Rhetorical analyses of ambiguous (Mutashabih) verses: Theory and practice in the context of Dalā'il Al-i'jāz

Rhetorical studies occupy a prominent position within the broader field of Qur'anic sciences. These studies aim to explore the concept of iʿjāz in the Qur'an, uncover its rhetorical dimensions, and respond to criticisms directed at the Qur'anic text and its miraculous nature. While the Qur'anic discourse contains muhkam (decisive and clear) verses composed of explicit expressions, it also includes mujmal (concise) and mutashābih (ambiguous or allegorical) verses that are more challenging to interpret. Some mutashābih verses are considered ambiguous due to their semantic obscurity, while others are classified as such based on verbal similarity. Since the early stages of revelation, mutashābih verses have been the subject of extensive scholarly debate. In particular, verses that exhibit lexical similarity have given rise to varying interpretations from grammatical and rhetorical perspectives. Some of these interpretations have even asserted the presence of grammatical or rhetorical inconsistencies in the Qur'anic text. Muslim scholars have consistently upheld the view that the Qur'an constitutes a miraculous form of speech in every respect. They have engaged in systematic efforts to demonstrate this inimitability and to respond to the critiques advanced by opposing voices. Among the most influential figures in this intellectual tradition is ʿAbd al-Qāhir al-Jurjānī, who, in his seminal work Dalā'il al-Iʿjāz, argued that the miracle of the Qur'an lies in its nazm—its unique syntactic and semantic composition. Al-Jurjānī posited that the Qur'an's inimitability resides neither solely in its vocabulary nor exclusively in its meanings, but rather in the intricate interplay between the two within a coherent, integrated structure. His theory has since become a foundational reference in the field of Arabic rhetoric and has significantly influenced later scholars and Qur'anic exegetes, including al-Zamakhsharī. This study conducts a rhetorical analysis of selected Qur'anic verses that exhibit verbal similarity, drawing upon the theoretical framework laid out in Dalā'il al-Iʿjāz. The primary objective is to contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the Qur'anic text and to offer reasoned responses to the criticisms directed at these verses. The research identifies key grammatical and rhetorical principles that are essential for the interpretation of such verses and applies these principles to selected examples. Through this analytical approach, the study seeks to demonstrate that the grammatical and rhetorical structures embedded in mutashābih verses serve not only to refute unfounded criticisms but also to affirm the Qur'an's inimitability in both form and content. Moreover, it underscores the vital role of classical Arabic rhetoric in revealing the aesthetic richness and eloquence of the Qur'anic language, thereby reaffirming the significance of rhetorical sciences in the exegesis and appreciation of the Qur'an