150%" |{{Nastaliq|ـِيـ}}
| style="font-size: 150%" |{{Nastaliq|اِی}}
|-
|ē (ઍ)
| colspan="2" style="font-size: 150%" |{{Nastaliq|ـے‬}}
| style="font-size: 150%" |{{Nastaliq|ـيـ}}
| style="font-size: 150%" |{{Nastaliq|اے}}
|-
|ai (ઐ)
| colspan="2" style="font-size: 150%" |{{Nastaliq|ـَے‬}}
| style="font-size: 150%" |{{Nastaliq|ـَيـ}}
| style="font-size: 150%" |{{Nastaliq|اَے}}
|-
|u (ઉ)
| colspan="2" |N/A
| style="font-size: 150%" |{{Nastaliq|ـُ}}
| style="font-size: 150%" |{{Nastaliq|اُ}}
|-
|ū (ઊ)
| colspan="3" style="font-size: 150%" |{{Nastaliq|ـُو}}
| style="font-size: 150%" |{{Nastaliq|اُو}}
|-
|-
|o (ઓ)
| colspan="3" style="font-size: 150%" |{{Nastaliq|ـو}}
| style="font-size: 150%" |{{Nastaliq|او}}
|-
|au (ઔ)
| colspan="3" style="font-size: 150%" |{{Nastaliq|ـَو}}
| style="font-size: 150%" |{{Nastaliq|اَو}}
|}
* {{lang|pnb-Arab|{{nq|ے}}}} (vadī ye) is only found in the final position, when writing the sounds e (ઍ) or æ (ઐ), and in initial and medial positions, it takes the form of {{lang|pnb-Arab|{{nq|یَ}}}}.
== Alavi Bohras (Lisaan ud-Da'wat il-'Alaviyah (LDA)-لسان الدعوۃ العلویۃ) ==
=== Origin ===
[[File:Language category.jpg|thumb|Language Origin]]
The [[Alavi Bohra]] community are muslims who believe in Shi'a Isma'ili Taiyebi doctrines, beliefs and tenets. The 18th [[Fatimid Caliphate|Faatemi Imaam]] Maulaana [[al-Mustansir Billah]] (478 AH/1094 AD), from the ''Aal''-progeny of [[Muhammad|Muhammad al-Mustafaa]], held the seat of the [[Fatimid Empire]] in Egypt and acted as the sole authority of the Shi'a Isma'ili branch of Islam. In his era, Maulaai Ahmad (مولائي احمد) along with his accomplices Maulaai Abdullah and Maulaai Nuruddin, on Mustansir Billah's decree, arrived at the coast of Gujarat ([[Khambhat]]) along with a group of traders. His responsibility was to spread [[Shia Islam|Shi'i Islam]] in the guise of doing trade. At that time, [[Chaulukya dynasty|Sidhraj Jaysingh]]<ref>A the ruler of Gujarat State who secretly accepted Isma'ili Faith on the hands of Maulaai Ahmad and was buried privately where only his close associates knew his place of burial</ref> was ruling in [[Patan, Gujarat|Patan]]-Sidhpur, and a small Isma'ili community was already residing in Gujarat who were well-versed with local customs and language. They helped the clergy in every possible way to dispense the word of Imam among those [[Brahmin]]s who showed sincere interest in Isma'ili doctrine.  Historical accounts points that early Taiyebi preachers-''maulaai'' had to travel far and wide on the commands of their ''Da'i'' to such a remote place where they found the native language as a big hindrance to their religious agenda.  So, they first learned and mastered the local language and it proved as a best tool of communication.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Engineer|first=Asghar Ali|title=The Bohras|publisher=Vikas Publishing House Pvt Ltd|year=1993|location=New Delhi|pages=101}}</ref>
At the end of the fifth century AH, many such representatives of [[Fatimid Egypt|Faatemi Imaam]] were also present in Yemen. Every Isma'ili preacher who came to India after Maulaai<ref>It is the term used in Da'wah Hierarchy where a person acts as per the orders of Da'i</ref> Ahmad, either from Egypt or from [[Yemen]], had [[Arabic]] as his mother tongue and it happened to be the official language of the [[Fatimid Caliphate|Fatimids]]. With the help of [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]] speaking Isma'ili traders they gradually learnt the local native language to propagate their religion. It also happened that, in order to learn more about their religious teachings, many people from Gujarat migrated to Yemen to get religious teachings directly from the Da'i (the representative of the Imam of Egypt). This took place in the 10th century AH/16th century AD. This is where the basic Yemeni Arabic language of Taiyebis<ref name=":0" /> first got combined with the local [[Gujarati language]], giving birth to a new form of language which got more correlative, complex and comprehensive over time.  Scholarly exchanges took place, mainly consisting of Indians visiting Yemen for instruction and guidance.  The predominant language for the literary output of this period remained Arabic, although at a later stage the use of Gujarati in Arabic script became common.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Delia|first=Cortese|title=Arabic Ismaili Manuscripts|publisher=I.B. Tauris & Co Ltd. & IIS|year=2003|isbn=186064-860-6|location=New York|pages=9}}</ref>  This form of language got the name Lisaan ud-Da'wat (Lisan al-Dawah) or Lughat ud-Da'wat (لغۃ الدعوۃ).[[File:Administrative map of Gujarat.png|thumb|Map of Gujarat]]
==== Language contact of Arabic, Sanskrit, and Gujarati with Persian and Urdu ====
A genealogical classification of languages is a classification according to their development from common ancestors. A language family is a group of languages related through descent from a common ancestor, called the proto language of that family. Let's see the tree diagrams of the two major language families which will help us to establish the relation among the languages. The first is Proto Indo-European Language and the other is Proto Hemito-Semitic/Afro-Asiatic language families.
During the mid-16th century, [[Mughal Empire|Mughals]] invaded India through the Gulf of Khambhat (Cambay), since Khambhat was then the biggest port of India. Mughals came from Persia (Iran) and spoke [[Persian language|Persian]] (Farsi). This was the period when Bohra missionaries practiced and preached their faith openly and the local people felt their presence in [[Ahmedabad]]. Thus, with their acumen of doing trade and business, their social and commercial activities in and around Ahmedabad got momentum.  Their language too progressed and it became the blend of Arabic, Urdu, Gujarati and Persian now known as a Bohra Gujarati Zabaan. Also, Persian art and culture with some Gujarati Hindu traditions got amalgamated with Indian Bohra art and culture.
