Document Type : Original Article
Author
Faculty member and Assistant Professor in the Quranic Sciences department, university of Quran and Hadith
Abstract
The Holy Quran describes different discourse techniques and introduces 3 techniques namely wise reasoning, good preaching and the best contention as the Prophet’s (PBUH) techniques for invitation to Islam. Meanwhile, in logics, five reasoning or discourse techniques have been proposed in accordance with the purposes of discussions, the techniques include contention, demonstration, rhetoric, fallacy and poem.
The Qur’anic discourse techniques are different from the logical discourse techniques and the five techniques of reasoning in terms of principles and ends. In the present article, attempts are made to investigate these differences and to answer this fundamental question: Is it possible to consider the Qur’anic discourse techniques consistent with the techniques of logical reasoning?
With careful consideration of the two techniques’ characteristics and the close investigation of the Imams (AS) debates including the debates of Imam Reza (AS) which are based on the Qur’anic discourse techniques, it becomes clear that the most important difference between the two techniques is associated with their goals, in other words, The Qur’anic discourse techniques aim to guiding the audience, on the contrary, the Five Techniques of reasoning aim to pacify the audience.
Careful study of the Imam Reza (AS) debates, and their reliance on solid and logical foundations as well as Qur’anic discourse techniques suggest that the statements of Imam Reza (AS) just like the statements of his fathers, can be used, in terms of method and content, to answer the corresponding questions and doubts not only in that historical period, but at all times.
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