A Semantic Study of Qur'anic Expressions of Condolences

Abstract

Language is the essential signaling system used as communicative acts to achieve goals or purposes. Condolences are one of the communicative speech acts that are used on occasions of affliction and bereavement for three purposes: sharing the sorrow of the bereaved by expressing sympathy and regret, giving support and encouragement, and assuring the temporality of life. Accordingly, the bereaved  feels comfortable to hear these verbal expressions from  others. One of the factors that determine the appropriate selection of condolences is religion. Certain religions such as Islam provide classic stock of condolences which are respectively observed by Muslims .