A Linguistic Study of Al-Zahraa’s Inheritance Speech

Abstract

The sermon of Fatima Al-Zahra on her confiscated inheritance is characterized by a highly elevated language. Moreover, it bears religious, political and moral implications. The choice of words and the way messages composed usually affect how they are conveyed and received. The more proper the words and structures are, the more effective the message is. However, it is not true that the sermon did not change anything after being delivered. The power of this sermon, nevertheless, is constantly everlasting for all people in all ages. Here lies the rationale behind scrutinizing it in terms of the linguistic perspectives.      Accordingly, this study sets for itself the task of answering the following question: What are the linguistic features that characterize this sermon of Al-Zahra (peace be upon her)? The aim is to identify the different linguistic levels of this piece of discourse in terms of semantics, pragmatics, stylistics and rhetorics. It is hypothesized that this sermon is coherent and eloquent due to the distinct linguistic tools employed by Al-Zahra (peace be upon her). This research paper hinges on the various levels of linguistic description utilizing some relevant linguistic theories. The findings of the analysis verify the set hypothesis. It is hoped that this study is valuable to those interested in pragmatics, stylistics, rhetorics and those concerned with oratory and religious studies.