Examples of Prophetical Epigrams in Literary Texts
Subject Areas : Research in Iranian classical literature
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Keywords: Persian Literary Texts Verbal Witty words Prophet Mohammad,
Abstract :
This research intends to respond to this question; due to the fact that Quran says; "it was spoken to him", "he does not speak of lust and likes", and " you have an excellent morales", would Prophet Mohammad speak of epigrams and funny words? If so, then what category would Prophet's epigrams would fit in? What elements were mostly used in them? Has the Prophet considered any limitations for such epigrams? This research shows that at that time, Prophet Mohammad did mean to speak funny and witty words. However, he never violated moralities. The prophets' witty words are categorized in two groups; first are the wise witty words with a advice; and the second groups are the general witty words that are less complicated. The general witty words are two kinds; the witty words of "situation" and "phrasal" ones. The phrasal ones include linguistic rhetorical ones such as puns and ambiguities, brevity, creating wonders in the language and behavior, paradox and antithesis. Also part of these witty words is instructional. The prophetical witty words are mostly linguistic and phrasal ones, symbols, and emblems, intending to humiliate and insult others, and rarely seen in them. Nevertheless, since at times, the term "witty words" is used in the domain of offence, insult and humiliation or even the social matters, and the prophet's lofty character is superior to any of this, no one has ever categorized the dear Prophet's words at all. The writer of this research has called all the Prophet's witty linguistic points, comments and words "witty" to be polite within the religious borders without any exception.
