The Concept of Dˁalla (He went astray) in the Quranic Discourse: An Argumentative Approach

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the argumentative techniques and persuasive mechanisms adopted by the Quranic discourse in the verses addressing adˁalal (misguidance) as their main topic as it represents the major issue amongst the other huge Quranic ones. This study adopted the descriptive approach as a tool of analysis and investigation in the light of the linguistic-pragmatic method which paid much attention to argumentation as a pragmatic activity in all its intentional dialogue dimensions, and persuasive and influential goals. To achieve this purpose, the verbal and nominal formulas of the concept dˁalla (He went astray) were investigated in terms of their contextual structure and argumentative movement. Therefore, this study consisted of two topics; viz. the verbal and nominal formulas. A number of findings were revealed; the most important one is that the concept of dˁalla (He went astray) has arisen in its various formulas, necessary and corrective characteristics in a persuasive role that made use of the various argumentative techniques employed by the Quranic discourse within a coherent and interdependent argumentative structure in undermining the opponents’ claims, refuting their arguments, and displaying explicit and implicit results.