The Alternation of Prepositions and Its Effect on Guiding Meaning in the Qur'anic Text

Abstract

This study examines the phenomenon of alternation among prepositions and its semantic impact on understanding the Qur’anic text. It analyzes selected Qur’anic verses, drawing on classical works of exegesis and linguistic scholarship. The study first addresses the concept of prepositional alternation and distinguishes it from the notion of verb implication (taḍmīn). It further demonstrates that such alternation is not arbitrary; rather, it stems from a precise understanding of the Arabic language and its subtleties. Each preposition is thus employed in its most appropriate syntactic and semantic position, ensuring that the intended meaning is effectively conveyed to the recipient.