The Semantic Components of the Word Religion (Dīn) in the Holy Qur'an

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 PhD student in Quran and Hadith Sciences, University of Quran and Hadith. Qom, Iran.

2 Professor in Quran and Hadith Sciences, the Middle East Studies Department, University of Sydney, Australia

3 Associate Professor in Philosophy and Theology of University of Qom. Qom, Iran

Abstract

The word “religion” (Dīn) is one of the most commonly used terms in the Holy Qur’an, and Islamic scholars have studied its concept from various perspectives. However, its diverse and varied uses in the Qur’an and the methodological problems of previous endeavors have caused it to remain ambiguous. Therefore, it is necessary to examine its meaning using modern methods of semantic analysis. Semantics examines the components and semantic domains of key words in the Qur’an by identifying semantic relationships and their positions in semantic networks of the text, independent of external biases, perceptions, and interpretations. This method is considered effective and valid in this type of study. Based on this approach, this study analyzes the semantic meaning of the term "religion" in the Qur’an by relying on the verses themselves and using a synchronic/diachronic semantic analysis method that determines semantic domains within a framework of semantic relationships such as hyponymy, opposition, collocation and substitution. After this semantic analysis and the delineation of two semantic domains of "worldly" and "the afterlife" for the term "religion" in the Qur’an, its semantic components are identified, leading to a basic definition of this term in the Holy Qur’an.

Keywords

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Biannual Journal of research in the interpretation of Quran
Volume 9, Issue 18
March 2023
Pages 13-51

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History

  • Receive Date: 11 January 2022
  • Revise Date: 06 February 2023
  • Accept Date: 26 April 2023

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