An Assessment on Ardhal al-ʿumur and Senescence in the Qurʾān Cover Image

Kur’an’da Erẕeli'l-ʽumur ve Yaşlılık Üzerine Bir Değerlendirme
An Assessment on Ardhal al-ʿumur and Senescence in the Qurʾān

Author(s): Sevgi Tütün
Subject(s): Islam studies, Religion and science , Sociology of Religion
Published by: Cumhuriyet Üniversitesi İlahyat Fakültesi
Keywords: Senescence in the Qurʾān; Old; Sheikh; Shayb; Dementia; Ardhal al-ʿumur; Sheikh; Shayb;

Summary/Abstract: Human beings pass through a series of life stages since birth. These stages beginning at the infancy even in the mother’s womb are accompanied with a period extending to the senescence and the last stages of the life. Creation of human beings and various stages of the life are mentioned in the Qurʾān. Besides, it is referred to the senescence. In addition to the expressions sheikh, shayb, ʽajūz and kibar indicating to the senescence, ardhal al-ʿumur is also pointed out in the Qurʾān in this regard. This article aims to identify in which context and meaning the wording regarding ardhal al-ʿumur and senescence are used in the Qurʾān and to reveal the relation between these terms. Since, the term ardhal al-ʿumur and senile dementia are directly correlated in the commentaries usually and the interpretations build the perception that these two expressions are almost synonyms. Are ardhal al-ʿumur and dementia closely associated with each other? Are the other terms in the Qurʾān indicating to the senescence correlated with the dementia? Our study aims to explain the expression ardhal al-ʿumur in the Qurʾān in this regard. Furthermore, the other terms regarding the senescence expressed in the Qurʾān are reviewed in this respect.

  • Issue Year: 20/2016
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 299-328
  • Page Count: 30
  • Language: Turkish