With the invasion of the Mughals arose a need for trade and commerce. New trade routes were opened between India and Persia. Along this route, Turkic people also started trade and commerce. They spoke a Persio-Arabic language. The amalgamation of their language with the contemporary language of India gave rise to a new language, a link language called Urdu, due to the mingling of Persian and Hindavi (''aam boli''). Thus it is a [[Pidgin|Pidgin language]] and a part of the [[Proto-Indo-European language|Proto Indo-European language]] family. During this era, in 1030 AH/1621 AD, there was a major schism of succession of religious authority (''da'i'') in Ahmedabad among the Bohras. A separation occurred and a small group of Bohras believed in the Da'iship (leadership) of the 29th [[Da'i al-Mutlaq]] Saiyedna Ali Saheb, the grandson of the 28th Da'i Saiyedna Shaikh Aadam saheb.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Misra|first=Satish C|title=Muslim Communities in Gujarat|publisher=Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Pvt. Ltd.|year=1985|location=New Delhi|pages=31}}</ref> They were called as "Alavi" from now onward after their first ''da'i'' "Ali" after the schism.  Thus, Alavi Bohras maintained their own separate identity from other Bohra groups of Gujarat and Yemen, but the basic language pattern of all the Bohra communities remained unchanged, unlike the [[Sulaymani Bohra]]s who chose to embrace Urdu as their community language.
Thus due to these reasons and the migration of the Alavi Bohras from Ahmedabad to Vadodara in 1110 AH/1699 AD, they speak Lisaan ud-Da'wat, a blend of many languages including [[Luwati language|Khojki]]. However, Khojki has a minimal influence on the Alavi Bohra language and Sanskrit vocabulary also gradually degraded due to Gujarati influence on this language. Alavi Bohras read, write and speak an Arabicized form (permeated with Arabic and Persian vocabulary) of Gujarati called '''''Lisaan ud-Da'wat il-'Alaviyah'''-''لسان الدعوۃ العلویۃ-'''LDA''', i.e. the "Language of the {{not a typo|Truly}} Guided Mission of Ali" (29th Da'i called ''Saiyedna and martyr''). Today, Alavi Bohras are settled in Vadodara (Gujarat) which is  the official headquarters of the 45th [[Da'i al-Mutlaq]] Saiyedna Haatim Zakiyuddin saheb, called "''ad-Da'wat ul-Haadiyat ul-'Alaviyah''-الدعوۃ الهادیۃ العلویۃ" – the Rightly Guided Alavi Mission.
{| class="wikitable"
!
{| class="wikitable"
|LDA
| colspan="4" |<big>محبو عبادۃ کرو صبح و شام</big>
|-
|Couplet
|<small>Mohibbo</small>
|<small>'Ibādat</small>
|<small>Karo</small>
|<small>Subah-o-shām</small>
|-
|Language
|<small>Arabic</small>
|<small>Arabic</small>
|<small>Gujarati</small>
|<small>Persian</small>
|-
| rowspan="2" |English
Translation
|<small>Loving people</small>
|<small>Worship</small>
|<small>Do</small>
| <small>Morning-and-evening</small>
|-
| colspan="4" |<small>O people of love! Worship (your Lord) in morning and evening</small>
|}
!
!
{| class="wikitable"
|
| colspan="5" |<big>عبادۃ سی ملسے فضیلۃ تمام</big>
|-
|
|<small>'Ibādat</small>
|<small>Si</small>
|<small>Milse</small>
|<small>Fazilat</small>
|<small>Tamām</small>
|-
|
|<small>Arabic</small>
|<small>Gujarati</small>
|<small>Gujarati</small>
|<small>Arabic</small>
|<small>Persian</small>
|-
| rowspan="2" |
|<small>Worship</small>
|<small>By</small>
|<small>Will get</small>
|<small>Merits</small>
|<small>All</small>
|-
| colspan="5" |<small>All merits you will get by worship</small>
|}
|}
{| class="wikitable"
!
{| class="wikitable"
|LDA
| colspan="5" |<big>تمیں دنیا نی دولت چھو</big>
|-
|Couplet
|<small>Tame</small>
|<small>Duniyā</small>
| <small>Ni</small>
|<small>Daulat</small>
|<small>Cho</small>
|-
|Language
|<small>Gujarati</small>
|<small>Arabic</small>
|<small>Gujarati</small>
|<small>Arabic</small>
|<small>Gujarati</small>
|-
| rowspan="2" |English
Translation
|<small>You</small>
|<small>World</small>
|<small>'s</small>
|<small>Wealth</small>
|<small>Are</small>
|-
| colspan="5" |<small>You are the wealth of the World</small>
|}
!
!
{| class="wikitable"
|
| colspan="4" |<big>تمیں عقبی نی عزت چھو</big>
|-
|<small>Tame</small>
|<small>'Uqbā</small>
|<small>Ni</small>
|<small>'Izzat</small>
|<small>Cho</small>
|-
|<small>Gujarati</small>
|<small>Arabic</small>
|<small>Gujarati</small>
|<small>Arabic</small>
|<small>Gujarati</small>
|-
|<small>You</small>
|<small>Hereafter</small>
|<small>'s</small>
|<small>Respect</small>
|<small>Are</small>
|-
| colspan="5" |<small>You are the respect of the Hereafter</small>
|}
|}
=== Sound change and semantic change ===
==== Sound change====
[[Sound change]] is the most studied area in [[historical linguistics]]. Sound tends to change over time and due to contacts with other languages. Sound change also helps to determine whether languages are related.
{| class="wikitable"
!Example
!Standard Gujarati
!LDA
!Meaning
|-
|i.
|pankho - પંખો
|fankho <span lang="ur" dir="rtl">پھنکھو</span>
|fan
|-
|ii.
|aapo - આપો
|aalo <span lang="ur" dir="rtl">آلو</span>
|give
|}
In example i, the sound /p/ in 'pankho', meaning "fan", changes to the sound /f/ in 'fankho', meaning "fan". This change has come due to the interaction of Arabic, as it does not have the sound /p/. A similar case is given in example ii.
