Oaths in the Qur’an

Bint al-Shati’s Literary Contribution

Abstract

Oaths (aqsam, sing. qasam) are one of the most widespread and effective ways of drawing attention or eliciting trust in interpersonal and intercultural communications. As a theological and literary device, the Qur’an has used oaths frequently with a view to appeal to its target audience. However, the most popular Muslim explanations for the Qur’an’s use of oaths, apparently, are theological, namely, that they either pointto the existence and majesty of the Creator (bari’/sani‘), the object’s utility and benefit (manfa‘ah), or its virtue and glorification (fadilah/ta'zim). Although Muslims have treated the literary aspects of the Qur’an exhaustively, the literary implications of oaths seem not to have been explored rigorously.

Not a comparative study, this essay will explore the “other” least known theories and explanations of Bint al-Shati’ (d. 1420/1999) on oaths, while also pointing out the Qur’an’s effective use of such oaths. Unlike most Muslim scholars, Bint al-Shati’ believes that most of the Qur’an’s oaths are meant for “artistic illustration” (al-bayan al-fanni). She devotes many pages to elaborating upon this in her al-Tafsir al-Bayani as well as in her al-I‘jaz al-Bayani. Using Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti (d. 911/1505) to epitomize the traditional approach, I hope to provide explanation to a part of what appears in his al-Itqan. As fascinating literary explanations, this study will elaborate them and highlight their communicative significance.