Al -Damghani and His Book Al-Wujuh wa al-Naza’ir li Alfaz Kitab Allah al-‘Aziz: with an Applied Analytical Comparative Study of the Faces and Implications of the Word "Zakah"

Abstract

This study focuses on the word "zakah" and its derivatives in the Holy Qur’an, based on al-Damghani’s book Al-Wujuh Wa Al-Naza'er Li Alfaz Kitab Allah Al-'Aziz. It follows an analytical and comparative approach. The study begins by explaining the linguistic and technical meanings of zakah, then presents the interpretations mentioned by al-Damghani. After that, it analyzes those interpretations and compares them with what appears in books of interpretation, semantics, rare words, and other sources considered in the study. It also mentions which early scholars and commentators supported each interpretation, discusses their strength or weakness, and explains the basis for each one.

One of the main findings is that the word zakah and its derivatives appear fifty-nine times in the Qur’an with different meanings and uses. Al-Damghani used several methods to explain these meanings, such as interpretation by example, context, root meaning, common usage in the Arabic language, and inferred meaning. Among these, context was the most common method.

One of the key recommendations is to re-examine the books on wujuh wa naza’ir by subjecting them to detailed review and critical analysis, by studying