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Quran Knowledge Graph Schema

The schema of the Quran Knowledge Graph defines how different types of information are structured and connected. This page explains the schema in both non-technical and technical terms.

Schema Overview

Schema overview diagram The Quran Knowledge Graph contains several types of nodes (entities) and relationships that connect them. This structure allows for rich, interconnected representation of the Quranic text and related knowledge.

Node Types (Entities)

Surah (Chapter)

Surahs are the 114 chapters of the Quran. Properties include:
  • Surah number (1-114)
  • Name in Arabic and English
  • Revelation place (Mecca or Medina)
  • Revelation order
  • Number of verses
  • Brief description

Verse

Verses (ayat) are the individual units of revelation within each surah. Properties include:
  • Verse key (e.g., “2:255” for Surah 2, Verse 255)
  • Arabic text (Uthmani script)
  • Position information (juz, hizb, ruku)
  • Revelation context
  • Sajdah indication (whether prostration is recommended)
  • Vector embedding (for semantic search)

Word

Words are the individual Arabic words within each verse. Properties include:
  • Arabic text
  • Position in verse
  • Grammatical information (part of speech, gender, number)
  • Vector embedding

Root Word

Root words are the linguistic roots from which Arabic words are derived. Properties include:
  • Arabic text (typically three consonants)
  • Basic meaning
  • Derived forms

Topic

Topics represent thematic elements addressed in the Quran. Properties include:
  • Name
  • Description
  • Related concepts
  • Vector embedding

Tafsir

Tafsir entries are scholarly interpretations of verses. Properties include:
  • Author/source
  • Text
  • Time period
  • Methodology (e.g., linguistic, legal, spiritual)

Translation

Translations are verse renderings in different languages. Properties include:
  • Language
  • Translator
  • Text
  • Year
  • Approach (literal vs. interpretive)

Relationship Types

CONTAINS

Connects a container to what it contains:
  • Surah CONTAINS Verse
  • Verse CONTAINS Word

HAS_ROOT

Connects a word to its linguistic root:
  • Word HAS_ROOT RootWord

ADDRESSES_TOPIC

Connects a verse to topics it addresses:
  • Verse ADDRESSES_TOPIC Topic
  • With properties like relevance score

HAS_TAFSIR

Connects a verse to its interpretations:
  • Verse HAS_TAFSIR Tafsir

HAS_TRANSLATION

Connects a verse to its translations:
  • Verse HAS_TRANSLATION Translation

SIMILAR_TO

Connects semantically similar verses:
  • Verse SIMILAR_TO Verse
  • With properties like similarity score and similarity type

REFERENCES

Connects verses that reference each other:
  • Verse REFERENCES Verse
  • With properties like reference type

Schema Visualization

Detailed schema diagram

Non-Technical Explanation

Think of the schema as a blueprint for how information is organized:
  • Surahs are like books containing verses
  • Verses contain words, which come from root words
  • Verses address various topics
  • Scholars provide interpretations (tafsir) of verses
  • Translators create translations of verses in different languages
  • Some verses are similar to or reference other verses
This organization allows you to navigate the Quran in many ways:
  • Follow the traditional chapter and verse structure
  • Explore by topic or theme
  • Trace linguistic connections through root words
  • Compare different interpretations and translations
  • Discover verses with similar meanings

Technical Details

For developers and technical users, here’s the graph schema definition in Cypher:

Schema Evolution

The schema evolves over time as we add new data sources and capabilities. Recent and planned additions include:
  • Hadith connections to verses
  • Historical context nodes
  • Linguistic feature nodes (rhetorical devices, grammar patterns)
  • User annotation capabilities
For more technical details about working with the schema, see the Graph Database Implementation page.