Argumentation Structure in Sữrat Yữsuf: A Syntactico-pragmatic Perspective

Abstract

Although the Glorious Qur'an attracted the attention of many western scholars, they rarely analyze the interplay between syntax, pragmatics and rhetoric in the overall polemical sphere of investigation of the Qur'anic argumentation. Thus, the study aims to bridge this gap via a qualitative discourse pragmatic method to investigate the syntactic and pragmatic devices and strategies in the Qur'anic argumentation structure as reflected in sữrat Yữsuf. The study firstly concentrated on tracing the notion of Hijãj (Polemics) in the Arabic rhetorical history. The eclectic model of analysis of the strategies that are employed in the selected sữra included syntactic stylistic devices, rhetorical questions, argumentative structures, speech acts and persuasive rhetorical modes (logos, pathos and ethos). The findings submitted that sữrat Yữsuf has a highly organized structure of argumentation which is based on a set of stylistically sparkling dialectic, syntactic, pragmatic and rhetorical devices and strategies. It is also found that the modes of argumentation are interlinked to achieve the main objectives and themes beyond the message of the sữra. The integration of these strategies is the pivotal reason for the effective persuasive effect in the Glorious Qur'an as represented in the sữra under scrutiny. All types of clauses such as interrogatives, vocative, exclamative and declaratives are rhetorically and effectively used to foster the persuasive and dialectic power of arguments in this holy verse.