Our discussion continued, and I said, "The verb 'taṣanna' (تَصَنَّعَ) is derived from 'ṣan'a' (صَنَعَ), meaning to make or do." He replied, "As for 'sha'ala' (شَاعَلَ), it is not possible for it to be a verb with a direct object, nor can the verb be transitive to a direct object. Thus, our verb 'tafā'ala' (تَفَاعَلَ) reflects the meaning that was in its active participle." This is like saying, "I wanted to make" (أَرَدْتُ أَنْ أَصْنَعَ), which was in "I struck Zayd" (ضَرَبْتُ زَيْدًا), has now become "We struck each other" (تَضَارَبْنَا). This is because the verb 'tafā'ala' (تَفَاعَلَ) is not transitive to a direct object, and Zayd, whom you mentioned, is not a direct object. Sibawayh said, "It is possible for the verb to be originally transitive to two objects, and then a direct object is brought in for 'tafā'ala' (تَفَاعَلَ)." This is like saying, "I gave Zayd the cloak and I gave him the money." The first direct object in "tafā'ala" (تَفَاعَلَ) becomes the subject, and the second remains as it is. His saying, "I yielded" (أَسْمَحْتُ) means "I was submissive and compliant." His saying, "I bent a branch" (هَصَرْتُ بِغُصْنٍ) is like saying, "I bent a branch." It is as if it were a branch. And "the branch" (الشِّمْرَاخ) is a slender branch. Similar to this is the saying of Al-A'sha: "It became a heart, and it was a kernel."

The word "ṣa'ūbiyyah" (صُعُوبِيَّة) is the plural of "ṣa'ūbah" (صُعُوبَة), meaning difficulty. The word "dhalūl" (ذَلُول) refers to a docile animal, between meekness and submission. The word "dhalīl" (ذَلِيل) means a meek person. In the verse, it means a demon.

And submission to what is loved and considered good. His saying, "Our speech" (كَلامُنَا) means "we became."