A Study of the Word Baqiya (Remnant) in the Qurʾān: Its Historical and Theological Implications

Abstract

The Qurʾānic word baqiya بقِيَ (“remnant”) refers to the part that is left from a larger portion, whether it be food, material for making a garment, or even a group of people. In the Qurʾān, it could also refer to someone set aside for a sacred purpose. These individuals are often referred to as “the remnant.” Allāh places great value on such a one. The Arabic term wabaqiyyatun (وَبَقِيَّةٌ), formed by the conjunction wa (“and”) and the nominative feminine indefinite noun baqiyyatun, derives from the root baqiya, conveying the meaning of “that which remains” or “what is left.” As it occurs in the Qurʾān (cf. Sūwar 2:248, 278; 11:86, 116; 53:51; 55:27), the term carries profound theological and moral implications. It is often linked to what remains after a trial or calamity, serving as a symbol of divine favor, endurance, or the enduring presence of something valuable. This paper explores wabaqiyyatun from a Tafsīr (exegetical) perspective, examining its occurrences in the Qurʾānic text and how it has been interpreted by classical and contemporary scholars. By analyzing the contexts in which this term appears, we will uncover its nuanced meanings and the way the Qurʾān uses the word “remnant” (baqiyyatun) to convey theological themes. We will also see how it imparts moral teachings, spiritual resilience, and becomes a symbol of hope, particularly in the face of tribulations and trials. The term baqiyyatun (بَقِيَّةٌ), meaning “remnant,” also plays an important role in Islāmic eschatology, particularly in relation to al-Maʿād (“the Return” or “the Hereafter”), and is closely connected with the concepts of al-Najāt (“salvation”) and al-Ḥukm (“judgment”). Through this exploration, this paper seeks to contribute to a deeper understanding of the term baqiyyatun, not just as a linguistic concept, but also as a term denoting the eschatological remnant people within the broader Qurʾānic narrative.