Argumentation Discourse and its Mechanisms in Adam's Story

Abstract

This research paper discusses the argumentation style and mechanisms as narrated in the Quranic version of Adam's Story (pbuh); the event referred to as the first ever existence of mankind on Earth. It is one of the greatest and most significant stories in terms of its subject matter, concerned parties and eternal consequence. It is inclusive of all descendants of Adam. On the other hand, it is also a huge argumentative issue in view of its mission, position, time, location and direction as it took place in front of Allah; the All-Powerful and Owner of the universe. This important argumentation understudy is divided into successive sub-arguments and characterized by a miraculous and rhetorical style that includes various argumentative mechanisms that tends to strengthen the power and impact of speech. This paper deals with 'text' and ‘speech’ as two overlapping terminologies in their definitions. It also covers the conceptual meaning of Argumentation in the Arabic and Western societies. The Argumentation mechanisms, as shown in Adam's story, fall into the following four stages: First, the argument between Allah the Almighty and the Angels. Second, the argument between Allah the Almighty and Satan. Third, the argument between Allah the Almighty and Adam. Finally, the argument between Allah, the Almighty and Adam's eternal siblings till the Doomsday.