Linguistic I’jaz in the Names of the Day of Resurrection in Al-Qur’an

Abstract

Qur’anic studies face a recurring challenge in the superficial translation of the names of the Day of Resurrection—such as al-Āzifah, al-Ḥāqqah, and al-Ṣākhkhah—into a single unified meaning. This reduction oversimplifies their rich semantic layers and obscures the rhetorical miracle embedded in the Qur’an. The research problem lies in the absence of precise determination of these terms. Accordingly, this study aims to uncover the semantic distinctions among the names of the Day of Resurrection, to establish the rejection of absolute synonymy, and to highlight the linguistic miracle of each term within its specific context. The study employs a qualitative library-based method with an inductive and semantic-analytical approach to Qur’anic texts, lexicons, and classical exegeses. The findings confirm the absence of complete synonymy in the Qur’an: each name conveys a distinct dimension—al-Āzifah denotes imminence, al-Sā‘ah emphasizes suddenness, al-Ṣākhkhah reflects auditory shock, and al-Ṭāmmah signifies overwhelming dominance. Furthermore, the study distinguishes between proper names and descriptive attributes, such as al-Rājifah and al-Rādifah. The research recommends expanding semantic investigation into other eschatological terms and conducting field studies to measure the educational and psychological impact of Qur’anic rhetoric.