The Semantic Domain of Training on the Basis of Substitute Terms in the Holy Qur’an

Training is one of the most important and fundamental human needs playing essential roles in creating prosperity and leading to perfection, especially if it is taken from religious sources. Since the infinitive form of the word training has not been mentioned in the Holy Qur'an, it is essential to know what other synonyms the Holy Qur'an, as the last and most complete book of divine training, has employed for referring to this concept, and that how these terms relate to the concept of training. To answer this question and to find synonymous terms, the verses of the Holy Quran were reviewed precisely and four words were identified as the substitutes for the concept of training including purification, reformation, growth, and guidance. Investigation of these terms in the verses of the Holy Qur'an through descriptive and analytical method resulted in the fact that each of them shares meaning with training at a special level. Purification and reform are the prerequisites for training and pave the way for one’s growth.  As a conscious effort, growth stands at a higher position than training. Since guidance can be defined at different hierarchical levels, training seems to stand at the first stage of guidance.