Verses of Regret in the Holy Quran; A Grammatical and Semantic Study

Abstract

This study: “Verses of Regret in the Holy Qur’an: A Grammatical and Semantic Study” investigates the structures, vocabulary, and stylistic devices associated with regret in the Qur’an through a descriptive-analytical and inductive approach. It analyzes the grammatical constructions and semantic implications of regret, focusing particularly on eschatological scenes depicting the terrors of the Day of Judgment and the futility of late remorse. The findings indicate that regret extends beyond explicit lexical items, manifesting through diverse structures that derive significance from Qur’anic context and grammatical synergy. Notably, the negated present-tense verb la yanfa‘u (does not avail) underscores the impossibility of undoing past actions within scenes of divine reckoning. Regret frequently collocates with stylistic modes such as wishing, direct speech, and rhetorical questioning, vividly capturing psychological distress through imagery like the biting of hands. Furthermore, the analysis reveals an interplay between syntax and rhetoric; grammatical shift (iltifāt), syntactic displacement, passive voice, and variations in indefiniteness—ranging from magnification to minimization—synergize with semantics to emphasize the profound nuances of Qur’anic regret.