Tautological Expressions and the Affirmation of God’s Oneness in the Qur’an: A Stylistic and Theological Analysis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69552/mumtaz.v5i2.3575Keywords:
Tautological language, Divine Existence, Qur’anic stylistics, Monotheism, Rhetorical AnalysisAbstract
This study investigates how the Qur’an employs tautological language to articulate and affirm the existence of God. The research aims to identify the structural patterns of tautology used in Qur’anic expressions about the divine and to reveal the theological meanings embedded within these stylistic choices. It addresses how repetition, synonymous diction, and emphatic linguistic forms contribute to constructing a coherent and powerful discourse on God’s oneness and ultimate authority. Using a qualitative design, this research applies a stylistic approach supported by library-based data collection. The primary data consist of Qur’anic verses related to God’s existence, examined through authoritative classical tafsir sources, including al-Kashshaf, Tafsir al-Tabari, and Tafsir al-Qurthubi. Analytical procedures cover diction analysis, sentence structure examination, and interpretive exploration of rhetorical meaning to uncover the semantic and stylistic functions of tautology in Qur’anic discourse. The findings reveal three dominant stylistic constructions: kalam khabar (informative statements), qashr (restrictive structures), and predicate–subject equivalence. These forms emphasize God’s absolute oneness, His all-encompassing power, and the certainty of the hereafter. Tautological structures serve as theological reinforcement, confronting pre-Islamic belief systems and affirming monotheism as the foundation of Islamic worldview.
References
Ahmad, H., & Ghafar, N. A. (2025). Stylistic Variation and Linguistic Strategies in Quranic Discourse: A Rhetorical, Phonetic, and Translational Analysis. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, IX(IV), 5957–5964. https://doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2025.90400426
Ahmad, M. (2020). Literary Miracle of The Quran. Ar-Raniry: International Journal of Islamic Studies, 3(1), 205–220. https://doi.org/10.22373/jar.v3i1.7490
Alatas, I. F. (2024). Voicing God’s presence: Qurʾānic recitation, Sufi ontologies, and the theatro-graphic experience. HAU: Journal of Ethnographic Theory, 14(1), 47–60. https://doi.org/10.1086/729499
Albayrak, I. (2022). Modernity, Its Impact on Muslim World and General Characteristics of 19–20th-Century Revivalist–Reformists’ Re-Reading of the Qur’an. Religions, 13(5), 424. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel13050424
Al-Khafaji, M. A. M. (1992). Al-Uslubiyah wa al-Bayan al-`Arabi (al-Uslubiyah wa al-Bayan al- `Arabi. Ad-Dar al-MIsriyyah al-Lubnaniyyah.
AlMaayah, M., Sawalha, M., & Abushariah, M. A. M. (2016). Towards an automatic extraction of synonyms for Quranic Arabic WordNet. International Journal of Speech Technology, 19(2), 177–189. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10772-015-9301-9
Arditya, P., & Riki, N. (2024). Authenticity of the God Concept in Islam. Cendekiawan: Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Studi Keislaman, 3(1), 347–353.
Arthos, J. (2021). The paradigmatic interpenetration of hermeneutics and rhetoric. In The Gadamerian Mind. Routledge.
Bazen, A., Barg, F. K., & Takeshita, J. (2021). Research Techniques Made Simple: An Introduction to Qualitative Research. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 141(2), 241-247.e1. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jid.2020.11.029
Elaskary, M., & Yun, E. K. (2017). Death, Resurrection, and Shrine Visitations: An Islamic Perspective. Religions, 8(3), 34. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel8030034
Erdy, M. (2025). The Origins, Theories, and Linguistic Development of the Qur’an. Jurnal Kajian Islam, 2(1), 13–22. https://doi.org/10.56566/jki.v2i1.300
Faris, S. (2023). Exploring The Divine Message: Quranic Studies in The Context of Islamic Scholarship. Dirasah International Journal of Islamic Studies, 1(2), 111–125. https://doi.org/10.59373/drs.v1i2.16
Fattah, A. (2019). Rethinking Jacques Derrida’s Deconstruction and its Relevance to the Study of Islam. Ulumuna, 23(1), 113–134. https://doi.org/10.20414/ujis.v23i1.349
Hameed, A. L. Y. S. (2025). Repetition as a Stylistic Phenomenon in English and Arabic: A Comparative Study. مجلة دجلة للعلوم الانسانية - P-ISSN: 3079-7853 E-ISSN: 3079-7861, 1(1). https://journal.duc.edu.iq/index.php/djhs/article/view/281
Hardiana, M. T. A. N. (2019). WACANA KEMATIAN DALAM PUISI ”JIKA PADA AKHIRNYA” KARYA HUSNI DJAMALUDDIN: KAJIAN STILISTIKA DAN FORMALISME. Karangan: Jurnal Bidang Kependidikan, Pembelajaran, Dan Pengembangan, 1(02), 151–162. https://doi.org/10.55273/karangan.v1i02.19
Harrison, V. S. (2010). Hermeneutics, religious language and the Qur’an. Islam and Christian–Muslim Relations, 21(3), 207–220. https://doi.org/10.1080/09596410.2010.487682
Jaafar, E. A., & Ganapathy, M. (2022). Investigating EFL Learners’ Ability to Analyse Poetic Language: A Pedagogical Corpus Stylistic Approach. Theory and Practice in Language Studies, 12(5), 866–875. https://doi.org/10.17507/tpls.1205.06
Jones, S. (2023). The value of knowing: Conscious and unconscious writing choices. Language and Education, 37(1), 71–87. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500782.2022.2109421
Kamorudeen, B. K. (2024). An Examination of The Linguistic and Literary Miracles of The Quran. Al-Aijaz Research Journal of Islamic Studies & Humanities, 8(3), 24–30.
