The Verb Malaka and Its Derivatives in the Holy Qur'an: A Morphological and Semantic Study

Abstract

Derivation is regarded as one of the most significant characteristics of the Arabic language, as it generates a wide range of derived forms that enrich the language with diverse semantic nuances and expressive possibilities. Through derivation, language fulfills its fundamental function of conveying meanings effectively to recipients. In many communicative contexts, speakers need to vary their lexical choices—even when these choices originate from the same lexical root—to serve different semantic purposes. Consequently, they employ various linguistic structures, including verbs, nouns, sentences, and syntactic constructions. At this point, the role of derivatives within a text becomes evident. When derivatives originating from a single root diversify and occur in different structural positions, they inevitably establish a distinct semantic dominance that contributes to enriching the text with layers of meaning. Such variation prompts an investigation into both the primary meanings inherent in the original root and the secondary meanings that emerge through different derived forms, as well as an examination of their distribution within the text. Against this backdrop, the present study, entitled "The Verb Malaka (مَلَكَ) and Its Derivatives in the Holy Qur'an: A Morphological and Semantic Study," seeks to identify and classify the lexical forms derived from the verb malaka (to possess, own, or have dominion), trace their occurrences throughout the Holy Qur'an, and analyze their morphological structures and semantic implications. Furthermore, the study addresses a central question: Which derivatives of the verb malaka occur most frequently in the Holy Qur'an?