New Book in Damascus Explores Secrets of Quranic Rhetoric
The cultural and academic community in Damascus has welcomed the latest work by researcher and academic Dr. Muhammad Mahmoud Kalo, titled “When the Quranic Letter Speaks.” Published by Dar Al-Majd for Printing, Publishing, and Distribution, the book offers an innovative, contemplative reading of various expressions in the Holy Quran. It aims to move beyond the literal meanings of words to explore the precise semantic differences embedded within the text.
Spanning 265 large-format pages, the book traces the secrets behind the choice of specific Quranic terminology. The author encourages readers to shift from a direct reception of the verses toward a deeper reflection on their linguistic and rhetorical structure. By utilizing tools from the sciences of interpretation, the principles of jurisprudence, and the rules of the Arabic language, Dr. Kalo highlights profound legislative, educational, and linguistic implications discovered through context.
In his analytical approach, the author examines practical examples of Quranic vocabulary that may appear similar on the surface. For instance, he explores the distinction between “light” (noor) and “radiance” (daw’) in the verse, “Allah took away their light.” He also differentiates between the terms “completed” (akmaltu) and “perfected” (atmamtu) in the context of the verse regarding the completion of religion.
Furthermore, the book covers the significance of word choices in verses related to inheritance laws, the story of Adam (peace be upon him), and verses concerning the change of the Qibla. It also clarifies semantic differences between various Quranic terms, such as “share” (naseeb) and “portion” (kifl), as well as “creation” (khalq) and “action” (fi’l).
Dr. Muhammad Mahmoud Kalo noted that this work is the result of extensive reflection on the garden of Quranic rhetoric. He aims to guide the reader from the “negligence of the familiar” toward the “wonder of meaning” by contemplating the precision of divine discourse. The author emphasized that the book does not merely analyze words in isolation; rather, it connects them to their full context and surrounding semantic conditions, opening broad horizons for research and meditation.
Dr. Kalo has authored numerous academic books and research papers specializing in interpretation and Quranic sciences. His previous works include “Sailing into the Secrets of Surah Al-Qadr,” “The Five Senses in Light of the Holy Quran,” and “Indications of Colors in Quranic Verses.” These publications reflect his ongoing efforts to study the Quranic text from various linguistic and rhetorical perspectives.
Source: Syria Focus Arabic
