The art of tajāhul al-Arif in the Qur'ān as a mode of address that leads the addressee to reflection

. In the Qur'ān, certain verses have been revealed either in the form of interrogative expressions or in a non-interrogative manner, depending on the intended rhetorical purpose. Some of these questions are not genuine inquiries but rather serve specific rhetorical functions aimed at leaving a particular impression on the audience. These examples can often be associated with the rhetorical device known as tajāhulu- ʿārif—the figure of feigned ignorance—employed to convey subtle meanings and nuances. Among the various rhetorical arts found in the Qur'ān, tajāhulu-ʿārif stands out for its capacity to stimulate contemplation in the addressee. This device is examined here within the framework of address and audience, from both a reflective and exegetical perspective. In this study, the frequent appearance of tajāhulu-ʿārif in the Qur'ān in the form of rhetorical questions and direct address will be analyzed in light of its oratorical quality and the interpretative depth it gains through the perspectives of classical and modern exegetes. The research focuses on analyzing the Qur'ānic verses that include this rhetorical art, both in terms of the subtleties they convey and their exegetical dimensions. The study is structured in three main chapters, drawing upon classical and modern sources in Arabic and Turkish rhetoric and Qur'ānic exegesis: The first chapter discusses the nature of Qur'ānic address, the relationship between the Qur'ān and its audience, and the rhetorical aspect of tajāhulu-ʿārif within this discourse. Upon examining examples of this rhetorical device, it becomes evident that such address often functions as a didactic method designed to provoke thought and reflection in the audience, aiming to refine their intellectual and spiritual faculties. For this reason, the first chapter is devoted to this theme. The second chapter outlines the conceptual framework of tajāhulu-ʿārif based on its definitions in both classical and modern works of rhetoric, accompanied by numerous examples from Arabic poetry. It then explores the differing terminologies and naming conventions used by scholars for this device, addressing the reasons behind these divergences. The examples are categorized into affirmative and negative vii forms. The chapter further elaborates on the rhetorical subtleties (nukat) of the device, establishing its boundaries and clarifying its distinctions and overlaps with similar rhetorical figures. In this context, a wide range of accessible Arabic and Turkish rhetorical sources have been utilized. The third chapter is dedicated to verses of the Qur'ān that contain the rhetorical device of tajāhulu-ʿārif. These verses are classified under two main categories: those that employ an interrogative style and those that do not. Each selected verse is presented in its original Arabic form along with a Turkish translation, numbered in the order they appear in the muṣḥaf. Following this, the rhetorical purpose behind the use of tajāhulu-ʿārif in each verse is identified, based on selected exegetical works and limited to the interpretations of their respective authors. Divergences in interpretation among the commentators regarding the subtleties of these verses are also addressed in the relevant sections of the study. Keywords: Tafsir, Rhetoric, ʿIlm al-Badīʿ, Tajāhul al-ʿĀrif, Address, Reflection.