The Importance of Correct Translation of Words in Finding Pronoun Reference (Based on Verse 35 of the Surah “Al-Waqiah”)

The correct translation and interpretation of Quranic verses is strongly dependent on the observance of the principles and rules of Arabic literature. One of these principles is the points that must be considered in order to identify the missing pronoun reference. The necessity of this issue becomes clear when, by changing the reference of a pronoun, the meaning and purpose of a verse completely changes and the audience fails to understand the correct message and purpose of the verse. Not paying attention to the correct meaning of the words is the most important cause of this error. It seems that the feminine plural pronoun in the verse 35 of the surah “Al-Waqiah” has caused such a mistake, and a suitable reference has not been chosen for this pronoun; because most of the commentators and translators of the Quran, based on the interpretations of the verse that have no credibility or because they have taken the ironic meaning of the words, assert that this pronoun refers to “heavenly women and wives.” However, according to the two principles of “the need for clear and obvious evidences to remove the pronoun reference” and “the precedence of the mentioned reference”, this pronoun reference is not correct. The present article aims to find a suitable reference for the feminine plural pronoun in this verse. Therefore, by collecting library information and through critical methods and using interpretive and literary sources, it is concluded that in order to create a correct semantic match between the verse under discussion and to be in line with the main purpose of the surah, it is better consider the literal meanings of the words. Therefore, the blessings mentioned in the previous verses (fruits, running water and expanded carpets) must be considered as a reference for the pronoun.