The difference between Laa (لا) and Maa (ما)

The words لا or ما may be used to negate the perfect verb (past).

The standard method for negating the perfect verb is by using ما before it. For example:

“ما صدّق” means “He did not verify.”

“ما صلّى” means ”He did not pray.”

However, لا can also be used to negate the past, but if this is the case then the requirement is that لا must be repeated.

For example:

فَلَا صَدَّقَ وَلَا صَلَّىٰ

“He neither confirmed, nor did he pray” [75:31]