A Comparative Analysis of the Semantic Components of the Phenomenon of Poverty in the Holy Quran with Emphasis on Conceptual Relations

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Quran University of Science and Education

2 PhD student of comparative interpretation of the Holy Quran University of Science and Knowledge

10.22081/jqss.2025.70176.1333

Abstract

The derivatives of words related to poverty and destitution are among the frequently used terms in Islamic teachings. In religious doctrines, poverty and destitution are described as a form of disaster and affliction. The Holy Quran and other religious teachings present comprehensive programs in various forms to eliminate this bitter reality. Lexically, the word faqir (poor) originally refers to a person whose backbone has been broken. The word faqr (poverty) itself has multiple usages and appears in different contexts, and recognizing these distinctions helps resolve apparently contradictory descriptions of this term in Quranic verses and narrations. Poverty is generally classified into three categories: essential (intrinsic), cultural, and economic.Semantics, as one of the key branches of linguistics, plays a fundamental role in the accurate understanding of religious texts, particularly the Holy Quran. Through analyzing conceptual relationships among words, this science uncovers the hidden layers of meaning. In this study, the semantic components of words closely related to the field of poverty and destitution are analyzed through the science of semantics in comparison to faqr and destitution.
This research adopts a comparative-analytical approach and a descriptive-analytical method, relying on semantic studies to examine Quranic vocabulary. It focuses on the analysis of terms such as masghaba, matraba, faqr, imlaq, ba’sa, ‘usra, ‘ayla, miskin, and hajah within their Quranic contexts.
This article aims to clarify the subtle semantic distinctions of Quranic vocabulary within the conceptual field of poverty. With faqr as the focal point—due to its broader and more frequent use—this study systematically explains the semantic components of words that share this semantic domain in comparison to faqr and destitution.
The research proceeds in two main stages: first, it examines the lexical meaning of each word. Next, to identify the intended semantic components of faqr and other related terms in the Quran, it compares their conceptual nuances and explores the fine distinctions in each Quranic usage. The key Quranic words discussed in this study include: Masghaba (Balad 14), Matraba (Balad 16), Faqr (Baqarah 268), Imlaq (Isra 31), Ba’sa (Baqarah 177), ‘Usra (Baqarah 280), ‘Ayla (Tawbah 28), Maskana (Baqarah 61), Hajah (Yusuf 68).
Findings
The findings of this study can be summarized as follows:
Faqr and destitution, the central concepts of this research, are expressed in the Quran through different words, each indicating a particular state, degree, or intensity of poverty and need. The word faqr, which serves as the focal term of this study, appears 13 times in the Quran along with its derivatives. In lexicons, it originally signifies a “fracture” or “gap” in a body part and metaphorically refers to a degree of need or want that denotes any state of deficiency. Imlaq refers to poverty caused by squandering and extravagance. It denotes financial destitution following a state of wealth and abundance. Ba’s—another key word in this semantic field—often occurs with the meaning of battle or war. Its derivatives, such as bu’s and ba’sa, indicate severity and hardship in livelihood and are used to signify poverty and economic difficulty. Hajah conveys a meaning broader than outward poverty or destitution. Beyond the notion of need, it also carries the sense of a desire or longing that drives a person to strive for its fulfillment. In human life, hajah can indicate both material and spiritual deficiency. However, based on the Quranic contexts where it appears, this need often points to an inner, spiritual poverty. Noting this point leads us to the distinction between this word and other terms related to poverty. ‘Ayla also signifies poverty, typically used when a person faces financial hardship. Some scholars maintain that it not only refers to economic poverty but can also indicate inner or spiritual poverty and even a lack of awareness of divine rulings. Maskana denotes poverty accompanied by humiliation, lack of wealth, instability, weakness, and severe need. It may describe a person who is materially wealthy yet afflicted with spiritual or psychological poverty. Matraba, by contrast, refers exclusively to financial poverty. Unlike maskana, which can cover both material and spiritual destitution, matraba specifically describes one who is so poor that he sits upon the dust with no wealth or refuge. Masghaba, though related to hardship, does not directly belong to the semantic field of poverty and destitution. Occurring only once in the Quran, it denotes hunger accompanied by suffering and difficulty, often caused by famine or natural constraints. While it indirectly implies poverty, its primary meaning concerns the hardship of food scarcity.
Regarding the novelty of this research, it can be stated that despite the efforts made in various fields of Islamic studies, there remains a noticeable gap in focused lexical studies of Quranic vocabulary. In fact, what is needed is a systematic investigation that reveals the subtle semantic nuances of the words related to faqr (poverty) and other similar Quranic terms. Accordingly, the present study concentrates on clarifying the semantic components of faqr and its related vocabulary in the Holy Quran.
 

Keywords

References

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History

  • Receive Date: 23 October 2024
  • Revise Date: 06 April 2025
  • Accept Date: 02 September 2025
  • Publish Date: 01 October 2025

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