The Linguistic Reanalysis and Reinterpretation of Qur’ānic Verse 37 of Sūrat al-Qiyāmah

Qur’ānic verses have always received new interpretations in light of new historical evidence or scientific discoveries. This paper argues for the thesis that Qur’ānic verses may also receive new interpretations in light of novel construal of their linguistic properties. It proposes new interpretations of verse 37 of sūrat al-Qiyāmah (Resurrection, 75:37) based on a reanalysis of its structure, which leads to re-identifying what was traditionally construed as a verb as an adjective. The paper presents the traditional (standard) interpretations of verse Q. 75:37 and provides three new interpretations. It then argues for the legitimacy of the new interpretations, based on evidence from the Qur’ān and sunnah.