The Qur’an is not just a religious scripture; it is also a linguistic masterpiece. Every word has been carefully chosen to convey a specific message, and every phrase has a profound meaning. In Surah Tawbah, verse 71, Allah describes the relationship of the believing men and women, وَٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنَـٰتُ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَآءُ بَعْضٍۢ ۚ …
Linguistic Gems from the Qur’an, Day Nineteen: Unity Read More »
In the Qur’an, numerous verses address believers or discuss the advantages of their belief. One such example is found in Surah al-An’am, verse 82: ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَلَمْ يَلْبِسُوٓا۟ إِيمَـٰنَهُم بِظُلْمٍ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمُ ٱلْأَمْنُ وَهُم مُّهْتَدُونَ Those who believe and do not cloak their faith in wrongdoing will feel more secure and will be [better] guided. …
Linguistic Gems from the Qur’an, Day Eighteen: Faith Read More »
Allah says in Surah al-Baqarah, verse 214, أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَن تَدْخُلُوا۟ ٱلْجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَأْتِكُم مَّثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ خَلَوْا۟ مِن قَبْلِكُم ۖ مَّسَّتْهُمُ ٱلْبَأْسَآءُ وَٱلضَّرَّآءُ وَزُلْزِلُوا۟ حَتَّىٰ يَقُولَ ٱلرَّسُولُ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مَعَهُۥ مَتَىٰ نَصْرُ ٱللَّهِ ۗ أَلَآ إِنَّ نَصْرَ ٱللَّهِ قَرِيبٌۭ Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while such [trial] has not yet …
Linguistic Gems from the Qur’an, Day Seventeen: Trials and Tests Read More »
There is no doubt that the most frequently mentioned names of Allah are al-Rahman الرحمن and al-Rahim الرحيم, as they appear in the basmala (saying bismillah al-Rahman al-Raheem بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم ), which precedes every chapter (but one) of the Quran and is recited by Muslims before initiating any task. The consistent mention …
Linguistic Gems from the Qur’an, Day Sixteen: Mercy Read More »
Allah said in Surah ‘Abasa verses 34-37, يَوْمَ يَفِرُّ ٱلْمَرْءُ مِنْ أَخِيهِ (٣٤) وَأُمِّهِۦ وَأَبِيهِ (٣٥) وَصَـٰحِبَتِهِۦ وَبَنِيهِ (٣٦) لِكُلِّ ٱمْرِئٍۢ مِّنْهُمْ يَوْمَئِذٍۢ شَأْنٌۭ يُغْنِيهِ (٣٧)On the Day a man will flee from his brother (34) And his mother and his father (35) And his wife and his children (36) For every man, that …
Linguistic Gems from the Qur’an, Day Fifteen: Kinship Read More »
Allah says in Surah al-An’am verse 97, وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلنُّجُومَ لِتَهْتَدُوا۟ بِهَا فِى ظُلُمَـٰتِ ٱلْبَرِّ وَٱلْبَحْرِ ۗ قَدْ فَصَّلْنَا ٱلْـَٔايَـٰتِ لِقَوْمٍۢ يَعْلَمُونَAnd it is He who placed for you the stars that you may be guided by them through the darknesses of the land and sea. We have detailed the signs for …
Linguistic Gems from the Qur’an, Day Fourteen: Knowledge Read More »
The Quran is a rich source of guidance and wisdom, and its language is nuanced and layered with meaning. One example of this is the use of different words to convey the concept of ungratefulness. While derivatives from the root ك ف ر, such as كَفورٌ kafoor and كَفّارٌ kaffaar, are the most common …
Linguistic Gems from the Qur’an, Day Thirteen: Ungratefulness Read More »
In the Quran, there is a principle that when the addressee is likely to have doubts or resistance towards the message being communicated, the message should be emphasised using a particle of linguistic emphasis. This principle is evidenced in verse 7 of Surah Ibrahim, which reads: لَئِن شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ ۖIf you are grateful, …
Linguistic Gems from the Qur’an, Day Twelve: Gratitude Read More »
The concept of difficulty being followed by ease is a common theme throughout the Quran. It provides comfort to believers, reminding them that they will not be left alone in their struggles and that they should trust in Allah’s plan for them. However, the specific wording used in each verse can offer insight into the …
Linguistic Gems from the Qur’an, Day Eleven: Suffering Read More »
When we hear the word dawah, we tend to automatically associate it with calling non-Muslims to Islam. But this is only one of the meanings that it can bear. Linguistically, دعوة da’wah comes from the same root as دعاء du’aa – د ع و. This root, in its most basic form, alludes to the …
