Analyzing the magic of proximity in the creation of music and meaning in the epic "Majd al-Islam" by Ahmed Muharram based on Shafi’i Kadkani’s theory

Document Type : research article

Authors

• Ramazan Rezaei ¹
• Zahra Nasri ²
• Mohamad reza Eslami ³

¹ Associate Professor, Institute of Humanities and Cultural Studies, Tehran, Iran

² PhD in Arabic Language and Literature, Arak University, Arak, Iran

³ Assistant Professor, Department of Arabic Language and Literature, Shahid Madani University of Azerbaijan, Tabriz, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22067/jallv16.i2.2412-1489

Abstract

The magic of proximity stands as one of the most significant elements in analyzing the musical structure of poetry, attracting considerable scholarly attention through its paradigmatic and syntagmatic dimensions. This phenomenon refers to the presence of specific phonetic and rhythmic balances within a poetic text. Both paradigmatic and syntagmatic relations represent crucial analytical tools in formalist criticism and semantic studies.A paradigmatic relationship denotes the connection between interchangeable linguistic units at the same structural level, while syntagmatic relations examine how words interact sequentially with their immediate context. The musical harmony between words, independent of their semantic value, often determines their proximate placement. These two axes serve as fundamental methods for identifying characteristics of artistic style in literary works.This research employs a descriptive-analytical approach to examine how the magic of proximity contributes to meaning creation and musicality in Ahmad Muharram's epic *Majd al-Islam*. The study's significance lies in elucidating the techniques that generate meaning, harmony, and musicality in Muharram's poetry, while revealing the stylistic and aesthetic qualities of this Islamic epic.The findings demonstrate that paradigmatic and syntagmatic relationships foster narrative coherence and semantic unity throughout *Majd al-Islam*. Muharram's strategic lexical combinations establish the work's distinctive stylistic framework. The skillful deployment of literary devices alongside phonetic features creates remarkable harmony and produces a unique musical quality that amplifies the text's conceptual emphasis.The epic's meticulous word selection particularly engages readers with Muharram's verse. When vocabulary is employed with precise intentionality, it generates both intellectual appeal and aesthetic pleasure. The resulting musicality elevates the discourse, transforming speech into an art form of noble expression. This linguistic craftsmanship explains the enduring appeal of *Majd al-Islam* among its audience.

Keywords

• Proximity magic
• Paradigmatic and Syntagmatic relationships
• Inner music
• Ahmed Muharram
• Epic Majd al-Islam

Main Subjects

• Semantics

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