The connotations of the plural of paucity in the Holy Quran – Surah An-Naba’ as a model

Abstract

Abstract: This thesis, entitled "The Semantic Implications of the Sound Plural of Paucal in the Holy Qur’an – A Case Study of Sūrat al-Naba’", is a descriptive and analytical study that primarily addresses the issue of clarifying the specific semantic dimensions of the paucal plural in the Qur’an, with a particular focus on Sūrat al-Naba’. The study reveals that variations in morphological structures or the use of certain plural forms—especially those that deviate from standard grammatical norms—are not arbitrary; rather, they serve precise rhetorical and semantic purposes, reflecting a dimension of the Qur’an’s linguistic inimitability. The researcher seeks to uncover the meanings conveyed by these forms based on Qur’anic context and classical exegesis. To achieve these objectives, the study identifies and categorizes occurrences of the paucal plural in Juzʾ ʿAmma, analyzes their meanings with reference to the interpretations of exegetes, highlights their potential metaphorical uses, and examines key differences in exegetical opinions based on inferred semantic nuances. The research adopts both descriptive and analytical methodologies.

Keywords: plural – forms – meaning – paucal – interpretation – Sūrat al-Naba’