''Other examples:''
{| class="wikitable"
!Example
!Standard Gujarati
!LDA
!Meaning
|-
|iii.
|vAL - વાળ
|bAl - <span lang="ur" dir="rtl">بال</span>
|hair
|-
|iv.
|maL - મળ
|mil - <span lang="ur" dir="rtl">مل</span>
|meet
|-
|v.
|vAdaL - વાદળ
|vAdal - <span lang="ur" dir="rtl">وادل</span>
|cloud
|-
|vi.
|kangAL - કંગાળ
|kangAl - <span lang="ur" dir="rtl">کاگل</span>
|poor
|-
|vii.
|kAraN - કારણ
|kAran - <span lang="ur" dir="rtl">کارن</span>
|reason
|-
|viii.
|AngaN - આંગણ
|Angan - <span lang="ur" dir="ltr">آنگن</span>
|courtyard
|-
|ix.
|pahAD - પહાઽ
|pahAr - <span lang="ur" dir="rtl">پھاڑ</span>
|mountain
|-
|x.
|dahAD - દહાઽ
|dahAr - <span lang="ur" dir="rtl">دھاڑ</span>
|lion roar
|-
|xi.
|soDam - સોઽમ
|soram - <span lang="ur" dir="rtl">سورم</span>
|smell
|-
|xii.
|kadvAS - કઽવાશ
|kadvAs - <span lang="ur" dir="rtl">کڑواس</span>
|bitterness
|-
|xiii.
|mithAS - મિઠાશ
|mithAs - <span lang="ur" dir="rtl">متھاس</span>
|sweetness
|-
|xiv.
|Su - શું
|su - <span lang="ur" dir="rtl">سوں</span>
|what
|}
In example iii, the retroflex sound /L/ in vaL meaning "hair" changes to the alveolar /l/ in bAl. Similar cases are shown in iv, v and vi. In example vii, the retroflex sound /N/ in 'kAran', meaning "reason", changes to the alveolar sound /n/ in 'kAran'. A similar case is shown in example viii. In example ix, the retroflex sound /D/ in 'pahAD', meaning "mountain", changes to the alveolar sound /r/ in 'pahAr'. Similar cases are shown in examples x and xi. In example xii, the postalveolar sound /S/ in 'kadvAS', meaning "bitterness", changes to the alveolar sound /s/ in 'kadvAs'. Similar cases are shown in examples xiii and xiv.
From the above examples iii to xiv, it is observed that all of the retroflex and postalveolar sounds in Standard Gujarati changes to alveolar sounds in Alavi Bohra. This change is again due to the contact of Arabic and Persian, as the later languages do not possess retroflex and postalveolar sounds, thus they are changed to alveolar sounds in LDA.
From example i to xiv, it can be observed that, though they have borrowed words from Gujarati, the words are themselves blended with Arabic, Urdu and Persian. Thus, Alavi Bohras use an Arabisized form of Gujarati.
{| class="wikitable"
!Example
!Standard Gujarati
!LDA
!Meaning
|-
|xv.
|cap - કપ
|cup <span lang="ur" dir="ltr">کپ</span> ۔
|cup
|-
|xvi.
|barAbar - બરાબર
|barobar <span lang="ur" dir="rtl">برابر</span> ۔
|proper
|-
|xvii.
|hoshiyAr - હોંશિયાર
|hushiyAr <span lang="ur" dir="rtl">ھشیار</span> ۔
|clever
|-
|xviii.
|khushbU - ખુશબૂ
|khushbo <span lang="ur" dir="rtl">خش بو</span> ۔
|fragrance
|}
In example xv, the mid vowel /a/ in 'cap', meaning "cup", changes to the close-mid vowel /u/ in 'cup', meaning "cup", when followed by a stop, similar to example xvi. In example xvi, the open vowel /A/ in 'barAbar', meaning "proper", changes to the close-mid vowel /o/ in 'barobar' when followed by a stop. The same is the case with examples xvii and xviii, where the close-mid vowel of the end vowel of /o/ changes to /u/.  Thus, if open and mid-vowels are followed by a stop/plosive sound, they change to close-mid vowels.
{| class="wikitable"
!Example
!Standard Gujarati
!LDA
!Meaning
|-
|xix.
|kem - કેમ
|kim - کیم
|why
|-
|xx.
|em - અેમ
|im - ایم
|that's why
|-
|xxi.
|namak - નમક
|nimak - نمک
|salt
|-
|xxii.
|gaL - ગળ
|gil - گل
|swallow
|-
|xxiii.
|ketla - કેટલા
|kitla - کتلا
|how many/much
|-
|xxiv.
|etla - અેટલા
|itla - اتلا
|this much
|-
|xxv.
|jetla - જેટલા
|jitla - جتلا
|that much
|}
In example xix, the close-mid vowel /e/ in 'kem', meaning "why", changes to the close vowel /i/ in 'kim'. Similarly, in example xx, the close mid vowel changes to a close vowel when followed by the nasal sound /m/. In example xxi, the mid vowel /a/ of 'namak', meaning "salt", changes to the close vowel /i/ in 'nimak' when followed by the nasal sound /m/. Also in example xxii, the mid vowel /a/ of 'gaL', meaning "swallow", changes to the close vowel /i/ in 'gil' when followed by the alveolar sound /l/. This means that if the close-mid and mid vowels are followed by a nasal sound /m/ or alveolar sound /l/, the sound changes to a close vowel. Similarly in example xxiii, the close-mid vowel /e/ in 'ketla', meaning "how many/much", changes to the close vowel /i/ in 'kitla'. Similar cases are shown in examples xxiv and xxv. Thus, close-mid and mid vowels change to close vowels when followed by the nasal sound /m/ or alveolar sound /l/ and /t/.
Thus, from example xv to xxv, we can observe that the open vowels tend to move towards the close vowels, affecting the Gujarati lexicon.
