English

QCF V2

Mahmoud Khaleel Al-Husary

Ibn Kathir (Abridged)

IslamHouse.com

Persian

Imam Ibn al-Jawzī (d. 597/1201) summarized the scholars' opinions in his book "Zād al-Masīr" as follows:

1. All of creation encompassing the heavens, the earth, and everything in between. [Al-Ḍaḥḥāk from Ibn ʿAbbās]
2. Every living being on earth. [Abū Ṣāliḥ from Ibn ʿAbbās]
3. Jinn and humans. [Ibn ʿAbbās, Mujāhid, Muqātil]
4. Jinn, humans, and angels. [Ibn ʿAbbās, Ibn Qutaybah]
5. Angels alone. [Ibn ʿAbbās]

Who does the word "worlds" (*ʿĀlamīn*) refer to in this verse?

Imam Ibn al-Jawzī (d. 597/1201) summarized the scholars' opinions in his book "Zād al-Masīr" as follows:

1. According to the scholars of the Arabic language (*Ahl al-ʿArabiyyah*), it refers to all of creation from their beginning to their end. They also use *ʿālam* to refer specifically to the people of a given era.
2. According to the theologians (*Ahl al-Naẓar*),  *al-ʿālam* refers to the entirety of created existence, including the celestial spheres, the heavens, the earth, and everything in between.

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Concerning its linguistic root, there are two opinions:

1. It is derived from the root word *ʿilm,* meaning "knowledge". This is in line with in the interpretation of the linguists (that it refers to all created beings).
2. That it is derived from the root word *ʿalāmah,* meaning a sign., which supports the perspective of the theologians (that it refers to the cosmos). In this interpretation, the world is called *ʿālam* because it serves as a sign of the Creator.

What is the meaning and etymology of the word *ʿĀlam*?