Salvation through Argumentation in Classical Literary Narratives

Abstract

The research aims to study narratives in ancient literature featuring the salvation of a character based on verbal argumentation. Additionally, it seeks to uncover the methods employed in these arguments. The assumption underlying the investigation is that these narratives are categorized within specific works, such as Al‑‘Afu wa al‑I‘tizar (Forgiveness and Apology) by al‑Raqqam al‑Basri (early 4th century AH), Al‑Faraj ba‘da al‑Shiddah (Relief after Hardship) by al‑Tanukhi (d. 384 AH), Lutf al‑Tadbir (The Subtlety of Management) by al‑Khatib al‑Iskafi (d. 421 AH), and Akhbar al‑Azkiya (Accounts of the Intelligent) by Ibn al‑Jawzi (d. 597 AH). It also considers chapters in works such as ‘Uyun al‑Akhbar (The Choice Narratives) by Ibn Qutaybah (d. 276 AH), Al‑‘Iqd al‑Farid (The Unique Necklace) by Ibn Abd Rabbih (d. 328 AH), and Nihayat al‑Arab fi Funun al‑Adab (The Ultimate Aim in the Arts of Literature) by al‑Nuwayri (d. 732 AH). The research posits that the arguments in these narratives follow the type of contemporaneous arguments found in logical, dialectical, and rhetorical compositions. Through a comprehensive examination of these sources, instances of dialectical objections, fallacious implications, persuasive discourses, and poetic imaginations were identified. The research observed that some arguments align with the techniques delineated by Chaïm Perelman in his work "The New Rhetoric: A Treatise on Argumentation," which revitalized rhetoric from its Aristotelian roots. Accordingly, the research adopted an argumentative approach grounded in rhetorical conceptualization derived from logic. The study categorizes the research into mental inclinations highlighted by Al-Farabi (d. 339 CE), encompassing dialectics, sophistic, rhetoric, and poetics. It then delves into branches referenced by intellectual and rhetorical sciences, diligently highlighting corresponding argumentative techniques in Perelman's theory. The findings indicate that narrative in Arabic literature is indeed an encyclopedic repository of knowledge and manners, with the arguments endorsed by the sciences of that era contributing to the discourse within these narratives. The research recommends focusing on the argumentative characteristics of literary genres and encouraging literary expressions to align with them. Also. it recommends to adopt an argumentative approach grounded in rhetorical conceptualization derived from logic.