10251: Meanings of the word ummah in the Qur'aan
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Question:
Whilst reading the Qur'aan I have come across the word "ummah" several times
and I have the feeling that it has numerous meanings, not just one meaning. Is
this correct? How should we understand this word?
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
Shaykh Muhammad al-Ameen al-Shanqeeti (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
The word ummah is used in four senses in the Qur'aan:
1 _ The word ummah is used to mean a period of time, as in the aayahs
(interpretation of the meanings):
"And if We delay the torment for them till a determined term [ila ummatin
ma'doodah]"
[Hood 11:8]
"Then the man who was released (one of the two who were in prison), now at
length [ba'da ummatin] remembered"[Yoosuf 12:45]
2 _ It is used to mean a group of people, which is the usual usage, as in the
aayahs (interpretation of the meaning):
"he found there a group of men [ummatan min al-naas] watering (their
flocks)"[al-Qasas 28:23]
"And for every Ummah (community or nation) there is a Messenger"
[Yoonus 10:47]
"Mankind were one community [ummah]"[al-Baqarah 2:213]
and there are other similar aayahs.
3 _ The word ummah is used to refer to a man who is taken as a leader, as in
the aayah (interpretation of the meaning):
"Verily, Ibraaheem (Abraham) was an Ummah (a leader having all the good
righteous qualities)"[al-Nahl 16:120]
4 _ The word ummah is used to mean a way or religion, as in the aayahs
(interpretation of the meanings):
"They say: "We found our fathers following a certain way and religion
[ummah]"[al-Zukhruf 43:23]
"Truly, this, your Ummah [Sharee`ah or religion (Islamic Monotheism)] is one
religion"[al-Anbiyaa' 21:92]
and there are other similar aayahs.
Adwaa' al-Bayaan, 3/13.
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(Go here for Reference & More Islamic Questions & Answers:
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