The Rhetoric of Sensory Imagery in Selected Prophetic Ḥadiths

Abstract

The eloquence of the Prophet Muḥammad (peace be upon him) has always drawn the interest of rhetoricians and scholars, who continue to draw upon it for inspiration. This comes as no surprise, as he was granted the Qur’an along with a divinely inspired counterpart, and the ability to express profound meanings in concise words. Despite the abundance of studies on figurative language in Ḥadith, little focus has been given to sensory imagery. While some works have examined sensory references and their impact on both syntactic structure and interpretation, a contemplative examination of the Prophet’s Ḥadiths reveals rich and masterfully composed, depicted, and well-formed rhetorical systems - visual, chromatic, auditory, gustatory, tactile, and olfactory - intricately intertwined with intellectual formations. Accordingly, this study aims to analyze these forms stylistically and descriptively through selected Ḥadiths, reconciling classical and modern rhetorical perspectives. It also explores the rhetorical functions of such imagery in linking the elements of the text, enhancing comprehension of the Ḥadith’s intended meaning, and highlights its aesthetics in terms of wording, structure, meaning, implication, and eloquence.