Semantics of Qurʾanic Language: <i>al-Āḫira</i>

Book Description

Ghassan el Masri presents a profound exploration of one of the Quran's most significant concepts through rigorous linguistic analysis. This scholarly work examines al-Āḫira, meaning "the End," revealing how this pivotal term operates within the sacred text's broader theological framework.

The author begins by establishing the foundation of semantic etymology as understood in late antiquity, demonstrating how this analytical approach unlocks the Quran's sophisticated rhetorical methods. Through this lens, readers discover how the text establishes its authority within the rich tradition of Abrahamic theology.

El Masri's investigation reveals that al-Āḫira functions as a multifaceted concept, carrying layers of meaning that accommodate diverse interpretations. Rather than presenting a single, fixed understanding, the study illuminates the term's semantic richness and theological flexibility.

What distinguishes this work is its comprehensive methodology, drawing extensively from Biblical sources and incorporating numerous verses from pre-Islamic poetry. This interdisciplinary approach provides readers with a fuller understanding of how the Quranic concept developed within its historical and literary context.

For those seeking deeper comprehension of sacred language and its interpretive possibilities, this study offers valuable insights into how meaning operates within religious discourse. The work demonstrates how careful linguistic analysis can reveal the sophisticated ways spiritual texts communicate complex theological ideas across different interpretive traditions.