Deviation to the Active Participle in Quranic Discourse: A Semantic Study

Abstract

This study investigates the rhetorical and semantic phenomenon of deviation to the active participle in the Quran, focusing on its role in demonstrating the precision of Quranic expression and lexical selection. Adopting a semantic approach, the research traces instances in which the Quran departs from verbal or nominal forms in favor of the active participle, revealing the expressive purposes underlying this choice. The study is structured into a theoretical preface that examines the semantic implications of the active participle and the concept of rhetorical deviation, followed by two main sections analyzing deviations from verbs and from nouns. The findings show that classical grammarians and rhetoricians differed in determining whether the active participle primarily conveys occurrence or permanence, while Quranic exegetes tended to rely on rhetorical insights in interpreting these usages. The analysis further demonstrates that deviation to the active participle is widespread in the Quran and that its semantic motivation varies according to context. In most cases, the active participle conveys meanings of permanence and continuity, while in other contexts it signals inevitable realization or the imminence of an event. The study concludes that deviation to the active participle represents a deliberate Quranic strategy that enriches meaning and enhances the rhetorical depth of Quranic discourse.