Symbolic language in Quran

Study of Concept: The word "symbol" is Arabic, and it literally means gestures by lips and eyebrows and using a hidden voice. And has been used only once in Qur'an: قَالَ رَبِّ اجْعَل لِي آيَةً قَالَ آيَتُكَ أَلَّا تُكَلِّمَ النَّاسَ ثَلاَثَةَ أَيَّامٍ إِلَّا رَمْزَاً؛"[Zacharias] said: "My Lord! Give me a sign. Said: "Your sign is that not speak to people for three days except by tokens (codes)". (Al-Imran / 42) This term is also used in Persian, and means "referring, Tip, minute, Mystery, cabal, what lies between the men(Secret), puzzles, mark, sign, signifier, abbreviation, sign a contract, and so on.
Equivalent of this word in European languages is ‘symbol’ (Symbol) and »نماد» in Farsi.
There are several definitions about "token", "symbolism" and "symbol" including:
1 token: Bode for any marks, notes, word, combination of words, and the term which its meaning is behind what appeared to be proven. The Common meaning of all the above words is the lack of clarity and secrecy.
2. Symbol: "Symbol represents something vague, unknown or hidden to us. A word or a figure considered to be symbolic when it implies something more than an obvious and direct meaning. 3. Mark (symbolism): Paul Tillich by separating the meaning of symbol and mark (symbolism) considers them as broader-narrower. Because sometimes words are symbols for a while then become a mark.
Based on his idea the symbolic religious term (particle) characteristics are as followings:
A: in the symbolic term, there is a non-compliance signified.
B: non-compliance signified is very complicated.
C: non-compliance signified symbol, is God or whatever replace God.
D: religion is equal to knowing God and linking heart with Him and nothing otherwise. Considered as religious predicate that its main and direct function is such relationship. Each predicate that has (possess) all the former features, its language is symbolic.
Analysis:
Dr. Abolfazl Sajedi has regarded "Tillich" symbolic language theory against token language theory and analyzes "Tillich" symbolic language theory well. But did not provide a specific definition of token language .Rather, equated token language with interpretive language and have been introduced it consists of three approaches Inwards-oriented interpretation, Sufis and interpretations of Positivist.
But Dr. Saidi Roshan Considered symbol and symbolic language as one. And has learned Inwards-oriented interpretation as "inwards-token oriented". And has also considered Sufis- oriented interpretation as part of token theory.
But Mr. Ferasatkhah has raised the discussion by the topic "token (coded) letters in Quran language" and has discussed in detail. It seems because of the youth of the discussion about the Qur'an language, Boundaries and divisions are not entirely clear, thus, everyone has divided them based on their interests. However, if we consider token, symbol and mark the same (as some Previous authors have noted) the following examples can be used as its evidence (Instances-antitypes).
1. Segmented letters of Qur'an based on the view that considers these letters as Divine Secrets of Quran. (This subject will be discussed later in this article).
2. Sufis and inwards- oriented interpretations.
Note: the term interpretation has different usage. And here has the same (similar) meaning as token and symbol. (We will explain it later in this article)
3. General and specific symbol
Specific symbolism based on Paul Tillich theory and symbol in general sense (hint, code, allegory) the later meaning used from some Islamic scholars works about the Quran language.
Note 1: Before the inclusion of some instances (of the language) following others be important, the study and the accommodation of them into Verses are important that will obtain anyhow.
Note 2: The division of symbolic language does not mean that all items are in Qur'an or the accommodation of them by individuals and groups on verses are true. We explain these different types further and study about accommodation of them with Quran verses.
Note 3: Difference between the symbol and allegory: Symbol (token) is close to metaphor in the sense that the figurative meaning, refers to the meaning other than literal meaning, and, in addition to the figurative meaning, because it will be possible to have real sense in it, it is similar to irony; But despite these similarities, and probably other similarities, symbol is distinct from these two and because there isn’t قرینه صارفهin it to lead reader to a clear, specific and limited concept to certain areas, Is more ambiguous and complex than metaphor and allusion; so the main character of symbol in connection with imagery is that it is not limited to a specific Figurative meaning And the possible development of several figurative meaning lies in it potentially.
Kinds of token language:
1: Symbolic letters of Quran (segmented letters of Qur'an)
In the Holy Quran there are 14 letters in the beginning of 29 Chapters as Segmented letters. That interpreter have offered different views about the meaning, explanation and interpretation of them and different sayings have uttered from Ahlul Bayt(holly inmate) in this case that one of these views and sayings is about the codified feature of these letters. We refer to the most important ideas about this.
1. These letters are the name of each chapter.
2. These letters are the names of Quran.
3. Segmented letters refer to names and attributes of God or His supreme name.
4. These are letters that God had sworn to them.
5. Refer to the blessings and tragedies and longevity of nations.
6. The purpose of these letters is that, even though Quran is a miracle, it made of these normal alphabets however no one can bring something like that.
7. These letters were recited with drawl since the disbelievers who made noise against prophet and prevent him to speak, become quite.
8. These letters refer to the theme of Chapters; that means chapters with same segmented letters have the same theme.
9. These letters are a mystery between God and his prophet which we do not understand.
10. These letters are of allegorical characters (Homologues) of Quran, that no one except God knows its final meaning and interpretation.
11. These letters, based on mathematical numbers, are associated with the theme of the chapters and these letters are more involved in the chapters that they are used in them.
