What does Zaman mean?

Islam > Glossary > Zaman

Discover the meaning of the term Zaman (زمان) in Islamic vocabulary.

Updated on 11 April 2026 at 1:05 AM

📖 2 min read

Definition Zaman

Zaman according to Kitab at-Ta'rifat (Al-Jurjani)

It is the atlantic sphere’s motion’s measure among sages; among theologians: a known advened measuring another imagined advened, as said: I come you at sun’s rising; its rising known, its coming imagined; the imagined joined that known, illusion vanishes.

Zaman according to Dustur al-'Ulama (Al-Ahmadnagari)

Among theologians: a known advened measuring another imagined advened, as said: I come you at sun’s rising; rising a known advened, its coming imagined; imagined joined that known, illusion vanishes. Among sages, the famous Aristotle’s word: the greatest atlantic sphere’s motion’s measure, meaning time a continuous quantity standing by the determined sphere’s motion. If asked: what proof it a quantity? We answer: time admits addition and subtraction, established its place; whatever admits addition and subtraction a quantity: time a quantity. If said: time being quantity suspended on its intrinsically admitting addition and subtraction, forbidden. We answer: at examining and avoiding examining it appears intrinsically admitting both; the detail in the fakhrian glosses.

Zaman according to Mu'jam al-Mustalahat al-Fiqhiyya

Az-zaman and az-zaman: name of time’s little and much; plural azmoun, azman, azmina; azmama at place: dwelling a time; zamantou so-and-so in zaman and zaman: treating him with time. Weighty note of time’s parts: the time: the duration’s measure, plural awqat, timed and limited time: determined. Al-amad: the time, general on end and start, employed metaphorically for the whole duration. Al-barha: barha and barha: the long time, or more general.

Zaman according to Maqalid al-'Ulum (As-Suyuti)

The sphere’s motion’s measure, being the inclined hours’ parts.

Zaman according to At-Tawqif (Al-Munawi)

A divisible duration applied little and much. Zaman the atlantic sphere’s motion’s measure among sages; theologians: a known advened measuring another imagined advened, as said: I come you at sun’s rising; its rising known, coming imagined; imagined joined the known, illusion vanishes.

Related terms: Zaman

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