{| class="wikitable"
!Example
!Standard Gujarati
!LDA
!Meaning
|-
|xxvi.
|kyaare - ક્યારે
|kiwaare - <span lang="ur" dir="rtl">کیوارے</span>
|when
|-
|xxvii.
|tyaare - ત્યારે
|tiwaare - <span lang="ur" dir="rtl">تیوارے</span>
|at this time/then
|-
|xxviii.
|jyaare - જ્યારે
|jiwaare - <span lang="ur" dir="rtl">جیوارے</span>
|at that time/then
|}
In example xxvi, the consonant sounds /k/ and /y/ of 'kyaare', meaning "when", are separated by the vowel sound /i/, and the consonant sound /v/ is also infixed in 'kiwaare'. [[Infixation]] is a morphological process whereby a bound morpheme attaches within a root or stem. Infixation is a very common process in Arabic. Similar cases are shown in examples xxvii and xxviii.
A distinctive feature of the [[Semitic languages]] is the triliteral or triconsonantal root, composed of three consonants separated by vowels. The basic meaning of a word is expressed by the [[consonant]]s, and different shades of this basic meaning are indicated by vowel changes. This distinctive feature of Semitic languages may be affecting the Gujarati words in examples xv, xvi, and xix. Thus, this distinctive feature may also be responsible for the vowel changes in examples xv to xix.
Hence, from examples i to xxviii, we can observe that, although they have borrowed words from Gujarati, there is an impact of Arabic, Persian and Urdu due to the [[language contact]]. Also, we can say that these language contacts are affecting the Gujarati language internally.
=== Vocabulary ===
====Semantic Change====
Semantic change is a change in one of the meanings of a word.
{| class="wikitable"
!Ex
!Standard Gujarati
!Meaning
!LDA
!Meaning
|-
|i.
|rasoi - રસોઈ
|to cook
|pakAvvu - پکاوؤ
|to cook/to ripen
|-
|
|pakAvvu - પકાવવું
|to ripen
|pakAvvu - پکاوؤ
|to cook/to ripen
|}
In the above example, in standard Gujarati 'rasoi' means "to cook" and 'pakavvu' means "to ripen", and in LDA 'pakavvu' means both "to cook" and "to ripen". 'Pakna' means "to cook" as well as "to ripen" in Urdu. Here the meaning of "to ripen" is extended metaphorically. Metaphor in semantic change involves extensions in the meaning of a word that suggest a semantic similarity or connection between the new sense and the original one. Thus, due to the contact of Urdu and metaphorical extension they have dropped the word 'rasoi' and have adopted the word 'pakAvvu' to explain both the senses of to cook and to ripen.
{| class="wikitable"
!Ex
!Standard Gujarati
!Meaning
!LDA
!Meaning
|-
|ii.
|who (nominative)
|I (nominative)
|me (nominative) - میں
|I (nominative)
|-
|
|me (ergative)
|I (ergative)
|me (ergative) - میں
|I (ergative)
|}
In example ii, like in example i, in Gujarati 'who (nominative)' means "I" and 'me (ergative)' means "I", but in LDA, 'me' means "I" in both the cases. Also, in Urdu Language "mE" and in Persian "man" meaning "I" are used in both the cases. Thus, due to the contact of Urdu and Persian and metaphorical extension they have dropped the word 'who' and have adopted the word 'me' to explain both the senses I (nominative) and I (ergative). Thus, from example i and ii, we can observe the impact of Urdu and Persian on Gujarati through metaphorical extension.
====Semantic borrowing====
Semantic borrowing is the process of borrowing the entire semantic meaning from a language. Semantic borrowing occurs when two or more languages come into contact.
{| class="wikitable"
!Ex
!Standard Gujarati
!Borrowed word in LDA
!Meaning
|-
|i.
|bhikAri - ભીખારી
|faqir (Urdu) - فقیر
|beggar
|-
|ii.
|ghar - ઘર
|makAn (Arabic) - مکان
|house
|-
|iii.
|sandeSo - સંદેશો
|peghAm (Persian) - پیغام
|message
|-
|vi.
|salAh - સલાહ
|nasiHat (Arabic) - نصیحۃ
|advice
|-
|v.
|icchA - ઇચ્છા
|khwAhis (Persian) - خواھش
|wish
|-
|vi.
|chopdi - ચોપડી
|kitAb (Urdu) - کتاب
|book
|}
Thus, from the above examples i to vi, it is observed that Alavi Bohras speak borrowed words from Arabic, Persian and Urdu. Hence, they use a particular form of Gujarati permeated with Arabic, some Persian words, and some Urdu words and write in the Arabic script called Lisaan ud-Da'wat il-'Alaviyah. This unique language makes the Alavi Bohras linguistically different from other Bohra sects.
=== Recognition ===
After the 21st [[Fatimid Caliphate|Faatemi]] [[At-Tayyib Abu'l-Qasim|Imam Maulaana at-Taiyeb]] went into seclusion in 528 AH/1134 CE from [[Egypt]], his deputy, legatee and vicegerent, who is called the ''Da'i'' (a spiritual head or a missionary working on the divine command of Imam in seclusion), started a religious mission in the name of Imam at-Taiyeb for the purpose of self-searching and purity wherever Isma'ili-Taiyebi people were staying. This mission came to be known as "''ad-Da'wat ul-Haadiyat ut-Taiyebiyah-الدعوۃ الهادیۃ الطیبیۃ''"<ref name=":2">Rightly Guided Mission of the last Islamic Muhammad and his progeny till the present Da'i Saiyedna Haatim Zakiyuddin saheb</ref> meaning "The Rightly Guided Mission of Imam at-Taiyeb". This religious mission continued in [[Yemen]] between 532&ndash;974 AH (1138&ndash;1567 AD), from the first Da'i Saiyedna Zoeb till the 24th Da'i Saiyedna Yusuf having official language Arabic. During this period, as the time demanded and need arose, many Waali-Mullas (the representatives of Da'i who in his absence is entitled to do all religious activities) were appointed to teach in the Madrasah Taiyebiyah all aspects of the religious and social knowledge to the people. At each place where the Isma'ili-Taiyebi community resided, there used to be a learned and pious mulla who conducted various classes of religious teachings-''dars'' and ''halqah''<ref>A group of pupils who as per their mental capacity take sectarian Islamic knowledge from designated teacher after morning prayers in a mosque</ref> with different groups of students under the direct guidance of the Yemeni Da'i.
