A Study of Geometric Repetition and Its Function in Surah al-Baqarah

Repetition is one of the important manifestations of the science of linguistics. It has invariably been noted by the literary people because repeating each word or phrase has a meaningful purpose and can influence the audience deeply. In the Holy Qur’an, repetition displays a step forward so that it depicts the miracle of the divine words. This is because the structure and arrangement of repetitive words besides adding to the beauty of the ayahs and surahs, contributes to the rhetoric of the speech and consequently enriches the semantic system and manifestation of important Qur’anic concepts. The present research is the result of studying geometric repetition in Surah al-Baqarah and because of the prominent role of this type of repetition in this surah, we intended to analyze its application and the degree of its effect in terms of signification using a descriptive-analytical method and based on measuring the frequency of types of geometric repetition. Findings show there are five types of geometric repetition in Surah al-Baqarah: introductory, concluding, pyramidal, circular, and cumulative. Pyramidal repetition aims to repeat and remind concepts, and is used for descriptions, articulation of the details of the blessings and degrees of damnation and salvation. Concluding repetition is a decisive commandment and a beautiful ending for the ayahs; therefore, some attributes of God, such as all-hearing, all-forgiving, all-knowing, and almighty, serve to give warnings and are frequently repeated following ayahs stating commands and laws. Finally, introductory repetition to express ethical dos and don’ts has the highest frequency.