The Founding Role of the Qur'an in the Early Perception of Geography

Temel Mahmutoğlu

Article Details

The Founding Role of the Qur'an in the Early Perception of Geography

Authors:

Temel Mahmutoğlu

Publisher:

Hitit University

Main Topics:

Tefsir

Journal:

Hitit İlahiyat Dergisi Vol.23 Issue Din ve Coğrafya, pp.85-103

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

4/2024

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001316461

pISSN:

2757-6949

Keywords:

Abstract:

 The main subject of our study is the exemplary Quranic verses that contain geographical information and some geographical content in the distinguished collection of seven or ten poets in the Jāhiliyyah period, also known as the muallāqāt. Indeed, in the context of the close relationship between geography and literature, literary texts also provide evidence of how people in the past and different cultures perceived reality. Our research aims to show that the Quranic text reflects the geographical perception of the period through both the relevant verses and the Jāhiliyyah poetry. In this context, furthermore, our aim is to try to show the reflections of the verses containing geographical information with laconic and directive expressions in poetry texts with high literary value. The Quran has taken into account the human being and the environmental factors that make him himself from the beginning to the end; both addressed the geographical imagination of the ancient Arabs from their languageculture in verses and directed them to think about this issue. Our study derives its importance from these points. Because the Quran did not use the geographical imagination of the ancient Arabs only to give information, but to show the power, might, and authority of Allah and to use arguments such as the necessity of worshipping only to Him. In other words, it aimed to build a new perception of geography in Muslims. The Quran was not contented with this purpose only but also encouraged the believers to always think about geography. As an example, the functions of the mountains, water sources, and plants in the creation of the earth mentioned in Sūrat ar-Rahmān have enabled people to have more knowledge about the natural environment. As a result, the geographical information in the Quran has shaped peoples perception of geography and enabled them to have more knowledge about the natural environment. We can give other examples in this context. In terms of its current value, people are still curious about the location of any garden in the world where Adam descended from paradise or where he was expelled because of his approaching the forbidden tree that he should not approach after living in a comfortable environment like paradise, and they even produce information about this place. Similarly, human beings have always been curious about where the Prophet Noahs ship landed, where the cave of Ashâb-ı Kahf is located, where the sun rises and sets, where the Prophet Zulqarnayn traveled, etc., and they have always been curious, produced information, and even did not refrain from obtaining information on these issues even from the Isrāiliyyāt. On the other hand, Jāhiliyyah poetry offers a rich and detailed view of the geography of the Arabian Peninsula. Along with the natural beauties of the geography, the poets also gave information about how it affected peoples lives. In addition, the poets also showed in their poems how the difficulties presented by nature affected peoples lives. In addition, the poets also gave clues about how the harsh natural conditions of the geography affected life in the Arabian Peninsula. For example, the poets often described the conditions and temperatures of the desert in their poems and showed the difficulties and beauties of nature and how they affected peoples lives. For example, al-Hāris b. Hilliza likened the enemy army, which was quite large, and the anxiety he felt towards them to the calamity sent to the black lofty mountains whose summits split the clouds. The primary source of our study is the Quran, especially the verses containing geographical information and the related content in the parables. Our secondary source is the Jāhiliyyah poetry, especially the geographical content in the muallāqāt. Modern sources are also included to show the contemporary value of the issue. We have limited our study to the perception of geography in early Islamic culture, especially between I.-IV. H. In this context, our research has examined mainly the relevant Quranic verses and the muallakât from Jāhiliyyah poetry. In our study, the methods of comparison, literature review sounding, induction, deduction, analysis, and synthesis were employed.

