ضَلَالٌ
1.
[a verbal noun of 1: used as a simple subst.,] Error; opposite of
رَشَادٌ, (S, O, TA,) and of
هُدًى; (K, TA;) as also
ضَلَالَةٌ, (S, O, K,) and
ضَلٌّ, and
ضُلٌّ, and
ضِلَّةٌ, and
ضَلَلٌ, and
ضَلْضَلَةٌ, (K,) and
ضُلَضِلَةٌ, (O, TA,) and
أُضْلُولَةٌ, (K,) of which last the plural is أَضَالِيلُ, (Lth, O, TA,) as in the saying تَمَادَى فِى أَضَالِيلِ الهَوَى [He persevered in the errors of love], (TA,) or أَضَالِيلُ, as some say, has no singular, or its singular is supposed, or has been heard, and is أُضْلُولَةٌ or أُضْلُولٌ or إِضْلِيلٌ or some other form: (MF, TA:) the primary signification of الضَّلَالُ is the going away from the right course, or direction: (Ham p. 357:) or it signifies, according to Ibn-El-Kemál, the loss, or missing, of that which brings, or conducts, to the object sought: or, as some say, the pursuing a way that will not bring, or conduct, to that object: or, according to Er-Rághib, the deviating from the right way: and it is said to be any deviation from that which is right, intentional or unintentional, little or much; because the right and approved way is very difficult; wherefore it may be used of him who commits any mistake whatever, and is imputed to prophets and to unbelievers, though between the ضلال of the former and that of the latter is a wide difference: and in another point of view, it is of two sorts; one is in the speculative departments of knowledge, as in acquaintance with the unity of God, and with the prophetic function or office, and the like, indicated in the Qur'an, 4:135; or it is in the practical departments of knowledge, as in acquaintance with the ordinances of the law, that is, religious services. (TA.)
2.
Also A state of perdition: so in the Qur'an, 54:24: (S, O:) [and in like manner
ضَلَالَةٌ; for] ضَلَالَةُ العَمَلِ signifies The annulled and lost state of work. (TA.)
3.
And Absence, or a state of concealment. (Msb. [This is there said to be the primary signification.])
4.
هُوَ الضَّلَالُ بْنُ التَّلَالِ see explained voce ضُلٌّ.