t-y-n

Description

The Arabic root ṭ-y-n (طين) fundamentally denotes clay, mud, or wet earth, and appears in the Quran primarily in narratives about the creation of humankind and the fashioning of living beings. This root emphasizes the humble, earthly origin of human beings, as Adam and humanity are described as being created from clay or molded earth, underscoring both human physical materiality and dependence on God as Creator. The various derived forms specify different states or types of clay, such as sticky clay, dried clay, or clay from altered mud, reinforcing the Quranic theme of divine power in transforming base matter into living souls.