A Comparative and Analytical Review of the Lexical Denotations of ‘Mathal’ and ‘Mithl’

Abstract

The primary objective of this article is to comprehensively examine and analyze the semantic variations and scope of 'Mathal' and 'Mithl' by delving into renowned dictionaries and Arabic literary works. Furthermore, it seeks to elucidate any scholarly consensus or divergent opinions on these terms, ultimately making a significant scholarly contribution to the Islamic literature."Mathal/Mithl (مثل) and its derivations have been used for this term in the Holy book. The approach adopted by the researcher is the deductive inductive method which is in the form of a fundamental research. There are a lot of parables offered by our creature innovatively and full of features in the each section of Holy Quran, which indicated the more important role of parables in education, training, guidance and character building. Parables exhibit many complicated ideas, concepts and beliefs that have not manifestation in the natural world and make them understandable in the best manners through description and simulation.

Keywords: parable, mathal, polysemy, comparison, meanings diversity