A Pragmatic Analysis of Patience in the Holy Quran

Abstract

In this paper, the concept of patience in the Holy Quran is examined on a pragmatic basis meaning how the different speech acts of directives, commissives, expresses, representatives and declaratives influence how believers perceive and practice patience. Basing on the theory of speech act by Searle, and classical Islamic exegesis, the paper will examine important verses in the Quran in order to show how the text, in addition to teaching about patience, actually embodies the message of the necessity of showing patience by its commands, promises, and statements of divine support. The results show that patience is introduced as a moral necessity of persevering in hardships as well as a source of spiritual and social development. Through the study of language as used in the Quran to instruct, inspire and comfort the believers, this study points out patience as a dynamic virtue, which goes beyond merely enduring, and eventually cementing faith, bonding communities, and gives hope of divine reward.