Keane, W. (1997). Religious Language. Annual Review of Anthropology, 26(Volume 26, 1997), 47–71. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.anthro.26.1.47
Latif, M. A. N. A., & Ismail, Z. (2024). Delivering Method And Functioning Of Al-Khabar In Two-Way Arabic Dialogue: Case Study Verses Of Quran. Ijaz Arabi Journal of Arabic Learning, 7(2). https://doi.org/10.18860/ijazarabi.v7i2.23758
Lim, W. M. (2025). What Is Qualitative Research? An Overview and Guidelines. Australasian Marketing Journal, 33(2), 199–229. https://doi.org/10.1177/14413582241264619
Mutakabbir, G. M. G., Rinaldi, S., & Nunung, N. (2023). Analysis of the Translation of Arabic Texts in the Book of Science: Balaghah Tarjamah Jauhar Maknun by Imam Akhdlori: Analisis Penerjemahan Teks Berbahasa Arab dalam Buku Ilmu Balaghah Tarjamah Jauhar Maknun Karya Imam Akhdlori. Lisanudhad: Jurnal Bahasa, Pembelajaran, Dan Sastra Arab, 10(2), 140–160.
Pallathadka, H., Al-Hawary, S. I. S., Muda, I., Surahman, S. H., Al-Salami, A. A. A., & Nasimova, Z. (2023). The study of Islamic teachings in education: With an emphasis on behavioural gentleness. HTS Theological Studies, 79(1). https://www.ajol.info/index.php/hts/article/view/245716
Qurthubi, A. (1964). Tafsir al-Qurthubi. Dar al-Kutub al-Mishriyah.
Rahim, A. (2023). Dialogue Language Style of the Qur’an “A Stylistic Analysis of Dialogues on the Truth of the Qur’an.” Solo International Collaboration and Publication of Social Sciences and Humanities, 1(01), 35–46. https://doi.org/10.61455/sicopus.v1i01.29
Razzaq, N. (2023). Language and Religious Discourse: An Analysis of the Linguistic Features and Persuasive Strategies in Islamic Sermons. ĪQĀN, 5(02), 25–42. https://doi.org/10.36755/iqan.v5i02.427
Rosanti, A., Ahmad, N., & Suhartini, A. (2022). Konsep Pemeliharaan Alam dan Manusia Implikasinya terhadap Kemajuan Pendidikan Islam pada Jenjang Madrasah Ibtidaiyah. Jurnal Basicedu, 6(5), 8414–8422. https://doi.org/10.31004/basicedu.v6i5.3849
Salam, M. A., An, A. N., Rhain, A., Azizah, A., Dahliana, Y., & Nurrohim, A. (2024). Challenges of Da’wah Research: Understanding Da’wah Models in The Context of Qur’anic Guidance and Social Change. Al-Afkar, Journal For Islamic Studies, 7(3), 1120–1141. https://doi.org/10.31943/afkarjournal.v7i3.1604
Sam, M. (2017). The Religious Multicultural Value in the Religiosity Experiences Found in Husni Djamaluddin’s Poetries. Humaniora, 29(2), 168–178. https://doi.org/10.22146/jh.24145
Sarkar, S. P. R. (2011). Neo-Humanism: Principles and Cardinal Values, Sentimentality to Spirituality, Human Society. Lulu.com.
Shaukat, M. A. (2024). Being Muslim in a Morally Relative World. Lexington Books. https://doi.org/10.5771/9781666966275
SI1981. (2022). Tafsir Ath Thabari Jami’ Al Bayan Fi Ta’wil Al Qur’an Terjemah Bahasa Indonesia. http://archive.org/details/tafsir-1_202201
Simpson, P. (2025). Stylistics: A Resource Book for Students. Taylor & Francis.
Sinai, N. (2017). Qur’an: A Historical-Critical Introduction. Edinburgh University Press.
Spagnesi, L. (2022). The Idea of God and the Empirical Investigation of Nature in Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason. Kantian Review, 27(2), 279–297. https://doi.org/10.1017/S136941542100073X
Sutarja, Prayitno, H. J., Waston, Hidayat, S., Ali, M., & Sugiarto, F. (2024). Character Strengthening Model of Religious Moderation Praxis Method to Improve and Develop Student Morale. Revista de Gestão - RGSA, 18(2), e04871–e04871. https://doi.org/10.24857/rgsa.v18n2-076
Wen, J., & Lan, J. (2025). Critique and Transformation: On the Evolution of Kant’s Conception of God and Its Internal Roots. Religions, 16(10), 1258. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16101258
Zamakhshari, A. (1407). Al-Kashshaf `an Ḥaqa`iq al-Tanzil wa` Uyun al-Aqawil fi Wujuh al-Ta`wil. Dar al-Ma`arif.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Marzuqi Marzuqi, Akhmad Muzakki
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
