Document Type : Original
Author
Corresponding Author, Associate Professor, Department of Qur’anic Sciences and Hadith, Faculty of Humanities, Arak University, Arak, Iran
Abstract
Semantics is an appropriate method for clarifying the semantic network of Qur’anic vocabulary and, consequently, understanding the discourse of the Holy Qur’an. Among important Qur’anic terms is the word “fiṭrah,” whose precise meaning requires attention to its semantic field, so that through conceptual and usage features, the implicit meaning of the word can be extracted. This study, employing a descriptive-analytical approach and utilizing domain-based and patterned semantics methods, aims to describe the semantic pattern of fiṭrah in the Qur’an and examine its semantic components such as collocations, substitutions, and antonyms. The research findings show that fiṭrah has a central semantic pattern which is “a transformation that entails the negation of the previous state,” while other semantic patterns such as splitting, creation, revealing, etc., also point to this meaning. However, the usage of this term in the contexts of infiṭār and tafattur carries an anti-order meaning, representing a transformation from a state of prosperity to destruction. In terms of collocations, fiṭrah frequently co-occurs with words like deen (religion), Allah (God), and tabdīl (transformation). Additionally, collocates of the root f-ṭ-r are also noteworthy. Regarding substitution, roots such as bid'a (innovation), khalq (creation), and rabb (Lord) may substitute for fiṭrah, although fiṭrah itself has no direct substitute in the Qur’an. Fiṭrah carries a specific function in the Qur’anic language which, considering its template components including the bearers of fiṭrah, the source of fiṭrah, frequency of use of the term, states of fiṭrah, functions of fiṭrah, and deniers of fiṭrah allows for a comprehensive explanation of the semantic pattern of fiṭrah in the Qur’an.
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