Communicative Interaction: A Pragmatic Applied Analysis of the Dialogue in the Story of al-Baqarah

Abstract

Practically, the story of the Cow represents a rich model of dialogic interaction in the Qur’anic discourse, combining argumentation and ethical refinement within a religious context. The verses reveal a communicative conflict between Moses and the Children of Israel, marked by the people's stubbornness and obstinacy, in contrast to the wisdom and patience of the prophet. At the enunciative level, there is a notable use of pronouns and deictic elements (time/place/person). On the argumentative level, the Israelites’ neglect of the authority argument—the divine command—is highlighted. Relationally, the gap between them and their prophet becomes evident, shown in the absence of terms of closeness or respect. The ethical model of Taha Abderrahmane emphasizes the centrality of three values: intention (qasd), truthfulness (sidq), and sincerity (ikhlas)—all present in Moses and absent in his people. The interaction continues between a divine order that demands immediate execution and an implicit refusal, manifested through repeated questioning. Analytically, procrastination appears as a rhetorical tactic to evade obedience, resulting in an emergent legislation that increased the complexity of the Cow's required traits. This model demonstrates how divine discourse intersects with modern pragmatics, revealing the social and ethical dimensions of communication.