Surrat al Lahab A study of the Phonetic Miracle in the Holy Quran

Section: Research Paper
Published
Jun 24, 2025
Pages
359-384

Abstract

This paper has tackled the study of Surrat al Lahab phonetically from the point of changes on the different levels of language. Variations on the two levels have been investigated. First on the lexical level as in the phonetic morphological and lexicographic change. Second on the sentence level as in the semantic, and grammatical structure change. The study has proved that sounds have an independent value, regardless, of its communicative task. The unique phonetic proportion in the Holy Quran prohibits substitution of the lexical terms even in the case of synonymies. This is due to the fact that substitution will not lead to the precise meaning or its real value. On the contrary, substitution leads definitely to a semantic change and loses its miracle. The structure of these synonymies as well may not achieve the phonetic purpose in the context of the Quranic sentence which leads to disharmony with the Quranic structure in its internal rhythem or external one. The paper has found out many conclusions among which the followings. The strong sounds occurred with high frequency to match the theme of the surrah which is threatening and frightening. The occurrance of sounds contributes in supporting the semantic connotation of the surrah. (M) has occurred (10) times which denotes pain and moaning resulted from torture. (B) has occurred (10) times to match blowing which contains blaze that increases by the act of blowing. The Qalqala is in harmony with the worry and unrest from which Abu Lahab and his wife suffer. The attempt to change the lexical terms of the Surrah has led to form new syllables, not found originally in the text. Consequently, these terms with its phonetic syllables have given rich meaning and denotations. The curve based on the phonetic terms has solved the controversial debates of grammarians. The syntactic order of the terms contribute wonderfully in supporting the semantic meanings of the Surrah. The morphological analysis has been done in the same lines of the sounds and meanings. Each enhances the other. From the architectural point of view, the verses of the Surrah through the number of its sounds or its phonetic syllables and their structural arrangements provide us with different architectural forms with numerous meanings contribute in supporting the ultimate meaning and its harmony inimitably.

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How to Cite

Ahmad, A., & عزة. (2025). Surrat al Lahab A study of the Phonetic Miracle in the Holy Quran. Adab Al-Rafidayn, 33(37), 359–384. https://doi.org/10.33899/radab.2003.164994