Analyzing the Structural Connectivity in a Qur’ānic Chapter Using Fractal Schema (The Case Study of the Spider Chapter)

Document Type : Scholary

Authors

1 PhD Student of Qur’ān and Ḥadīth Sciences, Faculty of Theology, Meybod University, Meybod, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Department of Qur’ān and Ḥadīth Sciences, Faculty of Theology, Meybod University, Meybod, Iran

3 Associate Professor, Department of Qur’ān and Ḥadīth Sciences, Faculty of Theology and Ahl-al-Bayt Studies, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

4 Assistant Professor, English Language and Literature, Faculty of Literature & Foreign Languages, Arak University, Arak, Iran

Abstract

One of the most important components of coherent understanding of the Qur’ānic semantic system is correct knowledge of a chapter as the main component of this systematic structure. The complex connecting network of the beginning, body, and ending of a text indicates its hidden semantic layers. In particular, the conceptual chain of the beginning and ending plays an important role in providing a summary of the meanings to audience. In this regard, this article seeks to answer how it is possible to understand the harmony and systematics governing structure of a chapter by examining the elements of the beginning and the ending. It is inspired by the fractal schema which highlights the role of meaningful repetition of self-similar components in creating the main structure of a coordinated design. Indeed, the analysis of intra-sectoral verbal-semantic evidences leads to a coherent reading of the concepts of a chapter. As a case-study, the interconnected structure governing the components of the beginning and the ending of the Spider chapter, through the conceptual chain of jihād, can be received in two levels of jihād for truth and jihād for oneself. In addition, mentioning the effects of choosing faith and guidance or not choosing them, which leads to the formation of believer and infidel groups, and the destiny of each of these two groups of the people related to the divine messengers are considered the interconnected space of the Spider chapter.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

The noble Qur’ān
‘Abd al-Ra’ūf, H. (2003), “Conceptual and textual chaining in qur’ānic discourse.” Journal of Qur’ānic Studies, vol. 5, no. 2, 71-94.
Allouche, J-P., & J. Shallit (2003), Automatic sequences: Theory, applications, generalizations. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.
Balata, I. (2013), Literary structures of the Qur'an, Translated by M. Abbasi. In The Encyclopedia of the Qur'an, Tehran, Hekmat.
Bovill, C. (1996), Fractal geometry in architecture and design. Boston, Birkhauser.
Briggs, J. (1992), Fractals: The patterns of chaos. London, Thames and Hudson.
Brunori, P., P., Magrone, & L. T., Lalli (2018), “Imperial porphiry and golden leaf: Sierpinski triangle in a medieval roman cloister,” Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, 595-609.
Buqā’ī, I. (2006), Nazm al-durar fī tanāsub al-āyāt wal-suwar (3rd ed.), Beirut, Dar Al-Kutub Al-‘Ilmīyya.
Feder, J. (2013), Fractals. Springer Science & Business Media.
Halliday, M. A. K., & R., Hasan (1976), Cohesion in English, London-New York.
Ḥujjatī, M. B. (1993), Research in the history of the Holy Qur’an (6th ed.), Tehran.
Mandelbrot, B. B. (1982), The fractal geometry of nature. New York, W. H. Freeman and Company.
Ma‘rifat, M. H. (2009), Al-Tamhīd fī ‘ulūm Al-Qu’ran, Qom, Al-Tamhīd Publications Cultural Institute.
Mir, M. (1993), “The chapter as a unity: A twentieth century development in Qur’an exegesis.” In G. R. Hawting & A-K. A. Shareef (Eds.) Approaches to the Qur’an. London, Routledge.
Mīrkatūlī, J., R. Bārgāhī, & S. Z. ‘Aghīlī (2014), “Explaining the dimensions of using fractal geometry in geography analysis and urban planning,” Journal of Spatial Planning, no. 14, 55-82.
Mustaghnī, A., & M. ‘Alīmuḥammadī (2016), “Analysis of the application of geometry and fractal in parametric architecture by examining the internal array of the dome of Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque.” Journal of Architecture and Urban Planning, vol. 8, no. 16, 103-122.
Quṭb, S. (2004), Fī ẓilāl Al-Qur’an (35th ed.), Beirut-Lebanon, Dar Al-Shurūq.
Ramzy, N. S. (2015), The dual language of geometry in Gothic architecture: The symbolic message of Euclidean geometry versus the visual dialogue of fractal geometry. Egypt, Sinai University Press.
Ruskin, J. (1857), The elements of drawing. London, Spottiswoode & Co.
Suyūṭī, A. R. (2000), Al-Itqān fī ‘ulūm al-Qur’ān (2nd ed.). Edited by F. A. Zamralī. Beirut, Dār Al-Kitāb Al-‘Arabī.
Ṭabāṭabā’ī, M. Ḥ. (1970), Al-Mīzān fī tafsīr al-Qur’ān (2nd ed.). Beirut, Scientific Foundation for Publications.
Tukhmachiyān, A., M. Qarā biglū, & A. Nijād Ibrāhīm (2017), “The formation of space due to the conceptual connection between music-mathematics and architecture (case study: the JolovKhan and Asman-e Gonbad-Khaneh of Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque in Isfahan).” Quarterly Journal of Islamic Architecture Research, vol. 15, no. 5, 108-129.
Vicsek, T. (1992), Fractal growth phenomena. Singapore/New Jersey, World Scientific.
Zarkashī, M. (1990), Al-Burhān fī ‘ulūm Al-Qur’an. Edited by J. Ḥ. Dhahabī, I. A. Kurdī, & Y. A-R., Mar’ashlī, Beirut, Dār Al-Ma‘rifa.
Journal of Contemporary Islamic Studies
Volume 4, Issue 2
Summer & Autumn
July 2022
Pages 235-252

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics