followed by Safavids in Iran, hadith studies flourished again. The narrators (mostly Shia hadith scholars from two schools of thought: Akhbari and Usuli) have written precious works on various topics such as hadith, hadith collections, rijal, fiqh al-hadith (hadith scholarship), traditional exegesis, etc.

Key Words: Khuzestan Hadith Scholar, Hadith History, Hadith Books.

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The Semantics of "Hifz" of the Qur'an in Traditions

Omid Pishgar
Haidar Masjidi

There are some traditions in Shia and Sunni hadith collections under the topic of the Holy Quran which encourage and persuade hifz through a variety of interpretations. What we are currently witnessed of the word "hifz", is that hifz in the related hadiths only means to keep in mind (or memorize) though it literally means: to care and maintain. In traditions it has been used in both meanings: to keep in mind (or memorize) and practical care. The authors of the present research study try to find the true meaning of "hifz" in these narratives. After viewing the word hifz from different perspectives, they present some examples of the implications of hifz in the Holy Quran and hadith, they conclude that two above-mentioned meanings are ambiguous; however existing evidences suggest that there is no reason to accept one meaning and reject another one though the practical one is closer in meaning.

Key Words: Hifz, the Holy Quran, Hadith, Memorization.