The Semantic Differences between Action ‘al-fi'l’ and Deed ‘al-'amal’ in the Quranic Discourse

Abstract

This study explores a linguistic phenomenon in the Quran related to its miraculous nature: synonymy. Specifically, it examines the terms fi‘l (action) and ‘amal (deed), both frequently used in the Quran, by employing a descriptive, inductive approach to analyze the meaning of these two words. The study identifies significant semantic differences in their lexical meanings, as well as their rhetorical implications in the Quran, based on the interpretations provided by Quranic exegetes, and includes practical examples to illustrate these distinctions. The study’s significance lies in its examination of the subtle linguistic differences between words often thought to be synonymous. Through description and induction, it concludes that each word has its unique meaning and cannot be fully replaced by another, as there are nuanced differences between words with similar meanings that are evident from the context.