The Qur’anic Stories in Surah Al-Kahf: A Rhetorical and Semantic Approach in Light of Human Trials

Abstract

This study examines the Qur’anic stories in Surah Al-Kahf from a rhetorical and semantic perspective, aiming to uncover the artistic and rhetorical methods employed by the Qur’anic text to construct meaning and guide humans toward steadfastness in faith and dealing with worldly trials. The research focuses on the four main stories in the surah: the People of the Cave, the Owner of the Two Gardens, Moses and Khidr, and Dhul-Qarnayn, analyzing rhetorical expressions such as metaphor, simile, dialogue, and repetition, as well as studying the symbolic semantic meanings carried by these stories.The study concludes that the Qur’anic stories combine artistic creativity with deep semantic significance and offer a comprehensive model for confronting human trials: religion, wealth, knowledge, and power. This makes Surah Al-Kahf a complete educational discourse capable of guiding humans in facing life’s challenges.