Critical Studies on the Quranic Exegesis

Critical Studies on the Quranic Exegesis

Praising God by Creatures in the Qurʾān: A Historical Semantic Approach

Document Type : Original article

Authors
mohammadmahdi farrahi 1
Mohammad Hosein 2
1 PhD in Qurʾān and Hadith Sciences, Farabi Campus,University of Tehran, Qom, Iran.
2 PhD in Qurʾān and Hadith Sciences, Department of Qurʾān and Hadith Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
10.22034/naghdeara.2024.193492
Abstract
The concept of all beings glorifying God is frequently mentioned in various verses of the Holy Quran. Many verses discuss the glorification by all that exists in the heavens and the earth and it is revealed in one of the Quranic verses that everything glorifies God with praise: 'There is not a thing but celebrates His praise' (Al-Isra 17:44). The nature of how beings glorify is a theological and philosophical issue within Islamic culture. Addressing this question, some scholars (primarily theologians) have advocated for an inherent form of glorification by beings, while others (mainly philosophers and mystics) have supported the idea of a verbal glorification. This research, employing historical semantics methodology and analyzing the semantic evolution of glorification from pre-Islamic times through the Quranic period and into the Islamic era, strives to transcend this dichotomy. It aims to unearth the meaning of glorification in the Holy Quran and, based on this understanding, provide an appropriate interpretation of the relevant verses. The study concludes that the glorification by beings is a type of 'glorification with praise,' which is an expression of desire and enthusiasm towards the Creator of the universe. Therefore, contrary to common beliefs, beings do not engage in either verbal or inherent glorification.
 
Keywords
Glorification
Creatures' Tasbih
Commentators
Historical Semantics

Subjects

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Critical Studies on the Quranic Exegesis
Volume 4, Issue 2 - Serial Number 8
March 2024
Pages 141-170

  • Receive Date 17 January 2024
  • Revise Date 03 April 2024
  • Accept Date 03 April 2024