Al-Imam Mohammed Bin Saud Islamic University

College of Languages and translation

Department of English

The Phenomenon of Relativism (1)

One of the miracles of human speech is that one word might bear various possibilities in meanings. They match to the idea that they are built upon the rule: "relative content of meaning" which means that one word or expression might bear more than one meaning, a near and a far one. The sole utterance might possess different degrees of the same meaning; the near, the far, the farther and the farthest. It the same in the use of the word "hand" to express and refer to a variety of truthful meanings. It might be referring to a human hand, or to a certain anatomic biological field of knowledge referring to certain living objects or creatures whether high or low in ranking. The same word might also refer to bounty, awarding, power or capability to act.

The words a "hand", a "leg" or an "eye" etc ... among other words and expressions that refer to the mere living creatures. We say hand of the monkey, leg of the bee, eye of the butterfly .. etc. In the same time they can be used to address ultimate values.

Allah The Almighty says " ... the hand of Allah is over their hands" (Fath , verse 10)

Allah The Almighty says " ... in order that you may be brought up under my eye" (Taha, verse: 20)

The same word is used to refer to two far fetched meanings. Relativity is not limited to material significances but they ascend to moral values such as justice, compassion and capability ... etc. They are attributes which man can enjoy the most of which. However, the ultimate values refer only to God The Almighty.

Arabic language id one of the most flexible meanings. Flexibility is considered a standard criterion of this language and its ability to overwhelm meanings. The sole utterance in Arabic can be used in different usages of meaning among which are the near one that is used and known by people in their practical activities of life, and the far one or ones hidden under the letters of the common word. The possible