Tābūt (تابوت) in Islam
Definition
Tābūt (تابوت) is an Arabic term used in various contexts within Islamic tradition and literature. This term is most famously mentioned in the Qur’an and holds significant historical and religious connotations.
Etymology
Tābūt derives from the Arabic root “ت ب أ” (t-b-’), which conveys the meaning of “a chest” or “box”. The Hebrew equivalent term is “תֵּבָה (Tēbāh)”, commonly used for Noah’s Ark and the Ark of Bulrushes, but not for the Ark of the Covenant, which is denoted by “אָרוֹן (Ārōn)” in the Hebrew Bible.
Arabic and Turkish Translations
- Arabic: تابوت
- Turkish: Tabut
Qur’anic Significance
The Ark of the Covenant
One of the profound mentions of Tābūt is in the context of the Ark of the Covenant. In the Qur’an, Sūrah al-Baqarah 2:249 states:
<p>“Verily the sign of his (Saul’s) kingship shall be that the Ark (Tābūt) shall come to you: and in it Sakīnah from your Lord, and the relics left by Moses and Aaron; the angels shall bear it.”</p>
Commentators such as al-Baiẓāwī have varied interpretations of the Sakīnah, ranging from it being an idol of emeralds or rubies to a representation of peace and divine presence. Al-Jalālān highlights the relics within the Ark, including the fragments of the Tablets of Law, the rod, robes, and shoes of Moses, among other items of great significance to the Israelites.
Coffin or Bier
Tābūt also refers to a coffin or bier used for the burial of the dead. This usage extends to Islamic funeral traditions and rituals.
Representation of the Funeral of al-Ḥusain
Within the context of Muharram commemorations, particularly during the event of Ashura, the term Tābūt is used to represent the symbolic funeral of Imam al-Ḥusain ibn Ali, a central figure in Shia Islam.
Ark for the Child Moses
Another significant mention of Tābūt is in Sūrah Taha 20:39, where the term describes the ark in which the infant Moses was placed by his mother to save him from the Pharaoh’s decree:
<p>“When We spake unto thy mother what was spoken: ‘Cast him into the ark: then cast him on the sea [the river], and the sea shall throw him on the shore: and an enemy to me and an enemy to him shall take him up.’ And I myself have made thee an object of love, That thou mightest be reared in Mine eye.”</p>
Further Studies
For a deeper understanding of the concept of Tābūt and its implications in Islamic tradition, consider the following books:
- “The Qur’an and its Biblical Subtext” by Gabriel Said Reynolds
- “The Meaning of the Holy Qur’an” by Abdullah Yusuf Ali
- “An Introduction to Islamic Theology” by David Waines
Takeaways
- Tābūt holds multiple meanings ranging from the Ark of the Covenant, to a coffin, and even a symbolic representation in Islamic traditions.
- It has deep connections not only in Islamic theology but also reflects historical intersections with Judeo-Christian narratives.
- Tābūt provides a fascinating glimpse into how Islamic texts have preserved and integrated elements from previous Abrahamic faiths.
Conclusion
The Tābūt is a term loaded with religious, cultural, and theological significance in Islam. Its multifaceted usage in the Qur’an and later Islamic traditions underlines its importance and the depth of its historical roots. Understanding this term enriches one’s knowledge of Islamic theology and its broader cultural and interfaith contexts.
