The Terminology of "Vojuh and Naza’er " in the Quranic Sciences

  Using a descriptive-analytical method, this paper studies the use of the terms "Vojuh" and "Naza’er" in the books on Vojuh (different meanings of a word) and Naza’er (similar words with different meanings). It investigates the words of Zarkashi in defining the terms "Vojuh" and "Naza’er” and his critique of the definition offered by Ibn Jozi, and approves the definition given by Ibn Jozi. Moreover, the misconception of some scholars about Zarkashi's words on defining Nazae'r has been made clear, and the types that Ayatollah Ma'refat had mentioned for Vojuh and Naza’er have been studied. According to the definition given by Ibn Jozi, "Naza'er" are terms which are used in the Qur'an for a variety of meanings; and “Vojuh” refer to their meanings. Zarkeshi mistakenly regards both Vojuh and Naza’er as description of terms. Due to an incorrect interpretation of the words of Zarkeshi, Ayatollah Ma’refat and some others have defined Naza’er as synonymous words. "Vojuh and Naza’er "and "Mohkam and Motashabeh” (the Clear and Unclear verses) are two independent topics in the Quranic sciences, and their confusion is a mistake and characterized as vague. In Vojuh and Naza’er, different uses of a word in the Qur'an are considered, but “Motashabeh” refers to the possible meanings of a verse. Of the four kinds mentioned by Ayatollah Ma’refat for Vojuh and Naza’er, three kinds have nothing to do with Vojuh and Naza’er, and some of the examples mentioned for the other kind are related to Mohkam and Motashabeh.