What is Taqwa [WQY] - a New Perspective.
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http//haqeeqat.pk/English%20Tafsir%20e%20Haqeeqat/00.%20Tabweeb/00021.%20Muttaqeen%20Waw%20Qaf%20Ya/0003.A%20Muttaqeen%20Waw%20Qaf%20Ya/8.gif
Active participle; definite with article ; sound plural; Masculine; Genitive; , Form-VIII adds diligence and sincerity to the base meanings of the verb from which active participle is derived.
Classification of human beings
Is it possible that is not an active participle from VIII form of verb with the definite article "Al"? What is the evidence?
Evidence can be provided from current translation. There are places where they couldn't translate this "Al" as "the" and they had to translate as "those who", meaning "Allthahi". Which is what this "Al" stands for.
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Peace Nonetheless.
I agree with your analysis on the whole.
If I may put it another way,is like saying "to have GOD on your mind 24/7".As for "Muttaqeen" and "Muhsineen" ,even though they may be different ,they are linked as in one leads to the other .i.e "Muttaqui" leads one to be "Muhsin".
Thank you for the interesting thread.
GOD willing, I shall come back here with some more of my thoughts.
GOD bless you.
Peace.Peace,
My views
I think 24/7 is too general. One can be in a state of submission , believe , commitment , and other states 24/7 with God in mind .Taqwa = Allah-centered is opposed of self-centered or ego-centered.
I believed a muttagina is one who is Allah-centered to the degree that all his/her acts are toward good acts/conduct , thus mushineena .
Muttagina reflect the Taqwa in the sense of anchoring and centered on Allah while mushineena relates to the potential to do good works and conduct.
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It is a term. What is the difference between a word and a term? A word is usually defined as a complete meaningful element of a language. All terms are words, but not all words are terms. A term is a particular definition of a word, which is applicable to a special situation. Terms occur only in the process of communication. They occur when the writer tries to avoid ambiguity and a reader follows his use of words. This term signifies persons who are embodiment of what is denoted by the verbal noun intensive cautiousness, wariness, fending off. It signifies such people who endeavour for ultimate success by remaining mindful and cautious and avoid unrestrained conduct, in reverence and fear of Allah the Exalted.Classification of human beings
Peace,
I agree 'term' has more cognitive elements than a 'word'.
Note I use "concept" in this case;A concept is an abstract idea representing the fundamental characteristics of what it represents. Concepts arise as abstractions or generalisations from experience or the result of a transformation of existing ideas.
The concept is instantiated (reified) by all of its actual or potential instances, whether these are things in the real world or other ideas.
Concepts are treated in many if not most disciplines both explicitly, such as in linguistics, psychology, philosophy, etc., and implicitly, such as in mathematics, physics, etc.
In informal use the word concept often just means any idea, but formally it involves the abstraction component. These concepts are then stored in long term memory. wikiThe root WQY is used over 200 times in the Quran in a wide variety of context. The question is what is the main concept as essence underlying the concept of muttagina.
http//haqeeqat.pk/English%20Tafsir%20e%20Haqeeqat/00.%20Tabweeb/00021.%20Muttaqeen%20Waw%20Qaf%20Ya/0003.A%20Muttaqeen%20Waw%20Qaf%20Ya/8.gifMy view is the essence underlying the concept 'muttagina' is 'Allah-centered' or 'Allah-centeredness' and the rest of the qualities are the forms/accidents of the essence/substance.
https//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essence
https//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accident_(philosophy) -
Is it possible that is not an active participle from VIII form of verb with the definite article "Al"? What is the evidence?
Evidence can be provided from current translation. There are places where they couldn't translate this "Al" as "the" and they had to translate as "those who", meaning "Allthahi". Which is what this "Al" stands for.
Relative Pronouns are definite. They are referent for the antecedent. They start a dependent clause to highlight characteristics of the antecedent.
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Peace,
I agree 'term' has more cognitive elements than a 'word'.
Note I use "concept" in this case;The root WQY is used over 200 times in the Quran in a wide variety of context. The question is what is the main concept as essence underlying the concept of muttagina.
http//haqeeqat.pk/English%20Tafsir%20e%20Haqeeqat/00.%20Tabweeb/00021.%20Muttaqeen%20Waw%20Qaf%20Ya/0003.A%20Muttaqeen%20Waw%20Qaf%20Ya/8.gifMy view is the essence underlying the concept 'muttagina' is 'Allah-centered' or 'Allah-centeredness' and the rest of the qualities are the forms/accidents of the essence/substance.
https//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essence
https//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accident_(philosophy)Yes, the meaning of word, concept and term is interrelated to each other. However, concept means a general idea.
To be exact, the Root is used for 258 times.
I had stated that feel of awe and reverence for Allah the Exalted are irreducible feature in the term Muttaqeena.
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Relative Pronouns are definite. They are referent for the antecedent. They start a dependent clause to highlight characteristics of the antecedent.
So we agree that this "Al" is not for "the" but a contraction for word "Allathi". How about other part below again?
"that is not an active participle from VIII form of verb"
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Yes, the meaning of word, concept and term is interrelated to each other. However, concept means a general idea.
To be exact, the Root is used for 258 times.
I had stated that feel of awe and reverence for Allah the Exalted are irreducible feature in the term Muttaqeena.
Peace,
I agree the terms 'awe' and 'reverence' is appropriate to represent the term 'muttageena .' e.g. in awe of God or revere God.
However note the OP refer to the root WQY especially in relation to taqwa. Of the 258 times WQY is used in the Quran, it is not precisely related to 'awe' and 'reverence.'
Therefore I am proposing we introduce a more general concept i.e. "God-centered" to rope in more of the 258 cases. I am not saying "God-centered" can represent all the 258 times WQY is used.
Point is one need to be continually "God-centered", then aligned, tuned in, synchronized with God in order to feel that sense of awe and reverence. Disbelievers who reject the Quran and are not in alignment, not in resonance with God will not have any sense of awe nor reverence.
In any case, I believe the term 'taqwa' should not be translated but left as it is and adding the near English words-terms in parenthesis ] in accordance to the context.
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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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