The Contextual Structure of Quranic Metaphor between the Distinctiveness of Expression and Semiotic Interpretation: An Applied Study of Selected Verses from Surat al-Hajj

Abstract

This study investigates the contextual structure of Quranic metaphor through an applied analysis of selected verses from Surat al-Hajj, with the aim of revealing the distinctive expressive features of Quranic metaphor and its semiotic interpretations. Adopting a semiotic approach supported by hermeneutic analysis, the study moves beyond the traditional perception of metaphor as a purely rhetorical device, treating it instead as an interactive cognitive structure that shapes meaning and guides the reader's understanding of the Quranic worldview. It examines the relationship between metaphor, context, and interpretation while reviewing both classical and contemporary critical perspectives on metaphorical language and semiotic analysis. The findings demonstrate that the metaphors of Surat al-Hajj establish meaningful connections between the temporal world and the Hereafter, with interpretation serving as the bridge linking these two realms. The analysis further reveals that Quranic metaphor functions as an effective epistemological and persuasive instrument by presenting sensory and rational evidence that affirms core Islamic beliefs, particularly resurrection and divine omnipotence. The study concludes that the contextual and semiotic dimensions of Quranic metaphor significantly enrich the interpretive process and contribute to a deeper understanding of the semantic and rhetorical coherence of the Quranic discourse.