ayah

Ayah is an Arabic term meaning sign or miracle. In Islamic usage, an ayah is a sign from God, and in English-language scholarship and discussion it most commonly refers to a single verse of the Qur’an. The Qur’an is divided into surahs (chapters), which are further divided into ayahs (verses). Each ayah is a unit of revelation that Muslims recite, study, and reflect upon as part of liturgical practice and theological interpretation. The concept of ayah also encompasses signs in creation or history that point to divine guidance.

Etymology and meaning: The word comes from an Arabic root associated with appearing as a sign or indication. In the Qur’anic context, an ayah functions both as a verse and as a sign meant to reveal truth and invite contemplation.

Usage: In translations and scholarship, the plural ayat is frequently used to refer to the verses of the Qur’an collectively. The term ayah can also denote a broader sign of God’s presence or will, including miraculous signs attributed to prophets, natural phenomena, or moral lessons that signal divine guidance.

Name usage: Ayah is also a feminine given name in Arabic-speaking and Muslim communities, conveying the sense of a sign or miracle. Variants and spellings include Aya, Ayya, or Aiyah in different languages and traditions.