Subproject A01

Path and Guidance: Interpretations of Qur’anic Metaphors of Space and Movement in the Tafsīr Literature

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 imaginaries. 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.