Semantic Layers « shafaat» in the Quran

Abstract

One of the most important notions in the Qur'an is the word “Shafāʽah” (Intercession) that causes the reflection and in-depth pondering of any Qur’anic scholars. Although attempts of philologists, exegetes, theologians, and scholars have been done in order to explain some of its semantic layers, all components and layers of its meaning have not yet been investigated through a semantic approach. Considering its semantic range in the Qur’an, the meaning of this word is extracted in relation to other key words including nuṣrat, wilāyat, etc. that many of its semantic components should be sought in the higher layers. The present research, with regard to the semantic method which is an analytical and accurate study of the text, clarifies the semantic meaning of the word “shafāʽah” and its components in the holy Qur’an. Findings show that the word regarding its succeeded concepts of nuṣrat (helping) and wilāyat (initiatory power), its related concepts of nuṣrat (helping), ta’īd (improving), najāt (saving), and faḍl (virtue), and its opposite concepts of la'n (cursing), ḥabṭ-i ʼaʽmāl (ruining deeds), and severe punishment in the World and the Hereafter, is in a single semantic range. Discovering the semantic components of “shafāʽah” leads to more manifestation of shining Qur’anic notions for true researchers, avoidance of segregated and selective understandings, and showing the specific and systematic worldview of the Holy Qur'an.

Keywords

• shafāʽah
• nuṣrat
• wilāyat
• faḍl
• semantics