The Qur’an’s Message on Spirituality and Martyrdom: A Literary and Rhetorical Analysis

Nisha Arya

doi:10.3390/rel8080144

Abstract

Is the Qur’an a spiritual text that links human existence to divine benevolence? Or does the Qur’an advocate martyrdom and justify violence against non-believers? This debate acquired new urgency with the rise of terrorism perpetrated in the name of Islam in the later decades of the twentieth century. On the one hand, the Qur’an provides spiritual guidance to millions of Muslims around the world. On the other, Islamic terrorist organizations draw inspiration from the Qur’an. Some Western experts also cite Qur’anic passages as supporting violence and terrorism. This paper interprets the Qur’an in the tradition of Arab scholars of the early medieval period (eighth century CE) who began al-balāgha, a study of literary devices used in the rhetorical expression of the Qur’an. The paper analyzes how literary and rhetorical elements in the Qur’an have shaped its message on man’s relationship with the divine, as well as two key theological concepts in Islam: requital and final judgment. The paper demonstrates how an appreciation of the Qur’an’s literary and rhetorical elements is critical to understanding its spiritual message, as well as its stance on violence and martyrdom.

Highlights

Is the Qur’an a spiritual text that links human existence to divine benevolence? Or does the Qur’an advocate martyrdom and justify violence against non-believers? This debate acquired new urgency with the rise of terrorism perpetrated in the name of Islam in the later decades of the twentieth century
The paper demonstrates how an appreciation of the Qur’an’s literary and rhetorical elements is critical to understanding its spiritual message, as well as its stance on violence and martyrdom
Numerous devastating terrorist acts have been perpetrated in the name of Islam, giving rise to the term Islamic terrorism (Bar 2004)

Summary

Iltifāt: A Rhetorical Device That Emphasizes Divine Authority

Because rhyme lends itself naturally to chanting and repetition, the Qur’an frequently uses a unique rhetorical device known as iltifāt to retain the attention of the listener during the recitation of long passages. The power of divine authority expressed through iltifāt is seen in two well-known verses that describe the doctrine of qisās, or retaliation in kind: “In the Torah, We prescribed for them a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a nose for a nose, an ear for an ear, a tooth for a tooth, an equal wound for a wound as legal retribution. Those who do not judge according to what God has revealed are doing grave wrong” (Qur’an 5:45–46). By deliberately misinterpreting the divine authority expressed in iltifāt, Islamic terrorist groups have obscured the Qur’an’s message on jurisprudence and benevolence, and used it to legitimize violence and mass killings

Oaths: A Literary Device That Emphasizes Resurrection and Judgment

Metaphors

Conclusions

A World of Others’