In the Qur’an, Allah (SWT) uses two distinct terms when referring to the dead: qubūr and ajdāth. Both are often translated as “graves,” but in reality, they represent entirely different concepts, particularly when understood in the context of death, decomposition, and resurrection.
1. Qubūr: Earthly Graves
The word qubūr (ُقُبور) refers to the physical burial sites where human bodies are placed. It occurs in the Qur’an approximately eight times and always describes a condition of stillness, silence, or finality:
Al-Ḥajj 22:7
“…and that Allah will resurrect those in the graves (qubūr).”
)وَأَنَّ ٱلَّلَّ يَبْعَثُ مَن فِي ٱلْقُبُورِ(
Fāṭir 35:22
“…you cannot make those in the graves hear.”
)وَمَا أَنتَ بِمُسْمِعٍۢ„ مَّن فِي ٱلْقُبُورِ(
Al-Mumtaḥanah 60:13
“…as the disbelievers have despaired of those in the graves.”
)كَمَا يَئِسَ ٱلْكُفَّارُ مِنْ أَصْحَٰـبِ ٱلْقُبُورِ(
Al-Infiṭār 82:4
“And when the graves are overturned.”
)وَإِذَا ٱلْقُبُورُ بُعْثِرَتْ(
Al-ʿĀdiyāt 100:9
“…when what is in the graves is scattered.”
)إِذَا بُعْثِرَ مَا فِى ٱلْقُبُورِ(
At-Tawbah 9:84
“…nor stand by his grave.”
)وَلََ تَقُمْ عَلَٰى قَبْرِهِ(
ʿAbasa 80:21
“Then He causes him to die and makes his grave.”
)ثُمَّ أَمَاتَهُ فَأَقْبَرَهُ(
At-Takāthur 102:2
“Until you visit the graveyards.”
)حَتَّٰى زُرْتُمُ ٱلْمَقَابِرَ(
These verses refer to known, terrestrial burial sites—still and silent places where human remains are laid to rest.
2. Ajdāth: Scattered Molecular Remains
The word ajdāth (َأْجَداث)—translated here as scattered molecular remains— appears three times in the Qur’an. It never refers to traditional graves but rather to the dispersed elements of the body, from which Allah brings people back to life on the Day of Resurrection.
Yā Sīn 36:51
“And the Trumpet will be blown and behold, they will rush forth from their
scattered molecular remains to their Lord.”
)فَإِذَا هُم ِ’منَ ٱلْجَْْدَاثِ إِلَٰى رَبِ’هِمْ يَنسِلُونَ(
Al-Qamar 54:7
“With humbled eyes, they will emerge from their scattered molecular
remains, like swarming locusts.”
)يَخْرُجُونَ مِنَ ٱلْجَْْدَاثِ كَأَنَّهُمْ جَرَا ٌۭ د مُّنتَشِ ر(
Al-Maʿārij 70:43
“They will emerge swiftly from their scattered molecular remains, as if
racing toward a target.”
)يَخْرُجُونَ مِنَ ٱلْجَْْدَاثِ سِرَا ٌۭ ˝عا(
Each of these verses portrays not stillness, but life, movement, and urgency. Those who have been dead for thousands of years are reanimated and actively returning to their Creator.
Why the Distinction?
Where is the grave of one who drowned in the sea and was consumed by fish?
Where is the grave of someone whose remains were scattered by beasts, wind, or fire?
Where is the grave of a cremated person whose ashes were scattered into the river or sky?
Such individuals leave no traditional graves behind. And yet, the Qur’an
promises they will be resurrected.
“And when the graves are overturned.” (Al-Infiṭār 82:4)
)وَإِذَا ٱلْقُبُورُ بُعْثِرَتْ(
The upheaval of the earth will obliterate burial sites. But ajdāth remain—not as graves, but as the invisible molecular remnants of once-living bodies, waiting to be reassembled by divine will.
How Resurrection Happens from Ajdāth
The Qur’an beautifully likens resurrection to the growth of plants from soil
Moistened by rain:
“And We sent down from the sky blessed water, with which We grew gardens and grain for harvest… And We gave life thereby to a lifeless land—thus will be the resurrection.” (Qāf 50:9–11)
)وَأَحْيَيْنَا بِهِۦ بَلْدَةٌۭ˝ مَّيْتٌۭ˝ا ۚ كَٰذَلِكَ ٱلْخُرُوجُ(
And again:
“And Allah brought you forth from the earth like plants. Then He will return
you to it and bring you out again.” (Nūḥ 71:17–18)
)وَٱلَّلُّ أَنبَتَكُم ِ’منَ ٱلْرَْْضِ نَبَاتٌۭ˝ا ﴿١٧﴾ ثُمَّ يُعِيدُكُمْ فِيهَا وَيُخْرِجُكُمْ إِخْرَا ٌۭ ˝جا ﴿١٨﴾(
These metaphors confirm: resurrection begins at the most fundamental level, through the scattered molecular remains of the human body. From dust to life, Allah regenerates with precision and power.
Theological and Linguistic Precision
Qubūr refer to burial places, the resting spots of death and stillness.
Ajdāth are the scattered, reawakening traces of life, molecular remnants
that God will use to reconstruct human beings.
This distinction is reflected in tone:
Those in qubūr cannot hear or move (Fāṭir 35:22).
Those rising from ajdāth are described as rushing forth (Yā Sīn 36:51),
emerging (Al-Qamar 54:7), and moving rapidly (Al-Maʿārij 70:43).
The language of ajdāth is dynamic, reflecting life reactivated by divine command.
Conclusion: A Resurrection Beyond the Grave
The Qur’an’s use of ajdāth is a powerful reminder: Resurrection does not depend on having a tombstone. Allah’s knowledge encompasses every particle of our being. Whether buried in a marked grave or lost to the elements, nothing is lost to the One who created it.
By translating ajdāth as “scattered molecular remains”, we offer readers both a faithful reflection of the original Arabic and a conceptually accurate term that bridges science and scripture. It affirms the Qur’anic truth: that God’s creative command reaches to the smallest fragments of our existence, calling them back to life.