Practical Application of the Chapter Coupling Theory: Analysis of the Coupling Relationship Between Qur’ān ۵۵ and ۵۶ Based on the Interpretive Opinions of ‘Allāma Ṭabāṭabā’ī

The “coupling system of the qur’ānic chapters” theory is one of the new efforts in the qur’ānic sciences domain to prove the existence of order in the Qur’ān. In this theory, it is suggested that the examination of the Qur’ān’s order be moved up from verses to chapters; thus, an extensive and obligatory relationship between the two neighboring chapters has been taken into account. As a fundamental research project, this article this study adopts a descriptive-analytical method to introduce the coupling system of the qur’ānic chapters and prove the effectiveness of this theory in understanding the Qur’ān in the two chapters of the Qur’ān ۵۵ and ۵۶ through depiction of various content relations and different verbal and semantical relationships between these two coupled chapters. The promotion of the research on the order of the Qur’ān from verses and excerpts to chapters and discourse – via practical implementation – has greatly helped understanding the role of suchlike studies in better grasp of the two chapters. A case-by-case reflection in the intertextual relationships between the two coupled chapters (Qur’ān ۵۵ and ۵۶) based on the interpretive opinions of ‘Allāma Ṭabāṭabā’ī can be an appropriate way to respond the question “what reasonable evidences exist for the coupled system of chapters in the two intended chapters?” Investigations show that relations such as common beginning and ending of the two chapters, common or nearly common statements and themes, content relations, etc., enhance the hypothesis on the symmetrical structure of these two chapters. The majority of the connections of these two chapters are common issues that have been examined in each of these two chapters from different perspectives such that they complement each other.

Keywords:

Practical implementation , Qur’ān ۵۵ , Qur’ān ۵۶ , Sura studies , The coupling system of chapters