SeiTT (asker) Apr 11, 2013:

Much obliged - all clear now.

Younes Mostafaei Apr 11, 2013:

It does carry the truth!

SeiTT (asker) Apr 11, 2013:

Ring of truth Indeed, that's the idea of حجت, isn't it? That it carries the ring of truth with it. We Christians get the same feeling from the Bible - the absolute ring of truth it carries in everything.

SeiTT (asker) Apr 11, 2013:

Much obliged - indeed, as you suggested, "final (or last) word" has certainly started to ring true for me.

Younes Mostafaei Apr 11, 2013:

I rather be more careful with pronouncement! I believe they are different from each other. While pronouncement carries the idea of importance with itself, it may fail to convey the most important part,i.e. the solid proof/reason. But both terms have the concept of being important.
حجت الاسلام is used for the same reason. it literally means reason and logic for Islam and for the guidance of Islam and Muslims.

SeiTT (asker) Apr 11, 2013:

Pronouncement? Many thanks, Younes, truly most enlightening.

Perhaps we could take حجت as "pronouncement", i.e, a word (in the sense of "statement") full of portent and importance. What do you think?
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/pronouncement?r=66

Isn't that the basic idea behind the same word in حجة الإسلام‎ - the idea that this man's words / statements / judgements are pronouncements which truly carry weight and importance?

Younes Mostafaei Apr 11, 2013:

It should be noted that Final word/declaration is actually a kind of generalization and a free rendering. If you would like to have a more precise translation you may opt for: I have brought for you all and last of my reasons/proofs.

Hope this will be helpful!

Younes Mostafaei Apr 11, 2013:

Comprising Parts The word is comprised of two parts, as you mentioned. اتمام and حجت, If we go for a word for word rendering we can assume final/last for اتمام (here is a shift from noun > اتمام to an adjective > final) and word for حجت. But these two terms have somehow different meanings. حجت is an Arabic term, itself being a derivation of حج meaning قصد or purpose/ aim, which means sth which is clear and has limits and is used to express ones message and to clear all excuses.
So حجت is a clear reason or logic which one uses to firmly express his purpose or to provide firm proof for it.
Generally two sides are involved when the term حجت is used, for and against. The person who has حجت (has a purpose) uses any clear, firm and solid reasons for what he says to leave no excuse for the other person to whom the حجت is brought.
As a result when sb says من حجت را بر تو تمام کردم or من با تو اتمام حجت کردم s/he means that I have brought all clear, firm and solid proofs and reasons for you and you have no reason or excuse to deny it.
To sum it up: حجت means reason/logic (sb uses to prove his purpose) and اتمام means to bring all and last reasons,logic and proofs.

SeiTT (asker) Apr 11, 2013:

Word for word Thank you so much - اتمام حجّت is made up of two parts, اتمام and then حجّت. How would you translate each of these words here to show how the language of the expression حجّت works?

Younes Mostafaei Apr 10, 2013:

Sure it is a correct use of Persian word, but it's a bit far from the exact meaning of its English counterpart. Declare simply means بيان ىاشتن، اعلام کردن or گفتن. So in order to catch the closest equivalence we need to add final or last to it.

Mitra Mousavi Apr 10, 2013:

I think it a true use of Persian word and it means I stop persuading or adving you and his last demand or offer is ۲۸مراقب خود و تمامی گله‌ای که روح‌القدس .....

Younes Mostafaei Apr 10, 2013:

Dear Simon! The Persian one offers a free translation where the word declare has been translated as اتمام حجت. But the expression can also mean (my final declaration, my final word).