The Science of the Names of Qur’anic Surahs and Their Unfamiliar Terms

Abstract

Abstract:

This study focuses on explaining the unfamiliar or obscure names of the surahs of the Qur’an. Scholars, both classical and contemporary, have long shown a keen interest in clarifying rare or difficult language, particularly in the context of the Qur’an and Sunnah. Ibn Manẓur states in the introduction to Lisan al-‘Arab: “My sole intention was to preserve the foundational elements of this prophetic language and accurately document its distinctions, as they are the basis for understanding the rulings of the Noble Book and the Prophetic Sunnah.”

A large number of works on gharib al-lugha (unfamiliar vocabulary) have been authored throughout Islamic history. Early efforts typically focused on obscure words within the Qur’anic text itself, with the depth and breadth of these works varying by era. The closer scholars were to the time of prophethood, the more naturally they understood the language and relied less on questioning and commentary. As the generations passed and linguistic purity diminished, these studies expanded in response to increasing need.

This paper argues that the study of obscure Qur’anic vocabulary must remain an ongoing scholarly endeavor. It should not be treated as a completed field whose conclusions have been fully settled. Preserving the language of the Qur’an is essential to preserving Islam itself, fostering a greater connection to the religion, enriching intellectual capacity, and sustaining literary refinement.

Although extensive literature exists on the rare words of the Qur’an, this research seeks to narrow the scope specifically to the rare or unfamiliar elements found in the names of the surahs. Since perceptions of rarity or unfamiliarity are influenced by a scholar’s linguistic background and intellectual framework, such assessments naturally vary. What appears unfamiliar to one scholar may be entirely familiar to another, and vice versa