Stylistics Studies of the Holy Quran

Stylistics Studies of the Holy Quran

Syntactic Layer Stylistics in the Qur’anic Expression“Lā khawfun ʿalayhim wa lā hum yaḥzanūn”

Document Type : Original Article

Author
reza amani
Department of Arabic Language, Faculty of Quranic Sciences, Tehran, University of Holy Quran Sciences and Education
10.22034/sshq.2025.503873.1517
Abstract

Research Objective
This study aims to examine one of the most compelling and inspiring Qur’anic expressions, “Lā khawfun ʿalayhim wa lā hum yaḥzanūn”, using a linguistic approach, and more specifically, layered stylistics. Layered stylistics encompasses multiple levels of analysis; however, this article focuses on the syntactic layer, addressing the primary question: What meanings and implications can syntactic analysis reveal in the expression “Lā khawfun ʿalayhim wa lā hum yaḥzanūn”?Answering this question requires examining more detailed inquiries, such as: Why does this Qur’anic expression employ the general negation lā instead of the generic negation (lā khawfa ʿalayhim)? What is the significance of combining the negation particle lā with the indefinite noun khawf? Why is the preposition ʿalay used instead of alternatives like fī (lā khawfun lahum, lā khawfun fīhim)? What role does the pronoun hum play in wa lā hum yaḥzanūn, given that it could be omitted? Why is the verb yaḥzanūn in the present tense rather than a nominal form like ḥuzn? And why does the first phrase employ a nominal construction (khawf) while the second uses a verbal construction (yaḥzanūn)?Addressing these questions through syntactic layer analysis requires investigating topics such as syntactic supernormativity, focalization, syntactic voice, parallelism, verbal modality, and verbal definiteness, all of which are examined in detail in this study.
Research Methodology
The expression “Lā khawfun ʿalayhim wa lā hum yaḥzanūn” occurs 12 times in the third-person masculine plural and twice in the second-person masculine plural in the Qur’an, totaling 14 occurrences. It is applied to groups such as the faithful, the pious, the charitable, the servants of God, and God’s chosen servants. This study analyzes the stylistic features of this expression using a descriptive-analytical approach and library-based research methods.
Findings
Syntactic layer analysis of the expression demonstrates how linguistic and literary structures contribute to the creation and conveyance of precise and profound meanings. Departing from the audience’s expected linguistic norms (syntactic supernormativity) and employing the focalization variable emphasizes the believers’ lack of fear and grief. Another stylistic variable is the passive voice, which shifts attention from the agents of fear and sorrow to the outcomes of faith—namely, freedom from fear and grief. The expression also employs an inferential epistemic modality, indicating that the natural and inevitable result of true faith, righteous deeds, submission, piety, charity, and perseverance is the absence of fear and sorrow in facing life’s challenges.
Conclusion
The Qur’an, in “Lā khawfun ʿalayhim wa lā hum yaḥzanūn”, uses various syntactic structures to emphasize the speaker’s certainty, clarity, commitment, and adherence to the divine promise. By juxtaposing fear, which relates to future events, and grief, which concerns past occurrences, the text conveys that true believers neither grieve over the past nor fear the future. Their existence is imbued with profound security and tranquility. Consequently, negative emotions cannot dominate them or hinder their pursuit of truth and righteousness.
Keywords
Layered Stylistics
Syntactic Layer
anic Stylistics
Qur&‌‌‌‌‌‌‌rsquo
anic Linguistics
Fear in the Qur&‌‌‌‌‌‌‌rsquo
Grief in the Qur&‌‌‌‌‌‌‌rsquo
an

Subjects

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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 Article ID:8-31

  • Receive Date 01 February 2025
  • Revise Date 28 February 2025
  • Accept Date 31 March 2025
  • Publish Date 23 October 2025