Exaggeration in the Holy Quran: a Rhetorical Analysis

Due to discourse (Kalam) -originated discussion of rhetorical miracle of the Qur''an، a great deal of attention has been paid to discoursal aspects of the Qur''an; and this being said، few studies have focused on the “rhetorical” aspect of it from a literary and rhetorical perspective per se. Nevertheless، many attempts have been made to throw light on the rhetoric of the Qur''an. Regarding the rhetoric of the Qur''an، the main question is would accepting the figurative and metaphoric language of the Qur''an damage the divinity of this Scripture? And if we accept the figurative and metaphoric language of the Qur''an، without mingling the sacredness of the word of God with untruth، is it proper to search for any literary device in the Qur''anic verses? From among the different topics discussed in meanings (Ilm ul-ma''ani)، expression (Ilm al-bayan) and innovation (Ilm al-badi'')، exaggeration and hyperbole have been some of the most controversial ones. As few scholars have attempted studies in this area، the present study، after a discussion of the related literature، tries to analyze exaggeration and hyperbole in some randomly selected verses of the Qur''an to find answers to the questions raised above. The results indicate that the exaggeration present in the lexicon and images of the Qur''an، serve truthful propositions and adds to the literary and artistic weight of the discourse. This exaggeration can be found in forms like taqassi، consecutive adjectives، the use of Approaching and Beginning Verbs، letters/words indicative of simile and doubt، bringing possibility in the form of negative imperatives، deletion of subordinate clauses etc.