The effect of semantic contrast on text interpretation in the exegesis of al-Zamakhshari

This study was conducted to determine the use of semantic relationship in disambiguating word senses of Qur’ānic texts in the tafsīr (exegesis) of al-Kashshāf ‘an haqā’iq al-tanzīl wa ‘Uyūn al-Aqāwīl fī Wujūh al-Ta’wīl by Mahmūd b. ‘Umar al-Zamakhsharī (d. 538 H. /1144 C.E.) It aimed to investigate the use of polysemous relationship by al-Zamakhsharī in his al-Kashshāf and to bring forth his insights into the understanding of Qur’ānic texts and discourses. The study highlight the significant contributions he has made in expanding the frontiers of semantic studies within the Arabic linguistic tradition. The historical and descriptive research methods were employed in this study. Representative samples were selected from the tafsīr and were analysed using classical Arabic lexica and Qur’ānic glossary, such as al-Mufradāt fī Gharīb Al-Qur’ān by al-Asfahānī as reference guides, as well as comparing and contrasting the lexis under study from a number of classical tafsīr texts. The findings of the study were that first, Al-Zamakhsharī employed polysemy to extrapolate meanings of Qur’ānic texts, especially where there appears to be an associated lexical ambiguity. However, he does not accept the use of multiple senses simultaneously. Second, both linguistic and non-linguistic context featured prominently in his explanation of meanings. Third, there are some similarities between al-Zamakhsharī and modern semantic studies in terms of their view of semantic concepts, such as semantic change and semantic relationships. The study concluded that al-Zamakhsharī made significant contributions in the field of Arabic linguistics through adequate employment of lexical semantic relations in the explanation of Qur’anic texts.