The Illocutionary Force of the Prohibitive Act in the Story of Prophet Ṣāliḥ (Peace Be Upon Him) and Its Rhetorical Significance

Abstract

This research paper addresses a pragmatic and rhetorical topic entitled “The Illocutionary Force of the Prohibitive Act in the Story of Prophet Ṣāliḥ (Peace Be Upon Him) and Its Rhetorical Significance.” The research problem lies in the fact that the prohibitive form in the Holy Qur’an does not remain confined to direct legislative prohibition; rather, it extends beyond it to encompass various rhetorical and illocutionary purposes governed by the communicative situation and context.

The methodology adopted in this study is primarily pragmatic, particularly drawing on Speech Act Theory, intentionality, and perlocutionary effect. The study aims to uncover the pragmatic meanings to which the linguistic act of prohibition may give rise.

The study concludes that linguistic acts in the Qur’anic narrative vary and take on different forms according to the contexts in which they occur. They may depart from their original meanings and convey other implied meanings, such as intimidation, prohibition, warning and threat, advice and guidance, encouragement, and others. The study also demonstrates that the prohibitive linguistic act in the story of Prophet Ṣāliḥ (Peace Be Upon Him) was not merely a linguistic form; rather, it constituted a communicative and illocutionary tool encompassing multiple meanings.