Deviation of the meanings of “may” and some forms of the present tense from the requirements of its apparent meaning in the Holy Qur’an

Abstract

This research has studied the distinction of the systems of the Holy Qur’an in taking the meanings of four forms, namely: “He may know”, “we may know”, “we may have known”, and “we may see”. The study determines the contexts and their connotations that may influence in creating these four forms and influenced their interpretation. This includes the apparent and direct meanings of these forms, and the denotative purposes of the verses in which they are mentioned, then the relation of the adverb and the denominator outside the linguistic component of them. Then the research confirmed that the intended meanings - from this distinguished linguistic performance - are not what we proceed to take from the apparent linguistic composition of these forms, but rather deviated from the requirements of their apparent meanings to rhetorical meanings, such as warning and prohibition - for example - that were mentioned in "He may know", and their purpose is to warn and intimidate. Its aim is to influence the addressees and urge them to rectify their shortcomings and correct their practices.