زَادٌ

Provisions, or a stock of provisions, for travelling (S, L, Msb, TA) and for a fixed residence: (L, TA:) plural أَزْوَادٌ (L, Msb) and أَزْوِدَةٌ; the latter anomalous. (L.)

And hence, as being likened thereto, (tropical:) Any deed, or acquirement, whether good or evil, whereby one becomes changed in state, or condition; (L;) [or rather, whereby one provides for a change of state, or condition, like as a traveller provides for a journey.] It is said in the Qur'an, 2:193, فَإِنَّ خَيْرَ الزَّادِ ↓ وَتَزَوَّدُوا التَّقْوَى (L) meaning, [as is implied in the L, (tropical:) And make ye provision; but verily the best acquirement whereby to provide for a change of state, or condition, is fear of God, or piety: or the meaning is] and prepare ye provisions for your journey; and verily the best provision is that whereby one provides against begging from others, &c. (Jel.)

[It is also said to be used as meaning (assumed tropical:) Salutation and the returning of a greeting. (De Sacy's Chrest. Ar., ii. 415, q. v.)]