GRAMMATICAL SEMANTICS IN THE EXEGESES OF SHEIKH AL-NASIRI

Abstract

The grammatical meaning constituted one of the fundamental pillars of Sheikh al-Nasiri’s exegetical methodology, as he devoted particular attention to it in elucidating the precise meanings of the Qur’anic text. This focus was manifested in his discussion of the semantic nature of speech and its division into declarative and performative statements. He noted that the declarative form may depart from its original denotation to convey additional meanings derived from the context, the most prominent of which include command, threat, reprimand, and supplication.

The Sheikh also examined certain grammatical constructions that occur within the declarative form and influence its meaning, most notably the use of emphasis and restriction (qasr), given their effect in specifying and reinforcing the intended sense. Regarding the performative form, he divided it into requestive and non-requestive types. His exegetical works abound with requestive performatives, which serve as tools for deriving the deeper meanings embedded in the Qur’anic discourse. Among these are commands, which themselves may carry additional senses such as supplication, permissibility, challenge, prohibition, and incapacity; likewise, vocatives, which can indicate warning, caution, wonder, and exaltation.

He further addressed non-requestive performatives, such as oaths, praise, and blame, clarifying their role in constructing meaning within the Qur’anic context. His interest extended to the semantic implications of inflexion (iʿrāb), in which he concurred with the majority of grammarians and modern scholars who affirm the role of case endings in generating meaning. He noted the possibility of multiple interpretations for a single expression depending on variations in inflexion.

In addition, the Sheikh examined a range of particles of meaning, analysing their precise connotations and aligning their interpretation with the contextual and semantic demands of the Qur’anic text.