 the south is called the fertile because it fertilizes the clouds. the north is called the barren because it does not produce clouds. just as they called the south fertile they called the north barren because it does not bear as it bears. 4 and katheer said
فاللاقح، الجنوب لأنها تلقح السحاب. والحائل، الشمأل لأنها عنده لا تنشىء سحابا. وكما سموا الجنوب لاقحا، سموا الشمال عقيما لأنها عندهم لا تحمل كما تحمل ٤ وقال كثير