Title: The Word for 'Orphan' in the Qur'anic Arabic Question: My question relates to the word "orphan" in Qur'anic Arabic. I understand that the word for orphan is " Yateem ." Could you please give the ways to write orphan in Qur'anic Arabic for the following: Orphan boy Orphan girl Two orphan boys Two orphan girls More than two orphan boys More than two orphan girls Plural orphans (including boys and girls) Your quick response will be greatly appreciated. The answer to this question could mean the difference between breaking up of a family or uniting of a family. So please reply as soon as possible. I will be ever grateful. Allah Hafiz Answer: The Qur'an has used the word " yateem " for orphans (duo form: " yateemayn " and plural form: " yataama "). The word ' yateem ' can be used as a generic word for both orphan girl(s) and orphan boy(s). However, where a gender or a number distinction is required to be made, the following words may be used respectively: for an orphan boy; for an orphan girl; for two orphan boys; for two orphan girls; and for more than two orphan boys/orphan girls/orphan boys and girls. I hope this helps. In case any aspect of my answer remains unclear, please feel free in writing back to me at your own convenience. However, it is quite worrying to know that an issue as grave as breaking-up of a family depends on such a matter. 19 th November 1999