Stylistics Studies of the Holy Quran

Stylistics Studies of the Holy Quran

The Effect of Textual Context/Coherence in Semantic Interpretation of Quranic Verses and Its Variants

Document Type : Original Article

Author
Behrouz Soraghi
Assistant Professor of Fiqh and Islamic Law Department of Ayatollah Boroujerdi University
10.22034/sshq.2025.226011
Abstract
Extended Abstract
Any spoken or written text must adhere to the rules, symbols, indicators, and grammatical structures of a language to ensure proper formation and to effectively convey the speaker's or writer's intent. In this regard, mastering the principles of jurisprudence—a structured discipline for interpreting the apparent meaning, text, and wording of the Quran in fields such as exegesis, jurisprudence, theology, and ethics—is of special importance. This is particularly true in cases where the primary intent of the verses appears to conflict with their literal meaning. Considering the textual context and coherence of the Quran is essential for accurately understanding its meaning and the divine intent. Although the Quran possesses unparalleled eloquence and clarity, its true intent may sometimes lie beyond the apparent meaning of its words due to factors such as metaphor, synonymy, polysemy, ambiguity, rhetorical nuances, and the semantic evolution of words over time. Overlooking these aspects can lead the reader away from the intended message. This is because the speaker's intended meaning reflects their inner thoughts, and words, whether written or spoken, give expression to these thoughts and intentions, making them evident to others. This ability is the tangible manifestation of eloquent expression, setting humans apart from other beings. The accurate interpretation of speech and writing, as well as the precise understanding of the speaker's intent, relies on the proper articulation of words and their organized arrangement within the context and structure of sentences and propositions. To ensure understanding and mutual comprehension, every language has established rules. Adherence to the rules of spoken and written language—in terms of structure, composition, eloquence, and rhetoric by the speaker and writer on the one hand, and the decoding of these signs and uncovering of meanings through a proper understanding of the role of words and sentences within the structure of the text and discourse by the audience on the other—ensures the accurate transmission and reception of the message. Considering the goal the speaker has in mind and their intention to convey it to the listener, they arrange words and expressions in a way that, if altered, could change the intended meaning. The entire skill of the audience and the interpreter of the text lies in extracting meaning and uncovering the speaker's intent from the arrangement of these words, sentences, and their structure. Through this reverse process, they should arrive at the speaker's mental concept, which is referred to as the textual context or coherence. This principle is of even greater importance in the Quran. Therefore, the first step in properly understanding the Quran is to pay attention to and understand its textual clues. The study of the Quran's language becomes more complex because, despite its timeless nature, it was not revealed in a vacuum; it needed to establish a profound connection with the people of its time. Therefore, the Quran utilized the vocabulary of its era, making it relevant for all times and generations. This very fact makes the correct and precise understanding of the text reliant on recognizing both textual and extratextual clues. In this research, which is based on a library study method and the analysis of collected studies from Al-Mizan and other interpretive and jurisprudential sources, it has been concluded that context plays a significant role in understanding Quranic verses. Allameh Tabatabai, in uncovering the purposes of verses, frequently relied on context to determine the referent of pronouns, derive jurisprudential rulings, expand meanings, and more. The importance of this issue is such that ignoring contextual clues can be considered one of the factors that disrupt the understanding of the text, whether written or spoken. To understand context, one must consider its various levels, which are referred to as the siyaq of the sentence, the siyaq of the verses (ayat), and the siyaq of the surahs. Sometimes, the meaning of a sentence changes when two words are placed together. For example, the word "din" (religion) is used in various meanings throughout the Quran. When it appears next to the word "yawm" (day) in Surah Al-Fatiha, it carries a different meaning than when it is used in the verse "lakum dinukum wa liyy din" ("To you your religion, and to me my religion") in Surah Al-Kafirun.
Keywords
Quran
Context
Text
Implication of words
Principles of jurisprudence

Subjects

Quran;
Nahjul-Balagha;
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Stylistics Studies of the Holy Quran
Volume 9, Issue 2 - Serial Number 17
Volume 9, Issue 2 - Serial Number 17, Summer&Winter 2025
November 2025
Pages 102-119

  • Receive Date 04 December 2024
  • Revise Date 10 February 2025
  • Accept Date 11 February 2025
  • Publish Date 23 October 2025