Words in the Qur’anic text have always captivated me—not merely for their linguistic significance, but for the restlessness they stir within, the unease of questioning, and the deep internal resonance that refuses to be silenced. In the midst of this contemplation, I have often found myself pausing before a single word that reopens the eternal question of human responsibility: "Kasb" (to earn or to acquire).

I chose this word not because its meaning is strange or complex, but precisely because of its closeness and familiarity in speech—yet its meaning is profound. It echoes the human heartbeat and intention, confronting a person plainly with their actions, their choices, and their consequences.

In the Qur’an, kasb is not merely an act of obtaining or acquiring. It is a revealing gateway into the nature of the relationship between the servant and their Lord, and the moral weight of human deeds in both this world and the hereafter.

In this study, I aimed to analyze this word from multiple angles. I began with its linguistic root, examined its derivatives, and traced its presence in classical Arabic dictionaries. I then delved into the concepts of free will and responsibility as portrayed in the Qur’an, exploring how theologians and scholars of creed addressed it—especially in the context of divine will, human choice, and moral accountability.

Following that, I immersed myself in the Qur’anic text to investigate how God, exalted be He, employed this word in different verses—sometimes within the context of mercy, and at other times in the context of punishment. I discovered that kasb in the Qur’an is presented as an act infused with intention, held accountable before divine justice. It is a word that marks the difference between a person striving toward good, aware of its impact, and another who disregards the echo of their actions in the scale of the heavens.

In this study, I adopted an analytical and exegetical approach, drawing upon major works of Qur’anic interpretation and authentic Arabic lexicons. This was my attempt not only to write through the lens of a researcher but also with the heart of a contemplative soul—one who sees in every Qur’anic word a personal call, a message never uttered in vain.

This study is divided into two chapters:

• Chapter One: The Linguistic Structure of the Word Kasb

• Chapter Two: The Contextual Meanings of Kasb in the Holy Qur’an

Through this research, I have concluded that the word kasb serves as one of the keys to a deep understanding of the Qur’an. It brings us face to face with a precise concept of recompense, redefines the meaning of freedom and intention, and teaches us that everything we earn—no matter how small it may seem today—shapes an eternal destiny. It affirms that divine justice overlooks nothing, and that it is from God's mercy that what we earn is the result of our own doing, not something imposed upon us.