What is Taqwa [WQY] - a New Perspective.
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Meanings of an Arabic word is the sum total of meanings of its Root; the meanings added by its morphology and the meanings added by its collocates, relational words influencing it.
Real question, is it one word from a single root or two words from two different roots written with idhgham with Shadah at Ta?
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Meanings of an Arabic word is the sum total of meanings of its Root; the meanings added by its morphology and the meanings added by its collocates, relational words influencing it.
Peace,
I believe the above principle is applicable to all languages in general. Where there is no root system, then it is reference to the original etymological intent.
However as with all languages, meanings are dynamic and many words do loose their link with the root and original meaning and take on a totally different meaning. For example JHD has different sets of contrasting different meaning and the modern form has also taken a different meaning.
Example, Jihad = struggle, but Jihad = holy war .
As with English, 'gay'= happy or joy, but in modern dictionaries, 'gay' is also homosexuality.
In such cases we cannot rely on root meanings but we have to rely 'its morphology and the meanings added by its collocates, relational words' and its related contexts.In the case of WQY the original meaning is centered on 'protect' 'guard, and the likes.
It then is adopted in the Quran.
From what I have read of the 258 times WQY is used, I believe the most optimal common denominated meaning is 'god-centered'.'Awe' and 'reverence' is most appropriate where the associated noun is 'God' or 'Lord'.
But there are verses where the associated noun is Fire, Day, test, and various other associations. Thus to state it as revere or in awe of a Day , Fire , test , would rather be awkward.
It would be more appropriate to state the believer is god-centered and fear a Day, the Fire or to face a test.
There are many other verses where 'awe' and 'revere' are not the best words to represent the related WQY derivatives. -
For Arabic, the semantic field of all the words remain the same which is of their Root. It is their irreducible semantic feature.
Peace,
Interesting, but not sure how you justified your point.
Note the root K-F-R has 4 semantic fields from the Quran which are distinctively different ;
• 1. Kafara - ungrateful, disbelieve - from cover.
2. kaffara - atonement
3. kafur - camphor
4. kufran - rejected•
Thus I cannot see how the above are reducible to one common semantic field or set.
I had scanned the root concordance for the Quran and noted there are other roots that has different and contrasting semantic fields or set. I have not compiled them but I believe there are many .
As I mentioned the root J-H-D is used as follows;
- Jihad in Quran-only = strive or struggle but,
- Jihad in MSA, is also = holy war
Obviously from the above, the same word root JHD in the above has two semantic fields .
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Root
Words from this Root in the Grand Qur'aan
a) Total occurrences 525
b) No of constructions 97
It occurs in 465 Ayahs in 77 Chapters. It is one of the eight Roots that have more than 524 occurrences in the Divine Discourse.
( ة
That it signifies concealing, veiling, and covering, hedging.
( ب
That it is contra of belief, believing, accepting; i.e. disbelief, rejecting, disavowing.
Contra. Root
Contra Root
The basic perception infolded in the Root is belief - heartily acceptance and pronouncing the infallible reality and its contr. is rejection of the truth without rhyme or reason. These two Roots give the basic classification of humanity into two larger groups
Contd on my website
Root
Please check the words of this Root and see whether or not the basic feature is present in them.
Semantics of Grand Qur'aan -Dictionary of Roots and Lexicon of Qur'aan
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Root
Words from this Root in the Grand Qur'aan
a) Total occurrences 525
b) No of constructions 97
It occurs in 465 Ayahs in 77 Chapters. It is one of the eight Roots that have more than 524 occurrences in the Divine Discourse.
( ة
That it signifies concealing, veiling, and covering, hedging.
( ب
That it is contra of belief, believing, accepting; i.e. disbelief, rejecting, disavowing.
Contra. Root
Contra Root
The basic perception infolded in the Root is belief - heartily acceptance and pronouncing the infallible reality and its contr. is rejection of the truth without rhyme or reason. These two Roots give the basic classification of humanity into two larger groups
Contd on my website
Root
Please check the words of this Root and see whether or not the basic feature is present in them.
Semantics of Grand Qur'aan -Dictionary of Roots and Lexicon of Qur'aan
Peace,
Noted your analysis at your site and your points.
However you did not address the point that a root is used for contrasting semantic fields in the Quran.Note I mentioned the following earlier;
• 1. Kafara - ungrateful, disbelieve - from cover.
2. kaffara, kaffir - atonement, absolve. 545, 565, 2271, 3193
3. kafur - camphor, 765
4. kufran - rejected - 2194•
Perhaps in 2194 we could say Allah will not be ungrateful to reject what is good from Muslims, thus we can squeeze it into the KFR = ungrateful category.
But surely Kafur = camphor , and kaffara = atonement are very different from the semantic field of Kafara = ungrateful.
Therefore your point;
"For Arabic, the semantic field of all the words remain the same which is of their Root. It is their irreducible semantic feature."
is substantiated based on the above evidence.Views on the above?
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Therefore, whoever, whether be a male or a female, would act and perform some deeds of righteous - moderate import provided he or she is a true believer
Thereby, there will absolutely be no disrespect- non recognition for his effort made;
Be mindful, We are the recorder to put for him his effort in writing.And whoever decisively aspired for the Hereafter, and he exerted for it, its required efforts provided he is a believer;
Thereby, such are the people whose efforts will be recognized appreciatively.Indeed this has been arranged for you people as reward and your efforts have been recognized appreciatively.
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Therefore, whoever, whether be a male or a female, would act and perform some deeds of righteous - moderate import provided he or she is a true believer
Thereby, there will absolutely be no disrespect- non recognition for his effort made;
Be mindful, We are the recorder to put for him his effort in writing.And whoever decisively aspired for the Hereafter, and he exerted for it, its required efforts provided he is a believer;
Thereby, such are the people whose efforts will be recognized appreciatively.Indeed this has been arranged for you people as reward and your efforts have been recognized appreciatively.
Peace,
Sorry, Correction to my earlier statement;
Therefore your point;
"For Arabic, the semantic field of all the words remain the same which is of their Root. It is their irreducible semantic feature."
is NOT substantiated based on the above evidence.You seem to have deviated from our original point.
2194 has a term with root KFR but 1719 and 7622 do not has any term with root KFR maybe perhaps ShKR .
So I am sure what point you are making here? -
and kaffara = atonement are very different from the semantic field of Kafara = ungrateful.
Thereby, whoever forgoes the excess-wrong done to him, thereat, it is for him an expiation .
What is atonement - expiation!!
It veils some wrong done.
If you diligently avoid committing major and grave sins that cause serious and deep-rooted disturbance in society, which you are being specifically warned to refrain from
We would like to absolve - hide from you your minor omissions and commissions;
And We would cause you honorably enter in the place of par excellence. -
However you did not address the point that a root is used for contrasting semantic fields in the Quran.
The Root has specific, defined, distinct, conspicuous and apparent concept, phenomenon, perception and signification folded in it. It is the source, the reservoir of knowledge. Roots can be termed as "repertory of frames" of Arabic language if we follow frames approach to semantic analysis.
A root does not have contrasting semantic fields. It can however have convergent meanings.
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