The Rhetorical Purpose of the Qur’anic Discourse: The Oath as an Example

Abstract

The effect of the oath style in argumentative orientation lies in its role as an inferential driving force that shifts the discourse from mere information-sharing to the stage of persuasion and conviction. The oath functions as a mechanism to enhance acceptability for the recipient, especially in contexts of doubt or denial. In its essence, the oath represents an authoritative argument that summons the "object of the oath" as a witness to truth and a reinforcer of credibility, thereby constructing an ascending argumentative scale that places the conclusion—or the "subject of the oath"—at the highest level of certainty and affirmation.

The effectiveness of this style is manifested in its ability to mentally guide the recipient by linking metaphysical or abstract truths to tangible cosmic or existential realities, which narrows the scope for counter-interpretations and closes the avenues of objection. The oath does not merely emphasize the content of the sentence; rather, it charges it with a performative energy that imposes a form of cognitive and emotional commitment on the listener toward the issue at hand. Thus, the oath is transformed from a mere linguistic structure into an integrated discourse strategy aimed at modifying the interlocutor's beliefs and guiding their responsive behavior to align with the speaker's goals and argumentative intent.