Stylistics Studies of the Holy Quran

Stylistics Studies of the Holy Quran

A Phonostylistic Analysis of the Verses of Tranquility (Sakīnah) in the Noble Qur’an with Emphasis on the Views of the Qur’anic Exegetes

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
javad ranjbar 1
Bentolhoda Ashoori 2
1 Assistant Professor of Arabic Language and Literature department of Payame Noor University, Tehran,Iran
2 ; Master's degree in Arabic language and literature, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran.
10.22034/sshq.2025.187549
Abstract
Detailed Abstract
Research Objective: The field of modern stylistics is largely capable of analyzing the essence, effects, and characteristics of Sakīnah, which the Qur’an speaks of with great significance, based on linguistic features in the verses, and effectively revealing the style and rhetorical structure of the targeted verses. Therefore, the main objective of this research is to clarify the nature and position of Sakīnah in the verses of the Qur’an and to extract the important messages of these blessed verses through their phonological characteristics. Due to the strong connection between sentence structure and meaning, as well as thoughts, examining the sounds, words, and syntactic compositions that contribute to the style of the Verses of Sakīnah in order to reach their textual and extratextual implications and to better understand their central message through various linguistic layers is another goal of this research. Thus, because of the critical role these phonetic elements play in the transmission of meaning, the analysis of the phonetic level becomes all the more significant and necessary for the explanation and appreciation of the Divine Word.
Research Methodology: The method chosen for the stylistic analysis of the Verses of Sakīnah is based on a linguistic foundation, which has been analyzed and examined using a structuralist approach to stylistics at four levels: phonetic, lexical, syntactic, and morphological. Thus, the research methodology employed is descriptive-analytical, utilizing library resources, primary sources, and online academic and literary platforms, including the Noor Digital Library and websites hosting relevant dissertations and articles on stylistics. Therefore, in the first step, repeated readings of Qur’anic exegeses and various articles and research studies on the Verses of Sakīnah were conducted. In the next stage, the stylistic elements and components were inferred, and the prominent stylistic features of the mentioned verses were determined. Based on the desired stylistic levels, the phonological level of the stylistic sounds and the coherence of the sounds in the Verses of Sakīnah were analyzed and examined.
Research Findings: The findings of this study indicate that among the three syllabic segments of the mentioned verses—short syllables, open medium syllables, and closed medium syllables—the short syllable has a higher frequency, which is more suited to the space of conveying messages, raising awareness, and evoking attention and emotions. Additionally, the combination of these syllables in the words and their arrangement together creates both the internal and external rhythm of the verses, resulting in a very high frequency. Due to their cohesive connection with the meaning and message of the verse, they have a significant impact on the audience. The study also reveals a significant use of 'repetition' within these verses, aligning with their underlying concepts and objectives. Furthermore, the divine text skillfully employs voiced and voiceless sounds to captivate the listener and convey its message with remarkable beauty and harmony. Voiced sounds are employed to express the decisiveness, firmness, and greatness of the expression, whereas voiceless letters are utilized to depict the atmosphere of peace and hope. The resulting harmony soothes the soul, leading to a sense of tranquility and heightened enthusiasm in the listener. Thus, this research demonstrates that even the most minute phonetic element in these verses contributes to the semantic richness and overall purpose of the text.
Conclusion: The research results indicate that the voiced and voiceless sounds, with the highest frequency, enhance the internal musicality and imagery effectively reflecting the intended meanings. Consequently, the use of voiced sounds is notable in contexts requiring decisiveness and firmness, whereas voiceless sounds are appropriately utilized in situations where the speech necessitates softness and flexibility. Additionally, the combination of these syllables in the words and their arrangement together creates both the internal and external rhythm of the verses. Due to their coherent connection with the meaning and concept of the verses, they have a significant impact on the audience.
Keywords
Holy Qur’an
Verses of Sakīnah
Stylistics
Phonetic Level

Subjects

The Holy Quran
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Stylistics Studies of the Holy Quran
Volume 9, Issue 1 - Serial Number 16
Ninth year, first issue, sixteenth consecutive, spring and summer 2025
May 2025
Pages 164-189

  • Receive Date 04 November 2023
  • Revise Date 01 January 2024
  • Accept Date 06 January 2024
  • Publish Date 21 April 2025