AL-MUTARĞIM المترجم
Volume 24, Numéro 2, Pages 57-79
2025-12-31

Challenges And Approaches In Translating Near-synonyms In The Holy Quran: A Textual Analysis Of Translating ʿilm Vs. Maʿrifah And Kufr Vs. Shirk Across Three Qur’anic Translations



Authors : Senkadi Abdelkader .

Abstract

The Holy Quran, as the divine revelation in Arabic, is distinguished by its unparalleled linguistic precision, rhetorical depth, and lexical richness. Among its most intricate linguistic features is the use of synonyms (tarāduf) and near-synonyms—terms that may appear interchangeable but often carry subtle theological, contextual, or stylistic distinctions. This study examines the nuanced distinctions between near-synonymous Qur’anic terms—ʿilm vs. maʿrifah and kufr vs. shirk through a comparative analysis of three prominent English translations.By analyzing lexical choices and contextual interpretations, this paper highlights theological and semantic implications in translation, contributing to discussions on Islamic terminology and exegesis. Following a textual comparative analysis background, the researcher aims at answering the following question: How can translators effectively render Quranic near-synonyms while preserving their linguistic, theological, and rhetorical nuances in target languages?; having as a hypothesis that a failure to differentiate between Quranic synonyms may lead to doctrinal ambiguities or misinterpretations of the versus of the Holy Word of Allah.

Keywords

Qur’an, near-synonyms, translation , Ilm vs Ma’rifah, Kufr vs Shirk.

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