"Phonetic diversity in Qur'anic readings and its impact on meaning A modern phonological study"

Abstract

This study examines phonetic variation in Qur’anic readings and its semantic impact from a modern phonological perspective. It is based on the premise that Qur’anic readings constitute an integrated phonetic system that reveals an important aspect of the Qur’an’s linguistic miracle. The research aims to clarify the relationship between phonetic phenomena in Qur’anic readings and the meanings they convey within the Qur’anic context, while benefiting from modern linguistic and phonological approaches in analyzing and interpreting these phenomena. The study discusses the concept of Qur’anic readings and their connection to phonetics, then addresses the concepts of the phoneme and allophone and their applications in the Qur’anic text, demonstrating that classical scholars of tajwīd anticipated modern phonological studies in recognizing context-based phonetic variations. The research also examines several phonetic phenomena, including assimilation, substitution, imālah, stress, intonation, and syllabic structure, highlighting their role in facilitating pronunciation, emphasizing meaning, and creating the distinctive rhythmic pattern of the Qur’an. The study concludes that phonetic variation in Qur’anic readings is not merely a difference in recitation, but rather a semantic and rhythmic diversity that enriches meaning and expands the expressive capacity of the Qur’anic text. It also confirms that Qur’anic readings represent a precise phonological system governed by coherent linguistic principles, reflecting the depth of the Arabic phonetic heritage and its relevance to modern linguistic studies.