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The question

Does the Qur'an use the name "village" (القرية) for places whose people are known for stinginess, and "city" (المدينة) for places whose people are known for generosity?

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Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Oct 24, 20261 min readAlso available in العربية
The answer

The texts of revelation mention that the names "village" (قرية) and "city" (مدينة) are used for the same entity. In Surat Al-Kahf and Surat Yasin, both words are used to refer to the same place.

Al-Shawkani, Al-Qurtubi, and Ibn Kathir indicated that this usage demonstrates the linguistic permissibility of applying the name "city" to a "village," which was common among Arabs at the time of the Quran's revelation.

As for the distinction between "village" and "city," it is a customary distinction based on common usage among people, rather than a linguistic one. "Village" (قرية) refers to any place where buildings are connected and settled, and this term applies to cities and other settlements. Thus, the distinction between them is merely a conventional اصطلاح (term/convention).

Summary from Ftawy's records · added here

Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.

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Ftawy
Original fatwa ID
5616
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Text
Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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