z-h-r

Description

The Arabic root ظهر (ẓ-h-r) fundamentally conveys the concept of appearance, manifestation, and what is outward or visible, as opposed to what is hidden or internal. In the Quran, it encompasses meanings ranging from physical backs (the outer part of the body), to supporters who stand behind someone, to things that become apparent or manifest to the senses or understanding. This root is theologically significant as it distinguishes between the external/visible realm (ẓāhir) and the hidden/internal realm (bāṭin), a crucial concept in Islamic thought regarding both the nature of reality and the interpretation of divine revelation.