Lexical Cohesion in the Concept of Taqwa in the Holy Qur'an: A Textual Study

Abstract

Linguistic studies, particularly in pragmatics and text linguistics, have increasingly emphasized the text rather than the sentence as the primary unit of meaning. Accordingly, this study examines lexical cohesion as a key mechanism of textual coherence in Qur'anic discourse, using the concept of taqwā (God-consciousness/piety) as a case study. It investigates two major dimensions of lexical cohesion: repetition and lexical collocation. Repetition reinforces textual unity by recurring and reformulating lexical items, highlighting the centrality of taqwā and ensuring semantic continuity throughout the discourse. Lexical collocation explores the semantic associations between recurring lexical items, revealing interconnected networks in which the occurrence of one expression naturally evokes another. These cohesive relations construct an integrated lexical system that enhances the coherence of the Qur'anic text and demonstrates how the concept of taqwā develops from an abstract notion into a practical and lived reality