th-y-b

Description

The Arabic root ثيب (th-y-b) carries the core meaning of returning to a previous state or being previously married, specifically referring to a woman who is not a virgin, whether through prior marriage or consummation. In the Quranic context, this root appears in discussions of marriage law and social categories, distinguishing between women who have been previously married (thayyib) and virgins (bikr), which had legal implications for marriage contracts and waiting periods. The significance lies in establishing clear legal distinctions in Islamic family law while maintaining the dignity and marriageability of previously married women in the community.