فجج

Core meaning

The passage opened through what blocks the way: a wide road between the heights, which lets one advance and find one's bearings.

Uses

1. فِجَاج → "passes" : the ways opened on the earth, given so that one may advance in them.

   • «لِّتَسْلُكُوا۟ مِنْهَا سُبُلًۭا فِجَاجًۭا» — "that you may follow therein ways, wide passes" (71:20)
   • «وَجَعَلْنَا فِيهَا فِجَاجًۭا سُبُلًۭا» — "and We made in it passes and ways" (21:31)

2. فَجّ → "a path" : the path cut into the heights, by which one comes from afar.

   • «يَأْتِينَ مِن كُلِّ فَجٍّ عَمِيقٍۢ» — "coming from every distant, deep-cut path" (22:27)

Evidence from the text

The three uses state an opened way. In 21:31, the passes follow the anchors placed on the earth, and they serve for orientation: "perhaps they will guide themselves" (21:31). In 71:19-20, the earth made "an expanse" (71:19) receives ways that one follows. In 22:27, the path is "distant, deep-cut": those who come to the Hajj arrive from afar, by roads cut into the heights.

Distinctions

• سبل — the way: the course one follows and the conduct of a life, whereas فجّ states the opening itself

See also

رسو (the anchors)