b-n-y

Description

The Arabic root بني (b-n-y) carries the core semantic meaning of building, construction, and establishing foundational structures, which extends metaphorically to familial relationships and lineage. In the Quran, this root appears most prominently in words like بنو (banū) meaning children or descendants, as in "Children of Israel" (Banū Isrā'īl), emphasizing the structural bonds of family and community that form the foundation of society. The root's dual significance—referring both to physical construction (building structures) and to the building of family lines through offspring—reflects the Quranic worldview that families and communities are constructed entities requiring the same care, intention, and strength as physical buildings, while also highlighting humanity's role as both biological and civilizational builders on earth.