kh-l-l

Description

The Arabic root خ-ل-ل (kh-l-l) carries the core semantic meaning of penetration, intermingling, or entering into the gaps or interior spaces of something. In the Quranic context, this physical concept of interpenetration extends metaphorically to describe intimate friendship and close companionship, where one person enters into the inner circle or private space of another's life. This root thus captures both spatial concepts (being in the midst of something, between things) and the profound social bond of khalīl (intimate friend), most notably used to describe Prophet Ibrahim's special relationship with Allah as khalīl Allāh (the intimate friend of God).