SYMBOLISM AND ITS ARTISTIC AND SEMANTIC DIMENSIONSIN THE NOBLE QURAN: A CASE STUDY OF STORY OF PROPHET YUSUF

Abstract

Among the literary devices that aid works of art to convey specific meanings and hook the attention of reader is symbolism. This is when a word or an image or character represents a complex idea, feeling and thought that is beyond the literal meaning; either in poetry, novel, story, picture and sculpture.  Al-Quran being masterpiece of Arabic language and literature, contains stories that are characterized of various techniques, including symbolism. It is, therefore, the interest of this paper to examine the use of this technique and its dimensional meaning in the story of Prophet Yusuf. The paper employs a qualitative research approach which is descriptive and interpretive to respond to the emerging questions such as; what is symbolism? What is the features and factors behind its usage? To what extent does the story of Yusuf contain symbolism and meanings. Findings reveal among other things, that featuring of symbolism in the story of the Prophet Yusuf would enable one to appreciate the unique literary form of the al-Qur’an. The paper concludes that knowledge of literary tools enhances deep understanding of the Quranic text that leads to the proper understand Islam.