an analysis of the concept of the qur'anic terms ʿind, ladun, and laday from the perspective of qur'anic commentators

The terms ʿind, ladun, and ladayy are among the frequently recurring concepts in the qur'an. despite their high frequency, no systematic and coherent explanation of the underlying meanings of these terms has been provided in existing research. this study, adopting an analytical-critical approach, examines the interpretations of these terms as presented by exegetes from both sunni and shiʿi traditions, seeking to extract, classify, and evaluate the most significant views. the findings reveal that while commentators unanimously deny attributing spatiality to god, they identify concepts such as special proximity and honor, exclusivity, and divine absolute knowledge and power as the primary meanings associated with these terms when used in reference to god. furthermore, the evaluation of exegetical perspectives demonstrates that some views are entirely untenable, whereas others may be valid in specific contexts; however, their generalization to all verses without due regard for textual indicators and context leads to interpretive inaccuracies. the comprehensive view argued in this study is that the concept of with god (ʿinda allah) should be understood as multifaceted and context-dependent, rather than as a fixed and uniform expression. this analysis shows that although earlier interpretations may be defensible in certain cases and in light of specific contexts, their indiscriminate generalization results in semantic weaknesses and interpretive shortcomings. the terms ʿind, ladun, and ladayy are among the frequently recurring concepts in the qur'an. despite their high frequency, no systematic and coherent explanation of the underlying meanings of these terms has been provided in existing research. this study, adopting an analytical-critical approach, examines the interpretations of these terms as presented by exegetes from both sunni and shiʿi traditions, seeking to extract, classify, and evaluate the most significant views. the findings reveal that while commentators unanimously deny attributing spatiality to god, they identify concepts such as special proximity and honor, exclusivity, and divine absolute knowledge and power as the primary meanings associated with these terms when used in reference to god. furthermore, the evaluation of exegetical perspectives demonstrates that some views are entirely untenable, whereas others may be valid in specific contexts; however, their generalization to all verses without due regard for textual indicators and context leads to interpretive inaccuracies. the comprehensive view argued in this study is that the concept of with god (ʿinda allah) should be understood as multifaceted and context-dependent, rather than as a fixed and uniform expression. this analysis shows that although earlier interpretations may be defensible in certain cases and in light of specific contexts, their indiscriminate generalization results in semantic weaknesses and interpretive shortcomings.