 Çalışmamızın temel konusu coğrafi bilgiler barındıran örnek Kurân âyetleri ve muallakât da denilen câhiliye dönemindeki yedi veya on şaire ait seçkin kaside koleksiyonundaki birtakım coğrafi muhteviyattır. Nitekim coğrafya ve edebiyat arasındaki sıkı ilişki bağlamında edebiyat metinleri, geçmişte ve farklı kültürlerde kişilerin gerçeği nasıl algıladıkları ile ilgili deliller de sunmaktadır. Araştırmamızın amacı Kurân metninin dönemin coğrafi algısını yansıtıyor olduğunu hem ilgili âyetler hem de câhiliye şiiri üzerinden göstermektir. Bu bağlamda ayrıca amacımız veciz ve yönlendirici ifadeler barındıran coğrafi bilgileri muhtevi âyetlerin edebi değeri yüksek şiir metinlerindeki yansımalarını göstermeye çalışmaktır. Nitekim Kurân, insan ve onu kendi yapan çevresel faktörleri başından sonuna kadar dikkate almış; hem antik Arapın coğrafi muhayyilesini âyetler içerisinde kendi dillerinden kültürlerinden onlara hitap etmiş hem de onları bu konuda düşünmeye yönlendirmiştir. Çalışmamız da önemini aslında bu hususlardan almaktadır. Zira Kurân, antik Arapın coğrafya muhayyilesini salt bilgi vermek için kullanmamaktadır. Kurân, bu bilgileri kullanarak Allahın güç, kudret ve otoritesini göstermek, yalnızca ona kulluk yapılması gerekliliği gibi hususları maksat edinmiştir. Başka bir deyişle onun amacı Müslümanlarda yeni bir coğrafya algısı inşa etmek olmuştur. Kurân, ayrıca sadece bu amaçla yetinmeyip inananları coğrafya konusunda düşünmeye de teşvik etmiştir. Örnek olması bakımından Rahmân suresinde bahsedilen yeryüzündeki dağların, su kaynaklarının ve bitkilerin yaratılışındaki işlevleri, insanların doğal çevre hakkında daha fazla bilgi sahibi olmalarını sağlamıştır. Netice itibariyle, Kurânda yer alan coğrafi bilgiler, insanların coğrafya algısını şekillendirmiş ve doğal çevre hakkında daha fazla bilgi sahibi olmalarını sağlamıştır. Bu hususta başkaca örnekler de verebiliriz. Hala güncel değerini taşıması bakımından insanlar Hz. Âdemin cennetten indirildiği ya da cennet gibi konforlu bir ortamda yaşayıp da yaklaşmaması gereken yasak ağaca yaklaşması neticesinde çıkarıldığı dünyadaki herhangi bir bahçenin neresi olduğunu merak etmekte hatta bu mekân hususunda malumat üretmektedirler. Benzer şekilde Hz. Nûhun gemisinin nereye indiği, Ashâb-ı Kehfin mağarasının nerede olduğu, Hz. Zülkarneynin yolculuk yaptığı güneşin doğduğu ve battığı yerin neresi olduğu vs. konularda insanoğlu hep merak duymuş, bu hususta malumat üretmiş; hatta bu konularda isrâiliyattan dahi bilgi devşirmekten geri durmamıştır. Diğer tarafta, câhiliye şiiri, Arap yarımadasının coğrafyası hakkında zengin ve ayrıntılı bir görünüm sunmaktadır. Şairler, coğrafyanın doğal güzellikleriyle birlikte, insanların yaşamını nasıl etkilediği hakkında da bilgi vermişlerdir. Ayrıca şairler doğanın sunduğu zorlukların da insanların hayatını nasıl etkilediğini şiirlerinde göstermişlerdir. Bunun yanı sıra şairler, coğrafyanın zorlu doğal koşullarının Arap yarımadasındaki yaşamı nasıl etkilediğine dair ipuçları da vermişlerdir. Örneğin, şairler sık sık çöl koşullarını ve sıcaklıklarını, doğanın sunduğu zorlukları, güzellikleri ve bunların insanların hayatını nasıl etkilediğini şiirlerinde anlatmışlardır. Örnek verecek olursak el-Hâris b. Hillize oldukça kalabalık olup üzerlerine gelen düşman ordusunu ve onlara karşı duyduğu endişeyi; zirvesi bulutları yaran kara yüce dağlara gönderilen felakete benzetmiştir. Çalışmamızın öncelikli kaynağı Kurân-ı Kerîm, özellikle de coğrafî bilgiler içeren âyetler ve kıssalardaki ilgili muhtevadır. İkincil kaynağımız ise cahiliye şiiri, özellikle de muallakâttaki coğrafî içerik konu edilmiştir. Ayrıca meselenin güncel değerini göstermesi bakımından modern kaynaklara da yer verilmiştir. Çalışmamızı özellikle H. I.-IV. arası erken dönem İslâm kültüründe coğrafya algısı ile sınırlandırdık. Bu bağlamda ağırlıklı olarak ilgili Kurân âyetleri ile câhiliye şiirinden muallakâtı araştırmamızda inceledik. Çalışmamızda mukayese, kaynak taraması sondaj, tümevarım, tümdengelim, analiz ve sentez yöntemleri kullanılmıştır.