[[File:Saiyedna fakhruddin saheb diwan e haseen 1308 AH khazaano ilm no.jpg|alt=Anthology of 41st Da'i|thumb|41st Da'i Saiyedna Jivabhai Fakhruddin saheb wrote this poem (bayt) on acquiring Knowledge in 1914 AD in his anthology Diwaan e Haseen in LDA]]
As the Isma'ili-Taiyebis, residing in Gujarat (Ahmedabad) and nearby areas were very enterprising, enthusiastic, progressive and soulfully involved in business and accordingly in their daily affairs and conduct, they were called "Bohras" (excellent or unique community). Because of their lineage to the 21st Imam at-Taiyeb, they came to be known as Isma'ili Taiyebi Bohras.<ref>Belief in the 6th Imam Isma'ili, the son of 5th Fatemi Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq and 21st Imaam Taiyeb Abul Qasim and the Da'i in his seclusion</ref> In the 9th and 10th century AH, a special delegation used to come to Gujarat from Yemen, where Arabic was in vogue, and teach the local Waali-Mulla by giving necessary instruction from the Da'i, conduct examinations, inspect the madrasahs, and teach Arabic to smart students. Some of these students were sent to Yemen to acquire higher religious education under the inspection of the Da'i himself.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Engineer|first=Asghar Ali|title=The Bohras|publisher=Vikas Publishing House Pvt. Ltd.|year=1993|location=Delhi|pages=115, 116}}</ref> This way the trade and social relations between Yemen, Hind and Sindh<ref name=":3">The representative of Imam, Da'i has these three Jazaa'ir-Islands in his command. He then sends his deputies to other places of the world to see community affairs</ref> became stronger and the lingual expressions, dialects and accents of Arabic, Persian, Urdu and Gujarati got mixed together.<ref>Saiyedna, Fidaali Badruddin - al-Qaraatis ul-'Alaviyah</ref> Keeping the main structure of the Gujarati language intact, normally Arabic, Persian and Urdu words were introduced by the learned people and gradually the community as a whole began using them in their daily and routine conversations.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Deeni Newsletter|first=Mishkaat ul Haadi|date=20 May 2004|title=Apni Zabaan|url=http://alavibohra.org/alavibohra/index.php/archived/archived-aritcles#1425%20AH|volume=1|pages=4|journal=Mishkaat ul-Haadi|via=Alavi Da'wat Library}}</ref>
After the demise of 24th Da’i in Yemen, the seat or the centre of this religious mission, ad-Da’wat ul-Haadiyat ut-Taiyebiyah, in 975 AH/1567 AD was transferred to Ahmedabad.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Hayderali Diwaanji|first=Abd ut Taiyeb|title=Hadaa'iq Sirat e Fozalaa e Ahmedabad|publisher=Matba' e Mohammadi|year=1944|location=Mumbai|pages=20, 21}}</ref> And from the time of 25th Da’i, Saiyedna Jalaal<ref>The first Da'i of India (Ahmedabad) and his period marked the last row of Waali-Mulla (Maulaai)</ref> when he took the reign of Da’wat (mission), the Arabicized Gujarati language took the forefront in recognizing the micro-minority community<ref>The term denotes that in the world Muslims are in minority, then among Muslims Shi'as are in minority, then among Shi'as, Isma'ilis are in minority, then among them are the Bohras and the last are Alavis, who are the smallest group among Bohras</ref> i.e. Bohras to the masses in Western India and it was exclusively spoken by them. This Arabic-blended fantastic offshoot of Gujarati Language survived and its vocabulary prospered because of an active involvement, direct patronage and encouragement from the Da’i.  The 31st Alavi Da'i Saiyedna Hasan Badruddin (d. 1090AH/1679 AD) of Ahmedabad noted for his anthology<ref>This collection of poems consists of Contemporary historic events involving Mughal dignitaries of Ahmedabad known as "Diwaan e Hasan"</ref> in Arabic also wrote Fa'al-Naamah<ref>A book having detailed instruction of seeking betterment for every worldly affairs through Qur'anic verses and the supplications of Ahl ul Bayt</ref> in LDA.  This book gives a clear idea that apart from Arabic, Persian too had a huge influence on the lexicon of LDA.
In Vadodara, 41st Da'i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Jivabhai Fakhruddin (d. 1347 AH/1929 AD) wrote many poems in LDA,<ref>{{Cite book|last=Vezaarat ud-Da'wat ul Haadiyah|first=Markaz ut-Tarbiyah wat Ta'leem|title=as-Sahifat ut-Taiyebiyah|publisher=ad-Da'wat ul Haadiyat ul-'Alaviyah|year=2010|location=Vadodara|pages=10, 11}}</ref> some of them are recited regularly by Alavi Bohras "''Aye Mumino socho zara, duniyaa che aa daar e fanaa''" (O ye believer, this worldly life is but temporary) and "''Khazaano ilm no mushkil-kushaa ni itrat che''" (The treasure of knowledge is the progeny of [[Ali|Ali ibn Abi Talib]], the legatee of [[Muhammad]]). Apart from this 35th [[Da'i al-Mutlaq]] Saiyedna Noorbhai Nuruddin (d. 1178 AH/1764 AD) in Surat compiled ''as-Sahifat un-Nooraaniyah'' having detailed explanation of Ritual Purity (''[[Wudu|wuzu]]'') and Prayer (''[[Salah|namaaz]]'') with supplications along with Q&A of [[Isma'ilism|Isma'ili jurisprudence]] in '''LDA.'''[[File:Majlis a husaini.jpg|alt=Spiritual Head|thumb|Aqaa Maulaa delivering a lecture in LDA in 2016 AD]]
=== Writing system ===
LDA is basically inspired and based on the 28-letter alphabet of Arabic. Because the missionaries had to deal with local people in Gujarat for trade and religious affairs, they included 16 other letters of Gujarati for better communication and expression. LDA thus contained 44 letters. From these, three independent letters, Pe-پ (પ), Che-چ (ચ), and Ghaaf-گ (ગ), are widely used to incorporate Gujarati, Persian and Urdu terminology that cannot be written in the Arabic alphabet. Three other letters modified from Arabic that are used exclusively for Gujarati words are ٹ ,ڈ, and ڑ (ઽ,ટ).
