Ketab-E-Qayyem

Ketab-E-Qayyem

An Evaluation of Wansbrough's View on the Functions of the word 'Qul' in the Quran

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
1 PhD in Quran and Hadith sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
2 Professor, Department of Quran and Hadith Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
3 Associate professor, Department of Quran and Hadith Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
10.30512/kq.2024.20674.3760
Abstract
According to John Wansbrough, the Quranic text is organized through various literary formulas. He identifies three main structures, with the "apodictic formula" representing a divine command. He considers the imperative verb 'Qul' (Say) the most frequent example of this structure and proposes four functions for it, the most important of which is to introduce phrases that cannot be directly attributed to God. Based on this, Wansbrough suggests that 'Qul' might be a redactional insertion intended to unify the text by replacing prophetic speech with direct divine discourse. Through a descriptive-analytical and critical method, this study examines the forms and functions of the word 'Qul' in the Quran. It demonstrates that its functions are far more numerous and sometimes contrary to Wansbrough's claims. The study identifies its primary function as creating a space for dialogue and responding to implicit questions. Furthermore, by evaluating Wansbrough's view, the paper concludes that his hypothesis about 'Qul', i.e., being an addition, is untenable based on the literary and comparative analysis of the Quranic text.
Keywords

Subjects


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  • Receive Date 26 September 2023
  • Revise Date 18 January 2024
  • Accept Date 21 January 2024