 The main subject of our study is the exemplary Quranic verses that contain geographical information and some geographical content in the distinguished collection of seven or ten poets in the Jāhiliyyah period, also known as the muallāqāt. Indeed, in the context of the close relationship between geography and literature, literary texts also provide evidence of how people in the past and different cultures perceived reality. Our research aims to show that the Quranic text reflects the geographical perception of the period through both the relevant verses and the Jāhiliyyah poetry. In this context, furthermore, our aim is to try to show the reflections of the verses containing geographical information with laconic and directive expressions in poetry texts with high literary value. The Quran has taken into account the human being and the environmental factors that make him himself from the beginning to the end; both addressed the geographical imagination of the ancient Arabs from their languageculture in verses and directed them to think about this issue. Our study derives its importance from these points. Because the Quran did not use the geographical imagination of the ancient Arabs only to give information, but to show the power, might, and authority of Allah and to use arguments such as the necessity of worshipping only to Him. In other words, it aimed to build a new perception of geography in Muslims. The Quran was not contented with this purpose only but also encouraged the believers to always think about geography. As an example, the functions of the mountains, water sources, and plants in the creation of the earth mentioned in Sūrat ar-Rahmān have enabled people to have more knowledge about the natural environment. As a result, the geographical information in the Quran has shaped peoples perception of geography and enabled them to have more knowledge about the natural environment. We can give other examples in this context. In terms of its current value, people are still curious about the location of any garden in the world where Adam descended from paradise or where he was expelled because of his approaching the forbidden tree that he should not approach after living in a comfortable environment like paradise, and they even produce information about this place. Similarly, human beings have always been curious about where the Prophet Noahs ship landed, where the cave of Ashâb-ı Kahf is located, where the sun rises and sets, where the Prophet Zulqarnayn traveled, etc., and they have always been curious, produced information, and even did not refrain from obtaining information on these issues even from the Isrāiliyyāt. On the other hand, Jāhiliyyah poetry offers a rich and detailed view of the geography of the Arabian Peninsula. Along with the natural beauties of the geography, the poets also gave information about how it affected peoples lives. In addition, the poets also showed in their poems how the difficulties presented by nature affected peoples lives. In addition, the poets also gave clues about how the harsh natural conditions of the geography affected life in the Arabian Peninsula. For example, the poets often described the conditions and temperatures of the desert in their poems and showed the difficulties and beauties of nature and how they affected peoples lives. For example, al-Hāris b. Hilliza likened the enemy army, which was quite large, and the anxiety he felt towards them to the calamity sent to the black lofty mountains whose summits split the clouds. The primary source of our study is the Quran, especially the verses containing geographical information and the related content in the parables. Our secondary source is the Jāhiliyyah poetry, especially the geographical content in the muallāqāt. Modern sources are also included to show the contemporary value of the issue. We have limited our study to the perception of geography in early Islamic culture, especially between I.-IV. H. In this context, our research has examined mainly the relevant Quranic verses and the muallakât from Jāhiliyyah poetry. In our study, the methods of comparison, literature review sounding, induction, deduction, analysis, and synthesis were employed.

