Semantic Gradation in the Lexical Field of Joy: An Analysis of Selected Verses from the Holy Qur?an

Objectives: This study investigates the lexical field of joy in Classical Arabic, with particular attention to its semantic gradations in selected Qur?anic verses. Employing the framework of semantic gradation, it verifies terms denoting joy meaning, and analyzes how layered expressions of meaning contribute to verse-level interpretation and articulate both pragmatic and theological functions. By integrating this analytical lens with evidence from the Classical Arabic linguistic corpus, the research advances a more precise and nuanced understanding of Qur?anic discourse. Methodology: The study adapts two methods: a descriptive method, tracing lexical data in classical Arabic linguistic and lexicographical sources; and a purposive method, selecting three Qur?anic instances exemplifying joy-related lexemes. These are analyzed to illustrate how semantic gradation functions in context, drawing on modern semantics, early Arabic linguistic scholarship, and Quranic exegesis. Conclusion: Findings reveal that semantic gradation explains the deliberate selection of one lexical item over semantically related alternatives, uncovering precise contextual meanings and enhancing the semantical force of the text. Joy-related lexemes emerge as a systematic semantic field, integral to the Qur?an?s communicative and theological aims. The study further highlights the applicability of semantic gradation to other lexical domains, with implications for pedagogy, discourse analysis, and translation studies.