Theoretical-Philosophical and Linguistic Foundations of the Concept of Time in The Holy Quran

Abstract

This scientific article comprehensively examines the fundamental scientific and theoretical concepts of the phenomenon of time, as well as the linguistic and metaphysical meanings of the concept of time within the Islamic worldview, specifically in the Holy Quran. The study provides a profound comparative analysis of I. Newton's classical theory of absolute time, A. Einstein's theory of relativity, and I. Prigogine's modern philosophical-evolutionary views on the irreversibility of time (the thermodynamic arrow of time) with the concepts of classical Islamic philosophers and linguists. The lexico-semantic meanings of terms denoting time within the Quranic textual space are scientifically substantiated based on the works of medieval classical lexicographers such as Ibn Manzur and ar-Raghib al-Isfahani. Furthermore, the article places special emphasis on the spiritual, practical, ethical, and psychological significance of the concept of “ibn al-waqt” (son of time), which stands as one of the key existential concepts in Islamic mysticism (Tasawwuf).