The Interrogative Style of Islamic Preaching in the Light of Surah Al-Ankabut

Abstract

This research paper explores the interrogative style employed in Islamic preaching, with a specific focus on Surah Al-Ankabut. The study highlights how rhetorical questions are used as a powerful tool to provoke thought, challenge false beliefs, and guide individuals toward truth and reflection. Surah Al-Ankabut, revealed during a time of intense persecution of early Muslims, presents a unique blend of narrative, argumentation, and questioning to strengthen faith and expose the fallacies of polytheism. By analyzing selected verses from this Surah, the paper examines how interrogative expressions serve as a persuasive and educational device within the Qur’anic discourse. The study also discusses the broader implications of this style in Islamic pedagogy and da'wah (inviting others to Islam), showing how questions stimulate cognitive engagement and moral introspection. Through a qualitative content analysis, this paper demonstrates that the Qur’anic use of interrogatives is not merely stylistic but deeply strategic—intended to awaken conscience, encourage reasoning, and reinforce divine truth. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of Qur’anic rhetoric and offer insights for contemporary Islamic communication and preaching methods.