The Concept of Dzurriyyah in the Qur'an: A Semantic Analysis of Toshihiko Izutsu in Responding to the Childfree Phenomenon

The Qur'anic term dzurriyyah is closely related to lineage, succession, and the continuity of faith. This study aims to reconstruct the semantic meaning and Qur'anic worldview of dzurriyyah using Toshihiko Izutsu's semantic approach and examine its relevance to contemporary discussions on voluntary childfree. This qualitative library research analyzes Qur'anic verses containing dzurriyyah, supported by classical Arabic dictionaries, Qur'anic commentaries, and relevant studies. Data were collected through documentation and analyzed using Izutsu's framework, including basic meaning, relational meaning, semantic field, and Qur'anic worldview reconstruction. The findings indicate that dzurriyyah does not merely refer to biological descendants but encompasses the continuity of faith, transmission of monotheism, leadership regeneration, moral responsibility, and preservation of the prophetic mission. Unlike other Qur'anic terms for offspring, dzurriyyah emphasizes the quality and religious role of future generations as inheritors of divine values. The Qur'anic worldview therefore presents offspring as both a divine trust (amānah) and a means of sustaining religion and civilization. This semantic reconstruction provides a conceptual framework for understanding voluntary childfree within the broader Qur'anic perspective. The study concludes that dzurriyyah is fundamentally oriented toward the formation of righteous generations as a foundation for maintaining the continuity of the Muslim community and its values.