The True Similes of Doomsday into Quranic Discourse An Analysis Based on Ostensive-Inferential Communication Concept

This study attempts to unfold inputs (stimuli) and outputs (assumptions) of the cognition process of Qur?anic true similes, by utilizing ostensive-inferential communication concept, which is basically a relevance-theoretic term. This study is divided into two sections; the first provides for clarity of the cognitive features of the true simile, and illustration of the concept of ostensive-inferential communication. The second section provides for the application of the study?s theoretical premise by scrutinizing ostension and inferential process of true similes via the contextual realization in Quran discourse. The study, through adapting a descriptive and a qualitative methodologies, selected five verses from the Holy Quran, which hold representations of the tremendous cataclysm scenes of the Doomsday, via constructing resemblances between ?men and moths?, (Al-Qari?a :3) mountain and carded wool? (Al-Qari?a: 4), sky and molten brass or dregs of oil? (Al-Ma?arij: 8), ?rolling up heavens and a scroll rolled up for books? (Al-Anbiya?:104) and ?sky and ointment? (Ar-Rahman:37). This study finds that the perception and the propositional, informative and inferential construction of true simile are different from literal simile and metaphor. It further reveals that Qur'anic true similes are used as a cognitive tool, that facilitate inferential and interpretative processes via its communication of abstract and unseen and nuanced themes of God?s message to its audience. Moreover, similes contain relevant vehicles, as they are driven from audiences? cognitive environment, have strong ostensive stimuli with strong contextual effects, and easy assumption accessibility for audiences, to grasp the intangible scenes and infer the communicator intentions with the least exert cognitive efforts.