Semantic Influence on Syntactic Analysis in the Qur’an: A Study of Contextual Overrides of Grammatical Norms

Classical Arabic grammar is grounded in foundational principles such as transmitted usage (samāʿ), analogy (qiyās), consensus (ijmāʿ), and presumption of continuity (istiṣḥāb al-ḥāl). Yet, Qur’anic usage frequently reveals semantic forces that challenge these grammatical norms, prompting syntactic interpretations that depart from traditional rules. This study employs a descriptive-analytical approach to examine how context and meaning shape grammatical analysis in select Qur’anic verses. It investigates three contested cases: the syntactic function of al-samāwāt in “khalaqa Allāhu al-samāwāt wa al-arḍ” (Q 29:44), debating whether it is a direct object or a cognate accusative; the role of mā in “lamā ātaytukum” (Q 3:81), considering whether it functions as an oath-introducing particle, a conditional, or a relative pronoun; and the referent of the pronoun in “fasawwāhunna sabʿa samāwāt” (Q 2:29), exploring whether it refers to a specific or indeterminate antecedent. The findings demonstrate that semantic and contextual considerations can override grammatical expectations, especially in texts of theological and rhetorical complexity. This calls for a reconsideration of traditional syntactic authority in light of meaning-driven analysis.