التطبيقات البلاغية في تفسير الزمخشري: دراسة في علم البديع

Rhetorical Applications in Al-Zamakhshari’s Tafsir: A Study in the Science of Al-Badī‘ DOI:https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18692047

Abstract

This study examines the rhetorical applications in Al-Zamakhshari’s Qur’anic exegesis (Al-Kashshāf) with a specific focus on the science of Al-Badī‘—the branch of Arabic rhetoric concerned with stylistic and aesthetic devices. Al-Kashshāf stands as one of the most influential works in rhetorical Qur’anic interpretation, demonstrating Al-Zamakhshari’s exceptional mastery of Arabic eloquence and his ability to use rhetorical principles to clarify the meanings and subtleties of the Qur’anic text.

The study adopts a descriptive–analytical method, collecting selected examples from Al-Kashshāf and analyzing them through the lens of classical rhetorical theory. It explores Al-Zamakhshari’s use of various Badī‘ devices such as antithesis, parallelism, paronomasia, saj‘ (rhymed prose), tawriya (double entendre), and stylistic shifts. Through these devices, Al-Zamakhshari reveals the aesthetic harmony, semantic precision, and rhythmic beauty inherent in the Qur’anic discourse.

The findings show that Al-Zamakhshari does not regard Badī‘ as mere decoration; rather, he employs it as an interpretive tool that illuminates semantic relationships, highlights textual coherence, and deepens the reader’s understanding of the Qur’anic message. His rhetorical analyses demonstrate a careful integration of form and meaning, showcasing the Qur’an’s artistic structure and communicative power.

The study concludes that Al-Zamakhshari’s rhetorical applications significantly enriched the field of Qur’anic exegesis and contributed to shaping later scholarship in Arabic rhetoric. It also recommends further research linking classical rhetorical analysis with modern linguistic and stylistic approaches to broaden the understanding of Qur’anic eloquence.