An analysis of Ma’dule numbers in the Quranic concept of Mosana and Solas and Roba’ (The case study: contemporary Persian translations)

GhairMonsaref nouns in Arabic include some numbers which, due to being descriptions and non-repetitive, are called Ma’dule numbers. The concept of Mosana and Solas and Roba’ in Quran consists of a series of such numbers that are grouped under Maf’al and Fo’al and can be found in verse 3 of Nisa and verse 1 of Fatir in Quran. Although some translators of Quran have stick to the idea of repetition while translating these numbers, many of them have offered translations that do not match this target meaning. This has created different and sometimes contradictory understandings in the minds of readers and has problematized the process of reading each verse. The present study adopts a descriptive-analytic approach in order to closely examine the meaning of Ma’dule numbers in Farsi translations of Quran. The semantic analysis of Ma’dule numbers highlights the idea of “repetition and variety” for Mosana and Solas and Roba’ at the same time as bringing forth the meaning of numbers and counting in the words. This sense is more in line with “binary, tertiary and fourfold” that can be used as translations for the above words.