The Terminology of “the Book” and “Quran” from the Viewpoint of Scholars of Usul Science

In revelation verses, in order to indicate the Muslims' holy text, the two names of the Book and Quran are used more than any other name; despite the extensional overlap of the two names, they have different meanings and have not been used interchangeably. Furthermore, throughout the history of the Usul science, in order to indicate the first religious proof i.e. the Muslims' heavenly text, these two names have been the most widely used names. Answering the question of whether these two names have been used consciously, purposefully and according to their conceptual differences or have been applied arbitrarily and tolerantly, in addition to the issue of the relation between the meanings of these two names in the Usul science and their meanings in the Holy Quran have been an incentive to the formation of the present research. Accordingly, studying the relation of the meanings of the names of  the Book and Quran in the Usul science with their meanings in the Holy Quran, in addition to realizing why and how the Usulis have defined them, have constituted the mission of the present research. The results clearly show that the Usul science is a leading and effective science in defining the Muslims' holy text, several definitions have been given therein and the names of the Book and Quran have been used in a purposeful and meaningful way in connection with their meanings in the Holy Quran.