What does Quran means Quran word meaning
The word "Qur'an" (القرآن) is derived from the Arabic root word "qara'a" (قرأ), which means "to read" or "to recite." The root consists of the consonants qaf (ق), ra (ر), and hamza (أ). The form "Qur'an" itself is typically interpreted as a verbal noun (masdar) of the second form of this root, meaning "the recitation" or "the reading."
### Proto-Semitic Roots
To understand the etymological meaning of "Qur'an," it's useful to trace it back to its Proto-Semitic roots. Semitic languages share a common ancestor, Proto-Semitic, from which many root words are derived.
- The Proto-Semitic root for "qara'a" is likely *qrʕ or *qrʔ, which generally carries the meaning "to call," "to read," or "to proclaim." This root has cognates in other Semitic languages:
- In Hebrew, the root קרא (q-r-ʔ) means "to call" or "to read."
- In Aramaic, the root קרא (q-r-ʔ) also means "to read" or "to call."
### The Meaning in Context
In the context of Islamic tradition, the Qur'an is considered the ultimate recitation. The term emphasizes the oral and recitative nature of the text, reflecting its original transmission and the way it was meant to be experienced and conveyed.
Thus, the etymological journey of the word "Qur'an" reveals a deep connection to the concepts of reading, recitation, and proclamation, which are fundamental to its significance in Islam as the revealed word of God to Prophet Muhammad, intended to be recited aloud.