The Qur’anic Root K L L
Totality, inclusiveness, and comprehensiveness; encompassing from all sides, or lateral connection.
Important Forms from This Root
Meaning every, all, the whole, or each; the most frequent form of this root.
Relating to inheritance through lateral relatives when no direct descendants or ascendants exist.
Meaning a burden, dependent, or one who is heavy upon another.
Central Meaning
The root K-L-L is primarily recognized through the word kull, which denotes totality or the encompassing of a set. While seemingly simple, its Qur’anic usage is precise. It does not always mean an absolute, infinite totality; sometimes it means "each," "all of a specific set," or "every single one" within a given context.
Method Note
In translation, kull should not be rigidly rendered as "all." The scope is defined by what follows it and the surrounding context. We must distinguish between absolute totality and context-bound totality.
Linguistic Logic
The semantic core involves "encompassing"—taking something from its edges so that no part remains outside. This is the origin of totality. However, the root also branches into concepts of fatigue or dullness (like a blunt sword) and lateral kinship (kalalah), where the direct line is absent.
Material Image
The material image is that of surrounding something from all sides. A thing that is kull is seen in its complete parts, as if its boundaries are closed. In Arabic, إكليل (iklil), meaning a crown or wreath, helps us visualize this encircling nature.
In the branch of Kalalah, the image of "the sides" or "periphery" is key. Unlike direct lineage (vertical), kalalah refers to lateral relatives (horizontal). In the branch of Kall (burden), the image is of something weighing down upon another, unable to move forward on its own.
Older Arabic Usage
In ancient Arabic, kull was a foundational word for expressing inclusiveness. It functioned as a tool to measure the scope of a statement, ensuring it covered every unit of a group. Lexicons also record branches relating to becoming blunt, tired, or being a dependent.
Qur’anic Usage
1. Absolute Inclusiveness
اللَّهُ خَالِقُ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ (Allāhu khāliqu kulli shayʾin)
The God is the Creator of every thing.
39:62
2. Each Individual of a Set
كُلٌّ فِي فَلَكٍ يَسْبَحُونَ (kullun fī falakin yasbaḥūn)
Each is floating in an orbit.
21:33
3. Iterative Totality (Kullama)
كُلَّمَا أَضَاءَ لَهُم مَّشَوْا فِيهِ (kullamā aḍāʾa lahum mashaw fīhi)
Whenever it flashed for them, they walked in it.
2:20
4. Kalalah in Inheritance
وَإِن كَانَ رَجُلٌ يُورَثُ كَلَالَةً (wa-in kāna rajulun yūrathu kalālatan)
And if a man is inherited as kalalah.
4:12
Difference from Nearby Words
- K-L-L vs. J-M-Ayn: Jam' is the act of collecting scattered parts; Kull is the totality of the set.
- K-L-L vs. T-M-M: Tammam refers to reaching completion and perfection; Kull refers to the inclusiveness of all parts.
- K-L-L vs. K-M-L: Kamal denotes maturity and qualitative perfection; Kull denotes quantitative inclusiveness.
Structural Notes
Kull usually functions as a possessive (idafah), where the second noun defines the scope. "Kullama" creates a conditional/temporal structure meaning "whenever" or "every time that."
Translation Suggestions
For Kulli shay', "every thing" is often more precise than "all things." For Kullama, "whenever" is the suggested rendering. The term Kalalah should be preserved and explained as a specific inheritance status for lateral kinship.
Linguistic Summary
The root K-L-L signifies totality and inclusiveness. While kull is the primary tool for expressing scope in the Qur’an, its branches like kalalah (lateral relatives) and kall (burden) show the root's reach into periphery and weight. It differs from tammam and kamal by focusing on the inclusion of members rather than structural perfection.