Re-analyzing the Structure of Surah al-‘Alaq Using Semitic Rhetorical Analysis (SRA): A Critical Study on Cuypers’ Methodology of Analyzing Qur’anic Structure
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Abstract
Michel Cuypers proposed a new method for analyzing Quranic structure, commonly known as Semitic Rhetorical Analysis (SRA). This method has been applied to a number of the Qur’anic surahs, including Surah Al-‘Alaq, but a new interpretation of some verses based on that method contradicts known interpretations among Muslim scholars. This paper, then, attempts to explain that method and discuss its application to Surah Al-‘Alaq, then tried to re-analyze the structure of this Surah with the same method. This study aims to clarify the pros and cons of this approach, especially concerning the interpretation that results from it, and how it can be used for re-analyzing Quranic structure and provide a new interpretation. This study uses the analytical method to demonstrate Cuypers’ approach in analyzing the Quranic structure and the SRA method for re-analyzing Surah Al-Alaq, then the comparative method to find out the difference between Cuypers analysis and the new analysis and the implications of them. The study concluded that Cuypers’ method could prove the coherence and consistency of Qur’anic structure, but results in an interpretation that is tainted by scientific problems. However, these problems can be solved by re-analysis with the same method.
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