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An Examination of the Root Z‑Y‑N and Its Connection to the Representation of Women in the Qur’an
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Hamideh Taeb1   , Zahra Alipour |
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Abstract: (3 Views) |
| Analyzing the Qur’anic perspective on women requires a careful examination of the vocabulary and themes that are directly or indirectly related to this subject. The present study systematically investigates the verses of the Qur’an in order to explore the relationship between the concept of women and the root z‑y‑n (zīn). Given the historical association between “woman” and “beauty” in many human cultures, this research asks whether the Qur’an establishes a meaningful and inferable connection between the concept of zīnah—the most prominent term denoting beauty, adornment, and embellishment—and the status of women. This study employs a qualitative research method with both word-centered and context-oriented approaches. All derivatives of the root z‑y‑n appearing in forty-six Qur’anic instances were identified, and their syntactic and semantic usages were analyzed in light of their textual context. The findings indicate that the term zīnah is predominantly used within the framework of worldly trial and is often associated with the agency of Satan. Of the forty-six occurrences in the Qur’an, only four show a direct or indirect connection to the subject of women. Three of these occur within the context of dress and modesty regulations (such as Q 24:31), where the purpose is to preserve women’s dignity. The fourth appears in the context of condemning the behavior of disbelievers who regard women merely as adornment. The Qur’an presents women as possessing intrinsic dignity and evaluates their worth beyond outward appearance and visual attraction. By employing the term zīnah in specific contexts—particularly those related to modesty—it seeks to safeguard women’s inherent dignity and prevent their reduction to mere objects of beauty. Thus, the Qur’anic view of women transcends physicality and is grounded in human and ethical values. |
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| Keywords: Qur’an, Zīnah, Women, Beauty, Dress (Ḥijāb). |
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Full-Text [PDF 435 kb]
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2026/07/1 | Accepted: 2026/07/1 | Published: 2026/07/1
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