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Farhani M. (2026). A Comparative Analysis of Persian Equivalents for the Term “Furqan” in the Holy Quran Based on Eugene Nida’s Equivalence Theory. JSAL. 9(4),
URL: http://jsal.ierf.ir/article-1-263-en.html

A Comparative Analysis of Persian Equivalents for the Term “Furqan” in the Holy Quran Based on Eugene Nida’s Equivalence Theory

Mahdi Farhani ^*

Assistant Professor and Faculty Member, Department of Arabic Language and Literature, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Velayat University of Iranshahr, Iran , m.farhani@velayat.ar.ir

Abstract: (32 Views)

The term “Furqan,” as a key and multidimensional concept in the Holy Quran, appears in seven verses (six times in the definite form and once in the indefinite form). Depending on the context of revelation and the specific verses, it carries various semantic implications, including the Holy Quran itself, the Torah, divine miracles, categorical verses (muhkamat), evidence and proof, and victory in the “Yawm al-Furqan” (the Battle of Badr). This polysemy and its deep semantic layers pose significant theoretical and practical challenges for translation into the target language. This study aims to evaluate the efficiency, conceptual fidelity, and communicative clarity of various translations. The theoretical framework is grounded in Eugene Nida’s translation equivalence theory, which focuses on two primary poles: “formal equivalence” (emphasizing the formal structure and syntactic-lexical form of the source language) and “dynamic equivalence” (emphasizing the message’s function and generating an equivalent effect on the target audience). Utilizing a descriptive-analytical approach, this research examines a corpus of prominent classical translations (e.g., Tafsir al-Tabari, Rawd al-Jinan by Abul-Futuh Razi, and Kashf al-Asrar by Maybudi) as well as intermediary and contemporary translations (e.g., Shah Waliullah Dehlavi, Shaykh al-Hind, Fayz al-Islam, Elahi Qomshei, Sharani, Moezzi, Ayati, and Fooladvand) within the context of all verses containing the term. The findings indicate that translators have adopted three distinct approaches toward “Furqan”: first, literal borrowing or reproduction of the term without Persian equivalents—a structure-oriented approach that obscures semantic comprehension for readers unfamiliar with Quranic terminology; second, word-for-word translation and strict formal equivalence (e.g., “to separate” or “to split”), which impairs the guiding function and technical implication of the term; and third, attempts to achieve dynamic equivalence through explanatory and compound equivalents such as “the separator of truth from falsehood,” “the faculty of discernment,” and “proof.” The results suggest that fixation on formal equivalence diminishes the text’s semantic capacity, while excessive reliance on personal interpretation leads to a disconnection from the source text. Consequently, the optimal translation of multilayered Quranic terms requires a balanced approach that adheres to linguistic and historical context while reconciling semantic equivalence with communicative fluency to effectively convey the technical meaning to the contemporary reader.

Keywords: Holy Quran, Term “Furqan, ” Persian Translations of the Quran, Eugene Nida’s Theory, Formal Equivalence, Dynamic Equivalence, Lexical Equivalence

Type of Study: Research | Subject: Linguistic research
Received: 2026/08/1 | Accepted: 2026/10/5 | Published: 2026/12/1

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