The Application of Discourse Analysis in Explaining the Coherence of Surah al-Ahzab (With a Focus on al-Mizan and fi-Zalal al-Quran Commentaries)

One of the functions of the surah cohesion theory is to respond to the doubts related to disparity and discoherence of the Quranic verses. Since some doubts have been raised about lack of coherence and cohesion in some parts of Surah al-Ahzab due to theological arguments and its inclusion of numerous topics, the use of linguistic studies in the field of discourse analysis and its application in proving the coherence of this surah and eradication of doubts about its lack of coherence are very instrumental. Since Allameh Tabatabaei and Sayyid  Qotb are among those who believe in the semantic coherence and cohesion of the verses of the Quranic surahs, this study was conducted to examine Surah al-Ahzab using the analytical method and discourse analysis and relying on the interpretational opinions of Sayyid  Qotb and Allameh Tabatabaei, and it was concluded that Sayyid  Qotb seeks to relate the various verses and parts of the surah to its central discourse more than Allameh although Allameh is more accurate in the analysis of micro-discourses. The manner in which the verses are processed and read by Sayyid  Qotb and Allameh corresponds to the inductive type of intelligent discourse while Allameh’s opinions correspond to the programmatic intelligence discourse system as well as the accidental discourse system of the divine will, and in the opinions of Sayyid  Qotb, in addition to these systems, the belief-oriented intelligent discourse system is seen. He attempts to maintain a discourse based on divine will as a key axis, and due to his artistic experience in illustrating the Quran, he maintains this view in Surah al-Ahzab, and hence, in some cases, demonstrates an sentimental discourse of a tense-emotional type.