A Pragmatic Analysis of Some Qur'anic Verses: A Gricean Approach

Abstract

The study highlights the implicature in the Holy Qur'an that mainly leads to misconception. To achieve the purpose of this study, seven Qur'anic verses are analyzed adopting Grice's theory of implicature. Undoubtedly, using metaphorical language has been difficult to be understood, as what it is metaphorically said is different from what it is intentionally meant. Consequently, the study tries to shed light on the importance of the Qur'anic rhetorical style when addressing people. The study has shown that floating one or more of Grice's maxims does mean that these verses are misunderstandable; however, it reflects the highly elevated style of the Holy Qur'an’s eloquence. The study has also found that floating more than one maxim enriches the Qur'anic verse and enables the reader figures out the implied meaning.