Structural Coherence of the Qur’ān and its Implications for the Meaning of the Text

In the field of Qur’ānic textual studies, approaching the text within an atomistic framework is usually the norm. Acknowledging the need for a holistic approach, the present research attempts to shed light on the structural composition of the text. The thesis begins with a review of the definition of coherence and its Qur’ānic applications. It then traces the historical development of scholarly contributions pertinent to the area of structural coherence of the text. This research empirically examines one of the most structurally complex sūras of the text. It explores the way in which the composite of its text is orchestrated and the reasons for its perceived complexity and incoherence. Implementing a critical approach and a robust methodology, the study contends that there is more to the structure of the Qur’ān than previously attested. It also highlights the dynamic nature of the text’s structure, an approach which opposes the widely-held view of a rigid and monotonously repetitive text, which is often exacerbated by its atomistic translations. The study also uncovers significant structural functions for repetitions, which are often at the core of the perceived textual incoherence. For example, refrains were found to serve an important function in their capacity as structural ties that firmly bind the text together. New structural devices inherent within the Qur’ānic text have also been uncovered as a result of the adopted methodology. Viewing the text holistically also led to well-grounded results which strongly reflect the self-referential structural nature of the text.