An Analysis of Cohesion and Lexical Relations in Surah al-Qamar Based on the Theory of Halliday and Ruqaiya Hasan

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Department of Arabic Language and Literature, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran

2 Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Arabic Language and Literature, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

The study of textual coherence has long been a central concern of literary researchers, many of whom have grounded their analyses in the coherence theory of Michael Halliday and Ruqaiya Hassan. Coherence is achieved through the coexistence of words connected to a specific concept and the semantic links that bind the elements of a text together. Among the types of cohesion (grammatical, lexical, and conjunctive) this essay focuses on a descriptive-analytical study of cohesion and lexical relations in Surah al-Qamar, a Meccan surah, based on Halliday and Hassan’s framework. The aim is to uncover as much as possible of the surah’s aesthetic layers for the audience. The analysis highlights four components: repetition, synonymy, antonymy, and semantic inclusion. The findings reveal that repetition—particularly direct repetition—plays the most significant role in the surah, emphasizing both the warnings and admonitions directed at the polytheists. Synonymy and antonymy, although less frequent than repetition, are nonetheless effective in clarifying meaning. Semantic inclusion, closely linked to the principle of agreement and parallelism, illustrates the themes in greater detail in certain verses. Ultimately, the study shows how, through lexical cohesion, the surah simultaneously conveys warnings to the polytheists, reflects their actions, and affirms the fulfillment of the divine promise.

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References

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Journal of Islamic Literary Studies
Volume 4, Issue 2 - Serial Number 9
November 2025
Pages 61-88

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History

  • Receive Date: 15 August 2024
  • Revise Date: 12 February 2025
  • Accept Date: 13 February 2025

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