 The main subject of our study is the exemplary Quranic verses that contain geographical information and some geographical content in the distinguished collection of seven or ten poets in the Jāhiliyyah period, also known as the muallāqāt. Indeed, in the context of the close relationship between geography and literature, literary texts also provide evidence of how people in the past and different cultures perceived reality. Our research aims to show that the Quranic text reflects the geographical perception of the period through both the relevant verses and the Jāhiliyyah poetry. In this context, furthermore, our aim is to try to show the reflections of the verses containing geographical information with laconic and directive expressions in poetry texts with high literary value. The Quran has taken into account the human being and the environmental factors that make him himself from the beginning to the end; both addressed the geographical imagination of the ancient Arabs from their languageculture in verses and directed them to think about this issue. Our study derives its importance from these points. Because the Quran did not use the geographical imagination of the ancient Arabs only to give information, but to show the power, might, and authority of Allah and to use arguments such as the necessity of worshipping only to Him. In other words, it aimed to build a new perception of geography in Muslims. The Quran was not contented with this purpose only but also encouraged the believers to always think about geography. As an example, the functions of the mountains, water sources, and plants in the creation of the earth mentioned in Sūrat ar-Rahmān have enabled people to have more knowledge about the natural environment. As a result, the geographical information in the Quran has shaped peoples perception of geography and enabled them to have more knowledge about the natural environment. We can give other examples in this context. In terms of its current value, people are still curious about the location of any garden in the world where Adam descended from paradise or where he was expelled because of his approaching the forbidden tree that he should not approach after living in a comfortable environment like paradise, and they even produce information about this place. Similarly, human beings have always been curious about where the Prophet Noahs ship landed, where the cave of Ashâb-ı Kahf is located, where the sun rises and sets, where the Prophet Zulqarnayn traveled, etc., and they have always been curious, produced information, and even did not refrain from obtaining information on these issues even from the Isrāiliyyāt. On the other hand, Jāhiliyyah poetry offers a rich and detailed view of the geography of the Arabian Peninsula. Along with the natural beauties of the geography, the poets also gave information about how it affected peoples lives. In addition, the poets also showed in their poems how the difficulties presented by nature affected peoples lives. In addition, the poets also gave clues about how the harsh natural conditions of the geography affected life in the Arabian Peninsula. For example, the poets often described the conditions and temperatures of the desert in their poems and showed the difficulties and beauties of nature and how they affected peoples lives. For example, al-Hāris b. Hilliza likened the enemy army, which was quite large, and the anxiety he felt towards them to the calamity sent to the black lofty mountains whose summits split the clouds. The primary source of our study is the Quran, especially the verses containing geographical information and the related content in the parables. Our secondary source is the Jāhiliyyah poetry, especially the geographical content in the muallāqāt. Modern sources are also included to show the contemporary value of the issue. We have limited our study to the perception of geography in early Islamic culture, especially between I.-IV. H. In this context, our research has examined mainly the relevant Quranic verses and the muallakât from Jāhiliyyah poetry. In our study, the methods of comparison, literature review sounding, induction, deduction, analysis, and synthesis were employed.

Article Details

The Founding Role of the Qur'an in the Early Perception of Geography

Authors:

Temel Mahmutoğlu

Publisher:

Hitit University

Main Topics:

Tefsir

Journal:

Hitit İlahiyat Dergisi Vol.23 Issue Din ve Coğrafya, pp.85-103

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

4/2024

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001316461

pISSN:

2757-6949

Tafsīr

Jāhiliyyah Poetry

Geography

Perception

the Early PeriodTefsir

Câhiliye Şiiri

Coğrafya

Algı

Erken Dönem

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Temel Mahmutoğlu

Publisher: Hitit University

Main Topics: Tefsir

Journal: Hitit İlahiyat Dergisi Vol.23 Issue Din ve Coğrafya, pp.85-103

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 4/2024

Document Language: Turkish

Document ID (Org No.): 2001316461

pISSN: 2757-6949

Issues

Authors:

Temel Mahmutoğlu

Publisher:

Hitit University

Main Topics:

Tefsir

Journal:

Hitit İlahiyat Dergisi Vol.23 Issue Din ve Coğrafya, pp.85-103

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

4/2024

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001316461

pISSN:

2757-6949