A Study of the Semantic Equivalence of the Words ‘Itmām’ and ‘Ikmāl’ in Translations of the Holy Quran; A Case Study of the Translations by Makarem Shirazi, Garmarudi, and Fouladvand

Document Type : Brief Communication Paper

Authors
Javad Khanlari 1
Ebrahim Namdari 2
Fahimeh Toobrehrizi 3
1 Assistant Professor, Department of Arabic Language and Literature, Faculty of Humanities, Payam Noor University, Tehran, Iran.
2 Associate Professor, Department of Quran and Hadith Sciences, Ayatollah Boroujerdi University, Boroujerd, Iran.
3 Master's degree in Quran and Hadith Sciences, University of Holy Quran Sciences and Education, Qom, Iran.
10.30497/qhs.2025.248508.4167
Abstract
The present study conducts a detailed analysis of the words “Itmām” and “Ikmāl” and their role in translations of the Holy Quran. Despite their apparent similarity, these words have different translations, meanings, and usages within the Quranic text, and a correct understanding of them is essential for accurately grasping the meaning of the verses. Each word occupies a specific semantic and contextual space, and its proper use requires a deep understanding of both the language and the text. Different translators, such as Makarem Shirazi, Garmarudi, and Fouladvand, have shown variations in their choice of these words based on cultural, intellectual, and linguistic perspectives. These differences significantly affect the conveyance of meaning and messages in the Quran. This study, by comparing these translations, demonstrates that each translator, depending on their personal understanding and translation style, may use different words, each of which plays a particular role in guiding the reader’s attention. Consequently, this examination helps to better recognize the subtle yet important differences in word choice in Quranic translations and provides a deeper understanding of how the concepts of the Quran are conveyed in Persian. The findings of the study indicate that “Itmām” and “Ikmāl” are words that, at first glance, appear synonymous; however, their combined use reminds the reader that each of these words carries a distinct meaning and occupies a specific, independent semantic space.
Keywords
Lexical equivalence
Quran translation
Itmām
Ikmāl
semantic analysis
Subjects
The Holy Qur'an.
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Quran and Hadith Studies‎
Volume 19, Issue 1 - Serial Number 37
September 2025
Pages 271-290