Thirteen other letters are from the Haa-ھ family. "Haa" is mixed with different letters to get letters of different languages, such as baa-haa (بھ,ભ), baa-taa (تھ,થ), baa-ţaa (ٹھ,ઠ), pe-haa (پھ,ફ), jeem-haa (جھ,ઝ), che-haa (چھ,છ), daal-haa (دھ,ધ), ďaal-haa (ڈھ,ઙ), kaaf-haa (کھ,ખ), and gaaf-haa (گھ,ઘ).
'''''28 [[Arabic]] letters used in LDA:'''''
{| class="wikitable"
!Sr. No.
!LDA
letter
!Transliteration
!Example
!Transliteration
!Translation
!Equivalent letter in Gujarati
!Equivalent letter in English
|-
|1.
|ا
|Alif
|اللہ
|Allaah
|The Almighty
|અ
|A
|-
|2.
|ب
|Baa  (be)
|باب
|Baab
|Door
|બ
|B
|-
|3.
|ت
|Taa  (te)
|تمام
|Tamaam
|Complete
|ત
|T
|-
|4.
|ث
|Ṯhaa  (se)
|ثمر
|Ṯhamar
|Fruit
|સ઼઼
|Ṯ
|-
|5.
|ج
|Jeem
|جلال
|Jalaal
|Glory
|જ
|J
|-
|6.
|ح
|Ḥaa  (he)
|حسد
|Ḥasad
|Jealousy
|હ઼
|Ḥ
|-
|7.
|خ
|Khaa  (khe)
|خادم
|Khaadim
|Servant
|ખ઼
|Ḵh
|-
|8.
|د
|Daal
|دراز
|Daraaz
|Long
|દ
|D
|-
|9.
|ذ
|Ḍhaal (zaal)
|ذخيره
|Dhakheerah
|Treasure
|ઝ્
|Ḍh
|-
|10.
|ر
|Raa  (re)
|رحمة
|Rahmat
|Grace
|ર
|R
|-
|11.
|ز
|Zay  (ze)
|زمين
|Zameen
|Land
|ઝ
|Z
|-
|12.
|س
|Seen
|سحر
|Sahar
|Morning
|સ
|S
|-
|13.
|ش
|Sheen
|شکر
|Shukr
|Thanks-giving
|શ
|Sh
|-
|14.
|ص
|Ṣaad  (suad)
|صبر
|Ṣabr
|Patience
|સ્
|Ṣ
|-
|15.
|ض
|Ẓaad  (zuaad)
|ضمانة
|Ẓamaanat
|Security
|ઝ઼
|Ẓ
|-
|16.
|ط
|Ṭoe
|طاقة
|Ṭaaqat
|Strength
|ત઼
|Ṭ
|-
|17.
|ظ
|Żoe
|ظالم
|Żaalim
|Tyrant
|ઝં
|Ż
|-
|18.
|ع
|'Ain
|عقل
|'Aql
|Intellect
|અ્
|'A
|-
|19.
|غ
|Ghain
|غلط
|Ghalat
|Wrong
|ગ
|Gh
|-
|20.
|ف
|Faa  (fe)
|فجر
|Fajar
|Dawn
|ફ
|F
|-
|21.
|ق
|Qaaf
|قلم
|Qalam
|Pen
|ક઼
|Q
|-
|22.
|ك
|Kaaf
|كرم
|Karam
|Blessing
|ક
|K
|-
|23.
|ل
|Laam
|لب
|Lab
|Lips
|લ
|L
|-
|24.
|م
|Meem
|مال
|Maal
|Money
|મ
|M
|-
|25.
|ن
|Nun
|نجم
|Najm
|Star
|ન
|N
|-
|26.
|ه
|Haa  (he)
|هفته
|Haftah
|Week
|હ
|H
|-
|27.
|و
|Waaw
|وزن
|Wazan
|Weight
|વ
|W
|-
|28.
|ي
|Yaa  (ye)
|ياد
|Yaad
|Remembrance
|ય
|Y
|}
'''''6 letters of different languages used in LDA:'''''
{| class="wikitable"
!Sr. No.
!LDA
letter
!Transliteration
!Example
!Transliteration
!Translation
!Equivalent letter in Gujarati
!Equivalent letter in English
|-
|29.
|ٹ
|Ťe
|ٹامٹو
|Ťaameto
|Tomato
|ટ
|Ť
|-
|30.
|ڈ
|Ďaal
|ڈاڑم
|Ďařam
|Pomegranate
|ડ
|Ď
|-
|31.
|ڑ
|Řaa
|پھاڑ
|Pahaař
|Mountain
|ઙ
|Ř
|-
|32.
|پ
|Pe
|پنکھو
|Pankho
|Fan
|પ
|P
|-
|33.
|چ
|Che
|چکلي
|Chakli
|Sparrow
|ચ
|Ch
|-
|34.
|گ
|Gaaf
|گاي
|Gaai
|Cow
|ગ
|G
|}
'''''10 Gujarati letters derived from the Haa (ﻫ) family used in LDA:'''''
{| class="wikitable"
!Sr. No.
