1Explaining Fundamental Concepts of "Bald," "Medina," and "Qaryah" in the Holy Quran Regarding the City and Urban Culture with Emphasis on Islamic Texts

Abstract

The type of human life, culture, and thought has been involved in the emergence of the city and urbanization. Humans influence the city and its structure, and the city, in turn, affects humans and their behavior and thoughts. In this article, using the method of semantics, the different semantic domains of the words "bald," "medina," and "qaryah" are explored, investigating why God has used three different words to convey the concept of a city. The research findings indicate that the words "bald," "medina," and "qaryah" in the Quran are employed with different meanings, serving as a reflection of cultural variables, urbanization, and human and social irregularities in society. "Bald" is a general term referring to land, in "medina," the culture of urban living is the criterion, governed by specific laws, and "qaryah" possesses a visible and material settlement.

Keywords

• semantics
• urban culture
• bald
• medina
• qaryah