The Role of the Disjointed Letters “Alif–Lām–Mīm (ALM)” in Structural Coherence and Determining the Main Purpose of the Surahs Beginning with Them

Abstract

The disjointed letters are among the most remarkable linguistic and semantic phenomena of the Holy Qur’an and have continuously attracted the attention of exegetes and Qur’anic scholars. Among these letters, the combination “ALM” occupies a distinctive position due to its repetition at the beginning of six surahs: al-Baqarah, Āl ʿImrān, al-ʿAnkabūt, al-Rūm, Luqmān, and al-Sajdah. The present study investigates the role of the disjointed letters “ALM” in establishing structural coherence and determining the main purpose of these surahs. The research adopts a descriptive–analytical method based on a structural–thematic approach and relies on the analysis of opