Poetic Images of Meaning by Abdul Qaher al-JurjaniIn (The Secrets of Rhetoric)

Abstract

This research focuses on the figurative language of Imam Abdul Qahir al-Jurjani, tracing the rhetorical images of meaning in his book "Asrar al-Balagha" (Secrets of Rhetoric) with the aim of identifying the poetic aspects of his critical language, his depiction of meanings, and answering the question: To what extent has the poetic aspect been realized in these images? Has it reached the level of impact that influenced the reader as seen in the similes and metaphors of poets? This is done after examining the images of meanings, then resorting to the reasons for excellence and influence that he derived from Arabic poetry, making them the basis for the poetic nature of depiction and representation. The most important conclusion was that his critical language, which was the container for these images, was not isolated from the reasons for influence and excellence that he placed in the hands of researchers, and that the principles leading to influence in representation were his focus as he crafted his images. His depiction of meaning acquired the most important elements of poetic expression, indicating that the language of the connoisseur of rhetoric must inevitably be influenced by the language of the statement maker or be at its level, and that the connoisseur of rhetoric possesses a large share of its secrets. For he possessed a degree of mastery and accuracy of depiction that qualified him to express meanings in an endless number of images.