A Semio-semantics of "Ezat and Zelat" in the Quranic Story of Joseph (A.S) Based on Greimas's Semiotic Square

Authors
A. abbasi 1
F. mirghafooriyan 2
1 Associate Professor, Department of Quranic Studies, University of Quran and Hadith
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Islamic Studies, Imam Sadiq University
10.48311/LRR.16.4.8
Abstract
Quranic stories, rich with signs and meanings, consistently offer a fertile ground for diverse methods and approaches in textual study and analysis. Such analysis helps unravel intertwined textual layers and clarify the process of meaning construction for readers. This paper employs the "semiotic square" model, a key analytical tool developed by A.J. Greimas, the founder of the Paris School of Semiotics, to analyze the mechanisms of meaning construction within text production. The semiotic square provides a methodical approach to textual analysis, elucidating how oppositional relations within a text are articulated.This study utilizes this model to analyze the textual structures of the dual concepts of 'ezat' (honor) and 'zelat' (humiliation) in the Quranic story of Joseph (A.S), and to explain their process of signification within this Quranic discourse. The research findings demonstrate that, through the application of the semiotic square, continuous shifts of poles and categories are possible within a text. Specifically, in the discourse process, while the 'ezat' and 'zelat' dichotomy manifests in eight forms at the content level, unlike typical cases where multiple individuals or entities might represent these forms at the expression level, in the story of Joseph (A.S), the corresponding expressive form refers solely to Prophet Joseph (A.S). Furthermore, the semiotic square reveals that Prophet Joseph’s entire life was marked by honor and greatness, challenging the common interpretation that portrays his life as a blend of 'ezat' and 'zelat'. In this context, the square of veridiction proves instrumental in discerning this underlying truth.



1. Introduction

Discourse, defined as "the use of language for communication," inherently establishes a bidirectional relationship between language and discourse. Linguistic pragmatics, a prominent approach in modern linguistics, examines how speech acts between speaker and audience fulfill specific communicative goals. The persuasive dimension of language is a foundational element of pragmatics. This study explores the techniques speakers employ to attract and persuade audiences, which is a key objective of both applied linguistics and this research.The Quranic story of Joseph (A.S), known as the "best of stories," has always been a focal point for Quranic scholars, explored from multiple perspectives. A prevalent interpretation of this narrative posits Joseph’s ascent from the depths of humiliation (zelat) to the heights of honor (ezat). This research delves into the dichotomy of 'ezat' and 'zelat' in Joseph's (A.S) story using the "semiotic square" approach. A close examination of these two terms reveals a dynamic interplay, where the apparent poles of honor and humiliation in this Surah are constantly shifting, and the points of tension and attraction between them are not fixed. Given the Quran's primary objective of conveying messages for human guidance, its narratives cannot be dismissed as serving merely aesthetic or artistic purposes. Consequently, the semiotic analysis of Quranic narratives and the process of meaning-making within discourse production become particularly significant (Fallah et al., 2020, p. 27).





Research Question

This research aims to introduce the semiotic square model and, by employing it, elucidate the discourse between these two key Quranic concepts. It also seeks to answer the question of how the dichotomous signification of 'ezat and zelat' is configured in Surah Yusuf based on the semiotic square, and how this dichotomy is textually realized within this narrative.

2. Literature review

Studies in "semiotics" are among the new disciplines in the contemporary world, which examine sign systems and can be considered one of the up-to-date sciences of our era. Today, the rapid progress of fields such as semiotics has introduced new possibilities and brought the study of religious language and texts into a new phase. These new tools and modern sciences offer researchers a novel spectrum and new semantic horizons. Generally speaking, utilizing up-to-date sciences allows for the expansion of semiotics using the capacity of religious texts on one hand, and on the other, it opens new avenues in the analysis of these texts and helps uncover and identify the prevailing discourse in the Holy Qur'an. Among these, the present study relies on the semiotic square model as pursued in the Paris School of Semiotics. This model, first introduced by Algirdas Julien Greimas, is selected because it provides a representation of the deep semantic structure of the text based on dynamic oppositional relations. Analyses based on this square can be effective in achieving a precise understanding of these texts.

Throughout history, Quranic scholars have employed various methods and models to understand the concepts of Quranic stories. Sometimes, they have relied on the Quranic verses themselves to grasp the essence of these stories, while at other times, they have applied different narratology frameworks. The Quranic story of Joseph (A.S), known as the "best of stories," has always been a focal point for Quranic scholars, explored from multiple perspectives. But what is repeatedly told about this story is that Joseph ascended from the depths of humiliation (zelat) to the heights of honor (ezat). This research delves into the dichotomy of honor and humiliation in Joseph's (A.S) story using the "semiotic square" approach. A Close examination of these two terms reveals that the poles of honor in this surah are constantly switching, and the points of tension and attraction between these poles are not fixed. Moreover, different content forms can manifest as a single expressive form within a text. Given that the primary objective of the Quran is to convey messages for the guidance of humanity, it cannot be claimed that narratives in the Quran serve merely aesthetic and artistic purposes. Consequently, the necessity of semiotic analysis of Quranic narratives and the method of meaning-making in the context of discourse production becomes particularly significant (Fallah et al., 2020, p. 27).

This research is of high significance as it attempts to use a model of semiotics in the field of Quranic studies. In addition, the findings of this research will be influential in explaining the dichotomy of ezat and zelat in the Holy Quran, centering "keramat" (dignity).



3. Results

The story of Joseph (A.S) known as the "best of stories" can be examined from various perspectives. A wide range of studies using various models have been conducted to reach a more accurate understanding of this story so far. Among these, the models of semiotics can be drawn upon for research into this story. Here this model analyzes the textual structures of the dichotomy of "ezat and zelat" in the Quranic story of Joseph (A.S) and elucidates the process of their signification in the Quranic discourse of this narrative, addressing whether Joseph the Prophet indeed experienced a period of earthly humiliation. Analyzing the dichotomy of honor and disgrace in the story of Joseph (A.S) using the "semiotic square" reveals that the poles of apparent honor and disgrace in this surah are constantly switching, and the positions of attraction and tension between these poles are not fixed. Additionally, different content forms can manifest as a single expressive form in a text. Another finding of this research is that, contrary to what many interpreters and Quranic scholars believe—that Joseph's life was a mix of honor and disgrace—his life is entirely filled with both earthly and heavenly honor. In this context, the square of veridiction, derived from the Greimas square, aids the reader in

Keywords

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Language Related Research
Volume 16, Issue 4 - Serial Number 88
September and October 2025
Pages 305-338