12. God by these letters expresses the way he started his work that means promise, words and thoughts in the universe are prior to the substance, body and nature. Some of these interpretations are in harmony with ahlul bayt (holy inmate) sayings, but it is interesting that after 24 cases of segmented letters of Quran, immediately is spoken about the Quran and its magnitude that perhaps this shows the relationship between the two.
However, there is nothing wrong that the purpose of the segmented letters be some of above said cases. But most of these views have not a valid reason and some of them can be merged into some others.
However, it seems that the third, fifth and sixth probabilities are closer to reality and are more harmonious with ahlulbayt sayings.
Some authors also linked segmented letters to mathematical calculation, For example, the letter "n" in the beginning of chapter "Ghalam (pen)"shows that the relative use of this letter in this verse (chapter) is more than other chapters.
Some writers in the Qur'an language extent presented the above segmented letters as token letters (codes) in Quran language. And write With reference to the views in this field: "Since the beginning of Islam, Different interpretations and paraphrases have been presented about segmented letters. Sometimes are known as the Qur'an names, sometimes the names of the chapters, and sometimes symbolic names and deeds of God ;( for example: ALM(الم)= Allah, Latif, Majid), Suyuti writes : they sometimes say in Arabic : قلت لها قفي فقالت قاف(I told him "should" he said: "qaf" < ق: وقفت>). In Almizan(المیزان) the recent theory is known as sayings(quotations) that can find an approval for it(that can approve it). Allameh Tabatabai then added that assuming the correctness of such narratives, segmented letters are codes that implicate the more precise meaning and far greater names of Allah. This means that when we say "o compassionate!" this side of the divine attribute of mercy is raised for us but the letter "R" refers to that inward and deeper side of divine mercy Truth and require more contemplation and talent. As Imam Ali (pub) said: "یا کهيعص"and etc., According to some narratives, these letters are not only sporadically a symbol of the names of God, but as a whole shines (shows) the supreme divine name.

These symbolic letters has been considered as other religious studies. For example, according to the narration of Ibn Abbas, "الم " refers to "Allah- Jibreel-Mohammad". But then everyone looks from an angle of view and has found his desired in the secret of these letters. Ibn Arabi considered them as mysticism secrets in conquests, Faiz said: the unseen secret of these letters is that after Combination and deletion become repeated
«صراط عليٍّ «صحّ طريقک مع السنّة»
Segmented latters, also probably linked to" " حساب جمل, Abjad (numerological) numbers, and exotic (strange and odd) sciences, and According to a narration in Tabari's interpretation of Ibn Abbas, when the Prophet read chapter al-Baqara for Jewish scholars, they considered "الم" as "جمل" and said: should we enter the religion of a prophet which his ruling period and the end of his ummah is 71 years? The Prophet smiled and answered: المص، الر و المر نيز هست
Allameh Tabatabai Review and analyze this narrative, and writes: Assuming the correctness, it doesn’t imply that the prophet confirmed and signed the relevance of these letters to "حساب جمل" especially because he smiled''.
One of the researchers referring to Allameh Tabatabai's view about the similarity of the theme of chapters with same segmented letters (for example chapters that begin with "الم"). Considers (calls) segmented letters as symbol of Quran and Arab and الفبای بشر. And choose an integration theory and write: "Thus, segmented letters on the one hand are abstract and symbol of alphabets of human language and a manifestation of Arabic language and on the other hand abstract and symbol of Quran. He not only taught human to speak (express) but also he himself speak by Quran and the symbol of both is, expression of segmented latters. Apparently this means that The Quran expresses لب و لباب و گوهر مرادیthat The man search for it with all philosophical, scientific, technical, ideological articles, And with whole systems of thought, and social and civic, And with all logical analysis and value judgments, During his historical ways, and In the final analysis. (But not that the expression, make him needless to pass this way. Rather, it is worthy that in passing the processes never be without companionship of that guided star that: يهدي للّتي هي اقوم.
And according to what are about the relation between segmented letters and Allah's name and supreme name in Islamic sources Perhaps segmented letters, in addition to the above said, Referring to the fact that all human searches from the past to the future, to the jewel of the Qur'an; and the message of the Qur'an also in the end to the Well names and Allah's perfection attributes And all of them finally lead to that ultimate targets and the last secret and existence value: وَأَنَّ إِلَى‏ رَبِّكَ الْمُنتَهَى «نجم، 42»، وَكَلِمَةُ اللّهِ هِيَ الْعُلْيَا «توبه، 40»، هُوَ الْأَوَّلُ وَالْآخِرُ وَالظَّاهِرُ وَالْبَاطِنُ «حديد، 3»، فَبِأَيِّ حَدِيثٍ بَعْدَ اللَّهِ وَآيَاتِهِ يُؤْمِنُونَ «جاثيه، 6».
Such a theory can also contain many direct quotations existing in Islamic sources. Because according to this theory can be stated that, segmented letters of Quran Homonymous are (codes on it) and Quran chapters Homonymous are (token codes), they refer to both inside of Allah's names and jewel of revealed knowledge and traditions and its legitimacies in nature and history; Also attract the attention of an audience And provoke her curiosity; It is also a manifestation of the miracle of the Quran and also a reference and declaratory to it. And finally a sacrament to the values of letters and significance and sanctity of language that is the only way which man can think, speculate and learn, Expressing the ideals and values And make ideologies And even receive a divine message through it, And in the aegis of all these achieve the material and spiritual prosperity But it also goes to "transcendental" in the process of perfection: انا لله و انا اليه راجعون