!LDA
letter
!Transliteration
!Example
!Transliteration
!Translation
!Equivalent letter in Gujarati
!Equivalent letter in English
|-
|35.
|بھ
|Bha
|بھاري
|Bhaari
|Heavy
|ભ
|Bh
|-
|36.
|تھ
|Tha
|تھالي
|Thaali
|Plate
|થ
|Th
|-
|37.
|ٹھ
|Ťha
|ٹھوکر
|Ťhokar
|Stumbling
|ઠ
|Ťh
|-
|38.
|پھ
|Pha
|پھول
|Phool
|Flower
|ફ
|Ph
|-
|39.
|جھ
|Jha
|جھنڈو
|Jhando
|Flag
|ઝ
|Jh
|-
|40.
|چھ
|Cha
|چھاتي
|Chaati
|Chest
|છ
|Ch
|-
|41.
|دھ
|Dha
|دهومو
|Dhumo
|Smoke
|ધ
|Dh
|-
|42.
|ڈھ
|Ďha
|ڈهكن
|Ďhakkan
|Lid
|ઢ
|Ďh
|-
|43.
|كھ
|Kha
|كھيتر
|Khaytar
|Farm
|ખ
|Kh
|-
|44.
|گھ
|Gha
|گھر
|Ghar
|House
|ઘ
|Gh
|}
== Language Influence on Names ==
Humans devised names to identify different things. The 99 beautiful names - [[Names of God in Islam|al-Asmaa ul-Husnaa]] - described in the holy Qur'an and assigned to Allah are in fact the qualities of His representative-Prophet who will spiritually elevate a believer in the eyes of Allah for his eternal journey. These Prophets from [[Adam]] till [[Muhammad|Mohammad]], has names either in [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] or in [[Arabic]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Grant|first=Anthony P.|title=The Oxford Handbook of Language Contact|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2019|isbn=9780199945092|location=New York, USA|pages=34}}</ref>  In the beginning of [[Islam]], among Arabs and non-Arabs in and around [[Arabian Peninsula|Arabian peninsula]], Muslims followed the tradition of naming their children after the names of Prophets, their companions, historic events and places, honorific titles of learned men, Qur'anic words etc.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Yusuf|first=Prof. S. M.|title=Studies in Islamic History and Culture|publisher=Adam Publishers & Distributors|year=2005|isbn=9788174350954|location=New Delhi|pages=219}}</ref>  This tradition continued in almost all sects of Islam.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Damrosch|first=David|title=World Literature in Theory|publisher=Wiley|year=2014|isbn=9781118407691|location=UK|pages=451}}</ref>
After the seclusion of 21st [[Fatimid Caliphate|Fatimid]] Musta'alavi Imam [[At-Tayyib Abu'l-Qasim|at-Taiyeb]] from [[Cairo]] in 528 AH, his missionaries-Du'aat in [[Yemen]] carried forward this tradition with the addition of naming the children after the Fatimid Imams, their titles and companions.  The representatives-''Wulaat'' of Yemeni missionaries in India named their children after their masters-''du’aat''.<ref name=":3" />  But around the tenure of 19th Da'i al Mutlaq [[Idris Imad al-Din|Idrees Imaaduddin]], apart from traditional names, in India local names of Gujarati communities got introduced and included in Bohra society.<ref name=":1" />  From then onwards, these names without having any religious, political or cultural identity became an integral part of Lisaan ud Da'wat.  These names have travelled down to many generations and till now [[Alavi Bohras]] name their children keeping alive their ancestral legacy.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Mujeeb|first=Mohammad|title=Islamic Influence on Indian Society|publisher=Meenakshi Prakashan, The University of Michigan|year=1972|isbn=|location=India|pages=179}}</ref>
To cite an example, we will first examine the non-Islamic names of the authorities in different religious hierarchies attached directly with the affairs and service of the Rightly Guided Mission- ad-Da'wat ul-Haadiyah.<ref name=":2" />
[[File:Daftar dawat 1319 AH.jpg|alt=list of the names of Alavi Bohras who were born and died during the 41st Da'i|thumb|351x351px|Names of Alavi Bohras (birth-death) recorded in a registry during the time of 41st & 42nd Da'i.  These are the names of 1319 AH/1901 AD]]
{| class="wikitable"
! Status
! LDA
! Name
! LDA
! Gujarati
! Period
! Description
|-
|Maulaai
|مولائي
|Bhaarmal & Taarmal
|بھارمل انے تارمل
|ભારમલ અને તારમલ
|487 AH/1094 AD
|Viziers of [[Jayasimha Siddharaja|Siddhraj Jaisinh]], the ruler of Patan
|-
|Maulaai
|مولائي
|Kalaan (Khwaaja)
|کلان) خواجہ)
|કલાન (ખ્વાજા)
|810AH/1407 AD
|Settled in newly built Ahmedabad
|-
|Miya
|میاں
|Maamji
|مامجي
|મામજી
|970 AH/1562 AD
|Martyred while doing ablution in Ahmedabad
|-
|Maulaai
|مولائي
|Khawj
|خوج
|ખૌજ
|1009 AH/1600 AD
|Historian of 26th & 27th  Ahmedabadi missionary in Kapadwanj
|-
|Maulaai
|مولائي
|Raajan
|راجن
|રાજન
|960 AH/1553 AD
|Remained in the service of 24th Yemeni missionary
|-
|Ustaaz
|استاذ
|Shaahuji
|شاھوجي
|શાહૂજી
|997 AH/1588 AD
|Teacher of 27th Ahmedabadi  missionary
|-
|Saiyedna
|سیدنا
|Jivabhai
|جیوا بھائي
|જીવાભાઈ
|1090 AH/1679 AD
|Name of 32nd missionary of Vadodara
|-
|Maa sahebah
|ماں صاحبہ
|Qibu
|قیبو
|કીબુ
|1320 AH/1902 AD
|Mother of 41st missionary of  Vadodara
|-
|Maa sahebah
|ماں صاحبہ
|Raanibu
|راني بو
|રાનીબુ
|1361 AH/1942 AD
|Wife of 42nd missionary of Vadodara
|}
Apart from the dignitaries whose names find mention in the Alavi historical accounts, there are many such names found till date among the common Alavi Bohras who name their children as per the names of their ancestors to keep their memories alive.  Before the migration to [[Vadodara]], Alavi Bohras had names suffixed with either "Khaan" or " Ji" or " Shaah", but after migration in 1110AH/1698 AD this trend gradually got transformed into "Bhai".
{| class="wikitable"
! Male
! LDA
! Gujarati
! Female
! Gujarati
! LDA
|-
|Raaj
|راج
|રાજ
|Jibu
|જીબુ
|جیبو
|-
|Kikabhai
|کیکا بھائي
|કીકાભાઈ
|Buji
|બુજી
|بوجي
|-
|Chaandji
|چاندجي
|ચાંદજી
|Maanek
|માણેક
|مانک
|-
|Abuji
|أبوجي
|અબુજી
|Ratan
|રતન
|رتن
|-
|Jivan
|جیون
|જીવન
|Khaatoon
|ખાતૂન
|خاتون
|-
|Musanji
|موسنجي
|મુસનજી
|Khursheed
|ખુરશીદ
|خورشید
|-
|Taajkhan
|تاجخان
|તાજખાન
|Hira
|હીરા
|ھیرا
|-
|Khanji
|خانجي
|ખાનજી
|Mithan
|મીઠન
|میٹھن
|}
== First Documented Work ==
[[File:Saiyedna shaikh adam saheb 1025 AH (1) with wm.jpg|alt=LDA and the documents of Ahmedabad|thumb|171x171px|One of the First Document having instructions in LDA]]
The missionaries-''Du'aat''<ref>It is the plural of Da'i or a summoner, caller or the designated person authorized to invite people to the Rightly Guided Mission (ad-Da'wat ul-Haadiyah) by an Imam from the progeny of Muhammad</ref> of [[Ahmedabad]] has a distinction over the Du'aat of [[Yemen]].  Yemeni missionaries had their mother tongue Arabic and thus the literature of Taiyebi Isma'ilism<ref>A branch of Isma'ilism established in Yemen after the seclusion of 21st Imam at-Taiyeb.  Missionaries carried out religious mission in his name and they are divinely appointed by his progeny in seclusion.</ref> between 532-975 AH/1138-1568 AD has been entirely written in Arabic.  The same sectarian literature was taught in religious schools-madrasahs under the direct supervision of [[Da'i al-Mutlaq]] to not only Yemeni people but also to those who had come from western India to acquire knowledge of different theological branches.  Clever and dedicated Indian students were elevated to some status and were gradually assigned Da'wah services in India.  Those scholars or designated people-Maulaai who came back to India brought with them the Yemeni Da'wah Arabic.
[[File:Saiyedna shaikh adam saheb 1025 AH (2) with wm.jpg|alt=LDA and the documents of Ahmedabad|thumb|183x183px|Another page from the same work]]
These learned men taught in turn the fundamentals of Taiyebi faith wrapped in the multi-lingual robe. When the 25th Da'i al-Mutlaq Saiyedna Jalaal Fakhruddin (d. 975 AH/1567 AD) was in Ahmedabad and his predecessor was on the throne of Da'wat in Yemen, the last batch of Maulaai from Ahmedabad and other towns were given guidance and training to shoulder the responsibilities of Taiyebi Bohra community.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Abd al-Taiyeb|first=Hayderali|title=Hadaa'iq o Sirat e Fozalaa e Ahmedabad|publisher=Matba' Mohammadi|year=1944|location=Mumbai|pages=76–77}}</ref>  Now the seat and centre of Da'wat e Haadiyah was going to be shifted from Yemen to Ahmedabad.  25th, 26th and 27th Da'is were among the last missionaries to get an opportunity to study in Yemen.  They then ordered scholars to teach clever followers Arabic, Persian and Urdu.  At that time there were at least 140 places in and around Gujarat where all branches of learning were taught in madrasahs to Bohra students.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Khawj|first=Bin Malak|title=Kaukab e Falak|publisher=Matba' Taiyebi|year=1901|location=Mumbai|pages=143}}</ref>  To make religious learning more simple and understandable, scholars made serious efforts in using Gujarati as a medium of communication with masses and thus giving it a new form as Arabicized Gujarati.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Daftary|first=Farhad|title=Historical Dictionary of the Ismailis|publisher=Scarecrow Press, Inc.|year=2012|isbn=978-0-8108-6164-0|location=Maryland|pages=105}}</ref> As the case with many languages, it was initially verbal then got documented and written in many works of missionaries. It was not the work of a day or two, but it took one and a half century to reach its peak.  This coincided with the [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] control over Gujarat in the 17th century AD.<ref name=":1" />
Here, we will examine pages taken from "Sahifat us Salaat" (Book for the Understanding of Prayer) written by the pupil of 29th Da'i al-Mutlaq Ali Shamsuddin (d. 1046 AH/1637 AD) in Ahmedabad during the time of his grandfather 28th Da'i al-Mutlaq Shaikh Aadam Safiyuddin (d. 1030 AH/1621 AD) in 1025 AH/1616 AD.
[[File:Sahifah table 1.jpg|alt=words of old LDA|center|thumb|619x619px|Understanding of some the words of LDA used in the said MSS having old style of writing]]
==See also==
* [[Old Gujarati language]]
== Notes ==
{{noteslist}}
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==Further reading==
* Appel and Muysken. (1987). Language Contact and Bilingualism. U.S.A.: Oxford University Press. Hans Hock, H. and Joseph Brian, D. (1996). Language History; Language Change and Language relationship: An Introduction to Historical and Comparative Linguistics.  New York: Wolter de Groyter, Library of Congress Cataloging in publication data.
* Campbell, L. (1999). Historical Linguistics: An Introduction. London: Edinburgh University Press
* Bomhard, Allan, R. (1984). Toward Proto-Nostratic: A new approach to the comparison of Proto-Indo European and Proto-Afro-Asiatic. Amsterdam: John Benjamin Publishing Company.
* Daftary, F. (2007). The Ismailis: Their history and Doctrines. New York: Cambridge University Press.
* Daftary, F. (1996). Mediaveal Ismaili History and Thought. New York: Cambridge University Press.
* Ismail K. Poonawala, "The Pillars of Islam", Da'aim ul-Islam of al-Qadi al-Nu'man, Oxford University Press, 2002.
* Da'wat e A'laviyah Personal Library: Files of Letters & Correspondence-1815 AD.
* Katamba, F. (1993), Morphology, London: The Macmillan Press Limited.
* Qaraatis ud-Da'wat il-'Alaviyah, Alavi Library, Vadodara.
==External links==
* [http://alavibohra.org/ Official Website of Alavi Bohras with all Community Events and Activities]
{{Gujarati language}}
{{Western Indo-Aryan languages}}
[[Category:Alavi Bohras]]
[[Category:Dawoodi Bohras]]
[[Category:Gujarati language]]
[[Category:Muslim communities of Gujarat]]
[[Category:Shia Islam in India]]