The Holy Qur'an as a Standard for Accuracy and Eloquence: A Linguistic and Rhetorical Study between Ancient and Modern Scholars
Keywords:
The Holy Qur'an, Standard, Linguistic Accuracy, Rhetorical EloquencAbstract
The early scholars, both linguists and rhetoricians, examined the texts and
established their rules based on them. However, some of them—due to
political, racial, or religious circumstances—rejected certain texts while
accepting others. This led to the creation of rules that require
reconsideration due to the absence of some texts from the rule-makers.
Now, with the passage of time, we have more linguistic material available
to us than the ancient grammarians and rhetoricians had. It is necessary to
reconsider those rules with a view that considers those correct and eloquent
texts so as not to hastily dismiss or criticize those who express themselves in
a manner consistent with what they have memorized from the Qur'an or
the noble Prophetic Hadith. If adjustment is necessary, it should not be
limited to what Dr. Maki al-Ansari proposed. The proposed adjustment—
or revision—should bring all grammatical and rhetorical rules to the table
for discussion, comparing them with all correct linguistic texts. Naturally,
the codification will not approve everything that the linguistic texts
contain, but it could say, for example, that the predominant rule is such,
while allowing other variations because the language includes them.
Priority, according to the study, should be given to the authentic Qur'anic
readings, followed by other texts based on their reliability in terms of
transmission and isnad, ensuring they are not influenced by poetic or prose
constraints or other aspects of Arabic speech.