According to Raghib Isphahani in Mafuradat “Sanam” is that statue which they fashioned out of silver, lead and wood and worshipped. They thought it was the source of closeness to God. According to Lisan-0l-Arab this word has been derived from the word “Shaman” which belongs to either Farsi or Aramaic language. (1)

Some linguists believe that the difference between “Sanam” and Wasan” is that “Sanam” is the name for those statues that have a particular name and form and “Wasan” are the idols that do not have such specialty.

The word “Ab” is used for father and is sometimes used for a person who is instrumental for the creation of anything, or who amends or corrects something but this meaning is symbolical. Maqayis-ol-Loghata says that this word is used for nurturing (feeding and rearing) because a father gives sustenance to his children. This meaning can be used here.

Kuliyat Abol Wafa says that in the pre-Islamic religions the word “Ab” was used for God because He is the cause of the creation of all beings. Later the ignorant people started using the word for the biological father and became disbelievers by calling God their “Ab”.

According to At-Tahqiq Fi Kalemaat-ol-Qura’n its origin is used for rearing and then it says there are many different uses of this word. It can be used for God, father, Messenger, teacher, paternal uncle and grandfather etc. So we can say that the scope of the meaning of “Ab” as father has a varied application.

1. In Farsi the word “Shaman” means idolater and not idol. See Firhang-e-Moin andGhiyas-ol-Lughat.