Toshihiko Izutsu’s Semantic Approach to QS. An-Nisā’ [4]: 63 on the Ethics of Communication in the Social Space

Ilzam Hubby Dzikrillah Alfani* -  Universitas Islam Negeri Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Sawfa Atina Mafaza -  Universitas Islam Negeri Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, Indonesia
DOI : 10.24952/tkml.v1i2.17534
This study explores the meaning of qaulan balīghā in QS. An-Nisā' [4]: 63 using Toshihiko Izutsu's semantic method and applies it to digital communication contexts, as existing interpretations inadequately address challenges like cyberbullying, hate speech, hoaxes, and digital polarization. Through qualitative library research involving syntagmatic, paradigmatic, diachronic, and synchronic analyses, three core meanings emerge: al-wuṣūl (reaching the heart), al-ta'thīr (psychological influence), and al-ḥikmah (wisdom in speech). Diachronically, the term evolved from a technical-rhetorical meaning in the pre-Qur'anic period to an ethical-psychological meaning in the Qur'anic period, then expanded to theological-pedagogical and humanistic-universal meanings. Paradigmatically, qaulan balīghā functions as a hypernym encompassing truth (sadīd), gentleness (layyin), appropriateness (ma'rūf), and nobility (karīm). Thus, qaulan balīghā represents a transformative communicative ethic integrating these four dimensions into every utterance, serving as the pinnacle of Qur'anic communication ethics applicable to da'wa, education, and digital spaces. This study's novel contribution lies in operationalizing qaulan balīghā to counter digital communication problems while bridging classical tafsir with communication psychology and media sociology.

Keywords : Communication Ethics; Digital Social Space; Qaulan Balīghā; QS. An-Nisā’ [4]: 63; Toshihiko Izutsu's Semantics

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