Path and guidance: Interpretations of Qur’anic metaphors of space and move-ment in the Tafsīr literature (A01)

• Subject Area: Islamic Studies, Arabian Studies, Semitic Studies
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 441126958

In the Islamic religious tradition, metaphors of space and movement hold a prominent place, starting with the “straight path” (al-ṣirāṭ al-mustaqīm) that figures in the opening chapter of the Qur’an. Subproject A01 seeks to understand how metaphorical language in the tafsīr literature contributes to the creation of religious meaning and how it expresses different religious imagi-naries. In addition, it studies transfers of space and movement metaphors between Arabic-language Qur’an commentary and other literary genres and languages, asking to what extent metaphors acquire new meaning through such transfers.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1475: Metaphors of Religion. Religious Meaning-Making in Language Use
• Applicant Institution: Ruhr-Universität Bochum
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Johann Büssow