Verse: "Look at the bones — how We raise them (nunshizuha)" — Al-Baqarah: 259.
The two readings:
- Nunshizuha (with Zay): Nafi', Ibn Amir, Asim, Hamza, Al-Kisa'i, Abu Ja'far, Khalaf
- Nunshuruha (with Ra): Ibn Kathir, Abu Amr, Ya'qub
Linguistic and semantic difference:
- Nunshizuha (Zay): From "nashaza" — to raise and lift — We raise and assemble the bones in their positions. Focuses on the motion of lifting and structural reassembly
- Nunshuruha (Ra): From "nashara" — to resurrect and bring to life. Used elsewhere in the Quran for resurrection. Focuses on revival and bringing back to life
Complementary: Resurrection involves both reviving bones and assembling them — both readings describe different aspects of the same event.
Question: What is the difference between "nunshizuha" and "nunshuruha" in Al-Baqarah 259?
Answer: "Nunshizuha" (Zay): We raise the bones and assemble them — focus on lifting and reassembly. "Nunshuruha" (Ra): We resurrect the bones — focus on revival and bringing back to life.