Mapping the Trends in Stylistics Studies of the Qur’an in Iran

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

• Mohammad Mahdi Ajilian Mafogh ¹
• Younes Bamary ²

¹ Assistant Professor, Department of Qur’anic Sciences and Islamic Jurisprudence, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran

² Instructor, Islamic Azad University, Iranshahr Branch and PhD Candidate, Department of Qur’an and Hadith Studies, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran

10.22067/jquran.2025.90398.1759

Abstract

Employing content analysis and comparative study of the relevant works, this paper seeks to identify the major trends that have emerged in stylistics studies of the Qur’an in Iran, examining these trends in terms of their chronology, key figures, and distinctive features. The findings indicate that during the period spanning from the mid-1990s to the summer of 2024, Qur’anic stylistic studies in Iran have passed through three distinct phases: (1) the introduction of stylistic discussions, (2) their growth and expansion, and (3) the emergence of more sophisticated and critical stylistic methodologies. The first stage (mid-1990s to early 2000s) is marked by generality, lack of clear frameworks, limited applicability, and weakness in theoretical foundations. The second stage sees greater theoretical rigor, increased application to Qur’anic verses, a proliferation of studies—albeit often repetitive—and diversity in stylistic approaches. The third period is characterized by a focus on a single linguistic layer or a specific component of a linguistic layer, a deepening of studies, the emergence of a critical stylistic approach, and the establishment of links between stylistic studies and other branches of linguistics, such as semantics and pragmatics.

Keywords

• analytical survey of the currents
• linguistics
• stylistics
• Qur’anic studies

Main Subjects

• Stylistics of the Qurʾan

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