Linguistic Guidance of the Ten Readings and its Impact on Revealing Different Meanings: Surah Al-Baqarah as a Model

Abstract

      This study examines the linguistic analysis and grammatical justification of the Ten Qur’anic Readings in Surat al-Baqarah. It further explores the wisdom underlying the multiplicity of Qur’anic readings and its role in revealing the various shades of meaning conveyed by the Qur’anic text, as well as the approaches adopted by grammarians in accounting for and explaining these meanings. In doing so, the study highlights the close relationship between Qur’anic readings and Arabic grammar. Qur’anic readings constitute a fertile field for investigating linguistic phenomena and serve as an important source of linguistic evidence. Grammarians have generally agreed on the precedence of Qur’anic readings as a form of linguistic argumentation and have relied upon them in establishing and substantiating grammatical principles.

      The study adopts both the descriptive and inductive approaches. It is structured into an introduction, two main sections, and a conclusion. The first section introduces the Qur’anic readings and linguistic analysis, clarifying their significance and methodological importance.    The second section focuses on Surat al-Baqarah and examines the grammatical and morphological analysis of the Ten Qur’anic Readings, addressing variations in nouns, verbs, and particles. The study demonstrates that the greatest number of variations in the readings of Surat al-Baqarah occurs in verbs, followed by nouns and then particles.

      Among the most significant findings of the study is that the science of linguistic analysis and justification of Qur’anic readings constitutes an essential methodological tool for identifying the various aspects of the readings and elucidating the meanings they convey.