Morphological and Semantic Structure of Quranic Derivatives in the Himyarite Language

Abstract

This study examines the derivatives in the Quran attributed to the Himyarite language from a morphological and semantic angle, aiming to clarify its connection with Classical Arabic. Scholars have long debated the authenticity of these Himyarite words in the Quran, with some affirming their presence and others refuting it. Through an analytical review of scholars' opinions, the researcher assessed the morphological and semantic alignment of these words. The research begins with a brief overview of the Himyarite language, followed by a detailed analysis of derivatives, organized alphabetically within each category: active participles, intensified forms, adjectives, passive participles, and instrumental nouns. The findings reveal that the supposed Himyarite terms are genuinely Arabic, demonstrating that the Himyarite language is a branch of Arabic, sharing a specific-to-general connection. Additionally, the meanings of these derivatives are consistent with their usage in Classical Arabic, and terms for comparison, time, and place specific to the Himyarite language are absent from the Quran.