The Concept of Time in Islamic Thought

Abstract

 

This study explores the concept of time in classical Arab-Islamic thought, aiming to clarify the confusion surrounding it due to the multiplicity of terms and the divergent philosophical opinions—ranging from affirmation and negation to ambiguity and suspension. The research begins by tracing time-related terminology in classical Arabic dictionaries and encyclopedic works, such as Al-Taʿrīfāt by Al-Jurjānī, Kashshāf Istilāḥāt al-Funūn by Al-Tahānawī, and Al-Kulliyyāt by Abū al-Baqāʾ, in order to define their meanings and philosophical connotations.

The study then shifts to examining the philosophical dimensions of time in Islamic thought, based primarily on the Qur’an and Sunnah, as foundational sources for Muslim philosophers. It highlights their precise definitions and analytical depth in addressing the connection between time and existence. The paper concludes by offering a philosophical-Islamic interpretation of time, which aspires to contribute to contemporary understandings of the concept.