Ḫ-s-f and K-s-f Roots in the Qurʾān from the Perspective of Meaning and Context

This study, which addresses the Qurʾānic roots ḫ-s-f and k-s-f, aims to identify the semantic distinctions between them by examining both from an etymological perspective. In this study, which adopts a three-stage methodological approach, the semantic maps of both roots were first derived and compared using classical Arabic lexicons. In the second stage, the contextual usages and subtle nuances of each word were identified through examples drawn from pre-Islamic (Jāhilī) Arabic poetry. In the final stage, the Qur’ānic verses in which these words appear were analyzed—taking into account the distinction between Makkan and Madinan revelations—within the framework of the exegetical tradition, with particular emphasis on early classical sources. The findings demonstrate that the root k-s-f denotes an undesirable alteration from the original state, such as the extinguishing of the light of the sun, the moon, or the human face, resulting in darkness. By contrast, the root ḫ-s-f describes a change in which the light completely disappears without leaving a trace, or in which something vanishes altogether. For this reason, the Qurʾān employs the root ḫ-s-f to express the moon’s setting and the total loss of its light, since the moon’s light is not inherent but reflected from the sun. Conversely, because the sun’s light is intrinsic, it does not vanish entirely; rather, only a change in form occurs. The analysis further reveals that, although some sources report that by way of taġlīb the root ḫ-s-f was used for both types of eclipses, the semantic subtlety explained above suggests that the majority preferred the root ks-f to denote solar eclipse, as it was considered the more accurate choice. Another significant finding of the study is that, as far as could be determined from the available sources, there are no known verses or texts from the Jāhilī period that use the root ḫ-s-f in the meanings of “the disappearance of the moon’s light” or “causing something to sink into the earth.” This shows that the meanings in question became more explicit and pronounced through the stylistic usage of the Qurʾān.