Rhetorical Deviation In Verbs And The Impact Of The Quranic Meaning

Abstract

This study approaches the Qur’an as a text distinguished by its supreme eloquence, in which linguistic structure is intricately integrated with intended semantic purpose. Verbal forms play a fundamental role in constructing Qur’anic meaning and conveying the divine message with the highest degree of psychological impact on the human recipient. The research focuses on the phenomenon of rhetorical deviation in verbs, namely the shift from one verbal form to another within the same verse, considering it one of the most significant expressive devices through which Qur’anic rhetorical inimitability is manifested. Past and present tense forms are not employed in a rigid, reportive manner; rather, they are deliberately selected in accordance with contextual and expressive requirements.

The study is grounded in the premise that shifts between verbal forms carry profound rhetorical and psychological dimensions that transcend their apparent temporal meanings. Such shifts do not merely serve linguistic purposes; they also perform psychological, educational, and behavioral functions, particularly in portraying the conduct of previous nations or disbelievers as emphasized in the Qur’an. The research opens broader horizons for a deeper understanding of the Qur’anic text, revealing the precision in selecting verbal forms and their complete harmony with the overall context, rhetorical intent, and the psychological effect intended to be produced in the recipient.