The Function of Qur’anic Verses in the Semantic Suspension of Saadi’s Gulistan Tales

Abstract

This study conducts a detailed investigation into the function of Qur’anic verses within the mechanism of semantic suspension in the narratives of Saadi’s Gulistan. The central aim of this research is to uncover the intricate process through which Saadi, by intelligently integrating elements of divine discourse into his narrative structure, elevates the authority and depth of the moral teachings embedded in his anecdotes beyond the level of mere secular advice. Methodologically, this research is based on a qualitative content analysis of literary texts, adopting a historical–interpretive and comparative approach. All Qur’anic references embedded within the tales are meticulously categorized and examined under three principal types: (1) direct citation and explicit verbal reference; (2) use of narrative parables and story motifs derived from the Qur’an; and (3) eloquent semantic adaptation and translation of Qur’anic themes. The key findings reveal that the primary function of these incorporations is the creation of a sustained semantic suspension. This suspension displaces the final judgment of each moral teaching from the personal domain and situates it within a system of fixed and universal divine laws. Through this method, Saadi conveys ethical principles not as variable counsel, but as practical injunctions derived from a legitimate sacred source. Overall, the presence of the Qur’an in the Gulistan serves as the driving force of legitimization, transforming earthly advice into a message endowed with theological permanence.