The Aramaic particle al (אַל, H409) is a negative particle meaning "not" or "do not" — the Aramaic equivalent of the Hebrew al (H408) used in prohibitions and negative expressions. It appears in the Aramaic portions of the book of Daniel, where it functions as a prohibitive negative.
The Aramaic sections of Daniel (chapters 2–7) preserve authentic imperial Aramaic — the administrative language of the Persian and Babylonian empires. In this context, al (not) functions in commands and decrees. The particle appears in Daniel 2:24 where Daniel tells Arioch "Do not execute the wise men of Babylon." This small word carries enormous weight: Daniel's faith in God's revelation through a dream led to the preservation of lives. The prohibitive negative al is itself an act of mercy — stopping a death sentence through divine wisdom.