Mitigation in the Quran: A Pragmatic Study of Prophets’ Language Addressing their People by the words “O My People”

Abstract

This pragmatic study investigates mitigation strategies in prophetic discourse within the Quran, specifically examining the communicative function of the address term "O My People" (يَا قَوْمِ). The research adopts an analytical-descriptive methodology grounded in pragmatics and politeness theory, utilizing Ali and Salih's (2020) taxonomy of mitigation devices. Through qualitative content analysis and semantic interpretation supported by classical Tafsir to the 49 Quranic verses across multiple surah’s sources, the study identifies the linguistic and pragmatic objectives underlying this recurring rhetorical pattern. Findings reveal that the phrase "O My People" functions as a strategic mitigation device that softens illocutionary force, enhances interpersonal rapport, and facilitates receptive engagement with divine guidance. The analysis demonstrates that prophets consistently prioritized compassion, politeness, and persuasive dialogue over authoritative assertion, thereby modelling ethical communication aligned with Maqasid al-Sharia. The study concludes that mitigation in prophetic addressing serves both linguistic and theological purposes: it reflects divine mercy, promotes social harmony, and optimizes the reception of religious messages.