The Analysis of the Structure and Style of Qur’anic Stories according to Shi’ite Interpretations

In the Holy Quran, numerous valuable and instructive concepts are presented as stories by God Almighty. As goals and works refer to a single truth, it should be pointed that the stories of the Holy Quran are a selective narration of previous nations with specific purposes. Accordingly, this article tries to open a new window onto the structure and method of Qur'anic stories based on an approach grounded in Shiite interpretations. The paper sets out to examine various dimensions of Qur'anic stories, exploring their aims, structure, and methods of processing. Hence, the elements of Quranic stories are examined base on a descriptive and analytical methodology.   It is suggted that the act of narration in Quranic stories can be divided into past, present and future according to the time of events. Some Qur'anic stories narrate the stories of previous prophets and tribes to reduce the suffering of the Prophet and guide the true believers; some other stories chronicle the events of the present or future of the Prophet's era, describing the stories and events of the Prophet's life with his fellowmen; others foretell maily horrific future events that will occur sooner or later. The structure of Quranic stories, regardless of its fundamental and thematic differences with non-Quranic stories, i.e. the superiority of instructive dimensions in adhering to the elements of storytelling including characterization and element of time/place, enjoys an appealing and special form as it takes advantage of artistic textual elements.