Browsing by Author "Maekong, Maplee"

The present study is themed around the image of reward and punishment verses in the Noble Qur’an and the aesthetic Qur’anic discourse, depicting the scenes and stands evoking reward and punishment. The research aims to investigate the theory of artistic image and its semantics, in addition to exposing the aesthetic aspect in the verses of reward and punishment, as depicted by the Qur'anic discourse, which renders these verses vivid settings with animation, sound and light. Another objective is indicating the magnificence of the Qur’anic discourse in utilizing variety of image elements to achieve an artistic as well as a religious purpose. To achieve this purpose, the researcher adopted the inductive, analytical approach by collecting the verses of the Qur’an which comprise artistic images, and then discuss and analyze them from an aesthetic and semantic perspective. On this basis the research discussed the term “image” from an aesthetic and semantic perspective; its origins in ancient critique and its functions. The researcher then discussed the verses that entail reward and punishment, initiated by an analysis of the components of the Qur’anic chapters [suras] dealing with reward and punishment. Then a scrutiny of the styles of artistic imagery was carried out. Later, a presentation and analysis of the verses related to each component and style was performed. As a final stage the study investigated the single and combined images of reward and punishment. The most important findings of the study concluded that the root term “ image” [sha wa ra] was mentioned in the Qur’an seventeen times in various forms; as a verb three times in the past and one time in the present tense; as an imperative and as a participle once each, and eleven times it took the form of a singular noun and one time that of an irregular plural. Second, the images of worldly reward totalled 12 locations in the Noble Qur’an and 90 in the afterlife. Whereas the images of punishment in this world reached 69 locations, and 136 in the afterlife. Third, the aggregate of verses picturing punishment artistically is 364 times, mentioned in 61 chapters [suras]; whereby 252 verses were Meccan, amounting to 98% and six Medinan verses. This proves that the artistic image of the verses of punishment was meant to address matters of doctrine in the true religion, denied by the polytheists.