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This article provides a survey of the various Arabic terms used to denote 'narrative' and 'story'. It discusses the nuances and historical evolution of terms like qissa, sīra, hadith, hikāya, samar, khurāfa, usțūra, riwaya, nādira, khabar, mathal, and maqāma. The analysis explores the etymological origins of these words, their usage in classical and modern Arabic literature, and their relationships to concepts such as history, fiction, anecdote, and proverb. The author highlights how the meanings of these terms have evolved over time and how they have been used to classify different types of narratives in the Arabic literary tradition.

This article explores the contrasting Islamic and Christian perspectives on the concept of the march of time, particularly in relation to the modern theories of evolution and progress. It argues that both Islamic and Christian traditions initially viewed time as a cyclical process of decline, interrupted by divine interventions, rather than a linear progression towards improvement. The article examines how these traditional conceptions contrast with the modern belief in continuous progress, highlighting the spiritual and cultural implications of these different viewpoints. It uses religious texts, historical examples, and philosophical arguments to support its analysis, suggesting that the modern world's emphasis on progress may be seen as a departure from the more traditional understanding of time as a descent from a spiritual zenith.