Intertextual and Conceptual Chaining in Punishment and Mercy Narratives: A Study of Surah al-Naml

This article examines the intertextual relations and conceptual chaining among punishment and merciful narratives in the four stories of Surah An-Naml. The is to identify and analyze the conceptual and semantic links between the stories in this chapter of the Quran. A qualitative method and thematic analysis of the narratives in terms of conceptual and textual chaining at both micro and macro levels are employed. The research data includes verses related to the four stories of Surah An-Naml, which are examined comparatively. In this study, key concepts such as intertextual relations and conceptual chaining are initially defined, and then the relevant theoretical background is presented. Comparative analysis of the narratives in this chapter reveals that these stories have strong intertextual links and multiple conceptual chaining that contribute to Surah's coherence and semantic order. The findings indicate that intertextual relations and conceptual chaining among the stories in this Surah not only aid in a better understanding of the concepts but also support a more precise and comprehensive interpretation of these narratives, aligning with the purposes and objectives of Surah An-Naml, which are to admonish and warn the people. The main conclusion of the research emphasizes the importance of examining intertextual relations and conceptual chaining in Quranic studies. It shows that this approach can lead to the discovery of new semantic and interpretive patterns in religious texts. Additionally, the results of this study can improve educational methods and the interpretation of Quranic texts, providing new insights for researchers and Quranic commentators.