Metaphor Frequency Across Themes in the Quran: An Analytical Study

This study investigates the frequency and thematic distribution of metaphors in the Quran, focusing on four central themes: Divine Attributes, Human Conduct, Eschatological Imagery, and Punishment and Reward. Using the Metaphor Identification Procedure (MIP) and a systematic coding framework, Quranic metaphors were identified, categorized, and analyzed. The analysis was performed on both the original Arabic text and several English translations to ensure consistency and reliability in metaphor identification. Quantitative methods, including frequency distribution and Chi-square tests using SPSS, revealed significant patterns in metaphor usage. The theme of Human Conduct accounted for the highest number of metaphors, followed by Divine Attributes and Eschatological Imagery, suggesting that metaphors serve as cognitive and rhetorical tools to communicate abstract moral and theological concepts more vividly. The Chi-square test confirmed that metaphor frequency was not random, indicating a strategic use of figurative language in Quranic discourse. The findings provide crucial insights into how metaphors in the Quran function as essential linguistic mechanisms for understanding divine, moral, and eschatological teachings. By bridging abstract theological concepts with human cognition, metaphors help believers engage more deeply with the Quran's messages. This study's contribution extends to both Quranic studies and cognitive linguistics, highlighting the importance of metaphors in sacred texts and offering valuable perspectives for translation, interpretation, and religious discourse analysis.