Rhetorical transformation in the Qur'an and pre-Islamic Poetry: A comparative analysis of space, animal, and natural figures

Abstract

This study examines how selected place names, animal figures, and natural elements are used rhetorically in the Qur'an and pre-Islamic Arabic poetry. It explores the rhetorical strategies associated with these elements, their frequency in pre-Islamic poetry, and their transformation within Qur'anic discourse. Particular attention is given to how the Qur'an reinterprets such figures, whether it assigns them new semantic layers, and what depth of meaning these usages convey. The study focuses on the Qur'an and the Mu'allaqat-the most prominent collection of pre-Islamic odes-and identifies semantic differences rooted in rhetorical style between the two traditions. While the Qur'an employs a metaphor- and simile-rich narrative style, pre-Islamic poetry tends toward a direct, descriptive mode of expression. The symbolic function of landscape, animal, and cosmic imagery is analyzed in this context. Pre-Islamic poetry typically portrays the world as it is, often grounding meaning in the immediacy of the desert environment. In contrast, the Qur'an embeds similar elements within a broader metaphysical framework, imbuing them with theological significance. The central aim is to investigate how the Qur'an engages with and transforms the literary legacy of pre-Islamic poetry, and what rhetorical mechanisms it employs in this process. Thus, the study contributes to understanding the Qur'an's rhetorical structure and narrative method considering its linguistic and cultural context.