REACTIONS AND RESPONSES TO MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT THE QUR’ÉN: A CASE STUDY OF THE NARRATION OF ×AFÎDOWN TO ÑÓÎIM

Abstract

This research aims toprove that the language in which the Quran and its verses wererevealed is free from linguistic or semantic errors. It is rather an epitome of a language that has reached excellence and highest level of fluency, eloquence and semantics. It has attained a seamlesslevel of precision thatitchoses its words painstakingly to convey particular meanings and connotations. In addition, this research aims to provide a response against the detractors of Islam, those who ridicule the Quran and claim that it contains linguistic and grammatical errors. The response to this claim is scholarly and backed up with the views of scholars in tafsÊr(i.e. Islamic exegesis), linguistics and rhetoric. This research uses descriptive, deductive and analytical approach. The research has concluded that the linguistic and grammatical errors that the detractors of Islam claim to have found in the Quran is anindication to their lack of basic knowledge about the nature of Arabic, itsrules and laws, which also shows they are unaware of they way the Arabs speak.They should have learnt from scholars in this field in order to be informed of what they ignore and understand what is apparently ambiguous and problematic. They should have learnt that Arabic is laconic and easy. It has also concluded that there are other reasons that led the detractors of Islam to claim that there are errors in the Quran. One of these problems or misconceptionsis that there are supplementary words or letters whose wisdom is difficult to grasp. Some misconceptions come as a result of omission of words in the Quran; and some misconceptions result from semantic interchangeability, al-TaÌmÊnor al-TawasuÑ. Some others result from contexts or linguistic indices particularly when there is no confusion. Some problems result from the objectives of syntax such as al-TakhfÊf. Some others result from al-’IÑrÉbor specification or even from semantics. God is the only one who guides to the right path