Addition of Semantic Particles among Grammarians and Exegetes: A Comparative Study

Abstract

This study addresses the concept of addition of semantic particles (ḥurūf al-maʿānī) as discussed by grammarians and Qur’anic exegetes, within a comparative framework that highlights the differences between their approaches: grammarians focusing on syntactic precision, and exegetes leaning toward rhetorical interpretation. The study demonstrates that a so-called “extra” word is never without purpose, and that the term addition is merely a technical convention that is permissible to use, posing no harm to the Arabic language or the Holy Qur’an. The findings reveal that addition serves semantic and stylistic functions that go beyond the literal meaning, enriching Arabic structure and enhancing its expressive flexibility. Furthermore, the divergence between the two groups has contributed to the development of both linguistic and exegetical studies confirming the versatility of particles in fulfilling multiple functions that extend beyond literal meanings to stylistic and rhetorical effects. The study adopts the descriptive method to trace the phenomenon in its original sources and the analytical inductive method to derive rules and principles, with supporting evidence drawn from Qur’anic texts and poetic citations.