قرآنِ مجید میں اقسامِ الٰہی: ایک تعارفی و تجزیاتی مطالعہ

Divine Oaths in the Qur’an (Aqsām al-Qurʾān): An Introductory and Analytical Study

Abstract

Divine oaths (Aqsām al-Qurʾān) constitute one of the most profound rhetorical and theological features of the Qur’an. This study presents an introductory and analytical examination of the concept of divine oaths, focusing on their definition, categories, purposes, and interpretive significance within classical Qur’anic exegesis. Drawing upon the works of leading exegetes such as al-Ṭabarī, al-Qurṭubī, Ibn Kathīr, and Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī, the paper demonstrates that divine oaths are not merely stylistic devices but deliberate pedagogical tools aimed at awakening human consciousness, reinforcing moral accountability, and directing attention toward divine signs embedded in the cosmos, time, revelation, and the human self.

The study further clarifies the essential distinction between divine oaths and human oaths in Islamic theology, emphasizing that while humans are restricted to swearing by God alone, God employs oaths by elements of creation as evidentiary signs (āyāt) to establish truth and certainty. Through selected Qur’anic examples, the paper argues that Aqsām al-Qurʾān form an integrated system of guidance that combines rhetorical beauty, intellectual persuasion, and ethical instruction. Ultimately, the research highlights the enduring relevance of divine oaths in understanding Qur’anic discourse and its transformative impact on belief, reflection, and conduct.