LessonsThe Uncreated Qur’an: Divine Speech, Wording, Meaning and AttributionQuiz

وُجُودًا فِي الْأَعْيَانِ، وَوُجُودًا فِي الْأَذْهَانِ، وَوُجُودًا فِي الْعِبَارَةِ، وَوُجُودًا فِي الْكِتَابَةِ
Existence in external things, minds, expressions and writing.

These are not four identical ways of existing. The external reality of a thing, its mental concept, the spoken term and the written mark are distinguishable. The attribution of “existence” must be understood in its relevant context.

Descriptions of the Qur’an as present, recited, written or memorized can similarly concern different levels of signification and reception. A valid relation is not the same as the attribute and medium occupying one identical locus.

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Four contexts in which something may be said to exist

The Uncreated Qur’an: Divine Speech, Wording, Meaning and Attribution

وُجُودًا فِي الْأَعْيَانِ، وَوُجُودًا فِي الْأَذْهَانِ، وَوُجُودًا فِي الْعِبَارَةِ، وَوُجُودًا فِي الْكِتَابَةِ
Existence in external things, minds, expressions and writing.

These are not four identical ways of existing. The external reality of a thing, its mental concept, the spoken term and the written mark are distinguishable. The attribution of “existence” must be understood in its relevant context.

Descriptions of the Qur’an as present, recited, written or memorized can similarly concern different levels of signification and reception. A valid relation is not the same as the attribute and medium occupying one identical locus.