Discursive Semiotics of "Zann" in the Holy Quran Based on the Square of Veridiction

The Holy Quran is a text replete with signs and an infinite resource of meanings, which always provides the ground for using a variety of methods and approaches of text study and analysis. Meanwhile, the current article depends upon "discursive semiotics" approach, as followed in the Paris School; an approach which analyzes the mechanism of meaning making in the process of text production. Analyzing the textual structures of zann (suspicion) in the Holy Quran and using the model of "semiotic square", more specifically inspired by the "square of veridiction", this study attempts to explain the formation process of zann signification in the Quranic discourse. Studying the four kinds of zaan shows that based on the square of verdiction with regard to zann and elm (knowledge) in the Holy Quran, one gets involved with the four states of illusion, truth, falsehood and secret when dealing with different issues. Meanwhile, the knower's belief in and their denial of immaterial things such as the prophecy of prophets, God and His attributes along with the resurrection play a key role in the mechanism of making a meaning for zann.