Speech Acts in Al-Hallaj's Diwan: A Pragmatic and Analytical Study

Abstract

       This study aims to analyze speech acts in the poetry of al-Husayn ibn Mansur al-Hallaj from a pragmatic perspective, drawing on speech act theory as established by John Austin and developed by John Searle. It seeks to reveal how language in al-Hallaj's Diwan transcends its descriptive function to become a tool for achieving linguistic acts with profound spiritual and mystical dimensions. The study begins with a central question: How do speech acts manifest in al-Hallaj's poetry, and what pragmatic functions do they perform within Sufi discourse? To answer this, the study adopts an analytical pragmatic approach, based on Searle's classification of speech acts into: informative, directive, expressive, obligatory, and declarative. The results showed that al-Hallaj's poetry is remarkably rich in its use of various types of speech acts, though these do not perform their direct functions but rather take on an indirect character based on symbolism and suggestion. Informative verbs become a means of expressing the experience of annihilation and union, while expressive verbs reflect profound emotional states such as longing and suffering. Directive verbs transcend their traditional function to express an inner inclination toward self-transcendence, while obligatory verbs embody a spiritual commitment based on steadfastness on the path of love. Declarative verbs stand out as a tool for announcing existential transformation, despite their limited presence. The study also revealed a set of pragmatic characteristics in al-Hallaj's discourse, most notably the reliance on indirect verbs. The study examines the multiple levels of meaning, the density of symbolism and allusion, and the crucial role of the Sufi context in shaping and interpreting meaning. It concludes that speech act theory provides an effective methodological framework for analyzing Sufi poetry, as it allows for the unveiling of the performative dimensions of language and highlights how, in al-Hallaj's work, discourse transforms into a linguistic practice that expresses a profound spiritual experience transcending the literal meaning.