Document Type : Research Article
Authors
Assistant Professor of Islamic Studies, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran.
Abstract
"Ṣ-D-Q", one of the oldest triconsonantal roots in Semitic languages, is used 155 times in the Holy Qur'an. The words "Ṣadaqah" and "Ṣaduqah" are derivatives of the above-mentioned root. While the former is a familiar word in Islamic culture, used 13 times in Qur'anic verses, the latter is a hapax legomenon in the Holy Qur'an which means bride-wealth. Taking etymological approach, this research aims for the first time to discover the oldest meaning of those two Qur'anic words within the framework of comparative study of Semitic languages. Moreover, this research aims to identify the semantic components of those Qur'anic words. According to etymological data, this study proves that the main semantic components of Qur'anic words "Ṣadaqah" and "Ṣaduqah" are justice and right. Thus, the present article shows that, contrary to the common perception, the word "Ṣidq" alongside "Qisṭ" and "ˁadl" is among the units constituting the semantic field of justice in the Holy Qur'an.
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