Document Type : Research Article

Authors

• Marzieh Raisi
• abdolhadi feghhizade

Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, University of Tehran, Motahari St., next to Muftah Metro

Abstract

Structural interpretation is an emerging approach in Qur'anic studies that views each surah as an interconnected network, rather than a mere sequence of disjointed verses. However, the proliferation of diverse interpretations and the absence of a systematic methodology have led to subjective understandings of its structure. This study aims to design a methodical framework for discovering the structure of Qur'anic surahs through thematic analysis of structural exegeses. It introduces four key methods: 1) holistic study based on systems thinking and the assumption of the surah’s networked unity, 2) context delineation relying on linguistic-semantic evidence, 3) discovery of conceptual networks and themes, and 4) application of textual markers (key words/verses, repetitions, rhetorical devices, and surah-specific rhythmic patterns).

Findings indicate that the sequence of applying these methods is flexible, allowing for a choice between two overarching approaches: "whole-to-part" or "part-to-whole." In the part-to-whole approach, structural discovery begins with micro-textual markers (such as key verses or words) and gradually leads to a holistic map of the surah. In contrast, the whole-to-part approach—which is the focus of this study—prioritizes understanding the overarching structure, with details interpreted within this broader framework. The preference for either approach depends on two factors: the interpreter’s cognitive framework (knowledge level, problem-orientedness) and the features of the surah (length, conceptual arrangement). In longer surahs (al-ṭuwāl), the holistic method reduces analytical dispersion, while in shorter, detailed surahs (al-mufaṣṣal), a detailed-oriented approach proves more effective. By systematizing the process of structural discovery, this research constitutes a step toward the scientific methodological development of structural Qur'anic understanding.

Keywords

• Structural Exegesis
• Quranic Surah Structure
• Holistic Methodology
• Contextual Segmentation
• Conceptual Network
• Quranic Semiotics

Main Subjects

• Interpretation of Quran