A Semantic Analysis of the Word ‘Sin’ in the Quran Based on Izutsu's Semantics

Izutsu's semantic theory distinguishes between basic and relational meanings. The basic meaning refers to the intrinsic meaning of a word, independent of context. The relational meaning, on the other hand, is the meaning a word acquires when placed within the lexical system of a text. Izutsu's method for identifying word meanings within a text involves paying attention to context, paradigmatic and syntagmatic relationships, semantic opposition, and semantic fields. This descriptive-analytical study examines the basic meanings of words related to sin. The findings indicate that these words did not originally signify sin in their basic sense; rather, they were included in the semantic field of sin because each word initially described an aspect of sin. An examination of pre-Islamic usage reveals that "الإثم" (al-ithm) referred to sin in various instances, "الجرم" (al-jurm) eferred to the severity of sin, "الجناح" (al-junah) did not generally mean sin, "الخطیئه" (al-khati’ah) referred to mistakes, "الذنب" (al-dhanb) referred to the consequence of sin, and "السیئه" (as-sayi'ah) to ugliness and evil. Analyzing the relational meanings of sin-related words in the Quran based on Izutsu's principles shows that "الإثم" (al-ithm) refers to deliberate sins; "الجرم" (al-jurm), contrary to its legal usage, denotes internal and hidden sins; "الجناح" (al-junah) relates to sins connected to legal rules; "الخطیئه" (al-khati’ah) encompasses external, internal, minor, major, intentional, and accidental sins, and is forgivable; "الذنب" (al-dhanb) has a broad scope of application and generally signifies sin with serious consequences but is still forgivable; and "السیئه" (as-sayi'ah) refers to external and internal, minor and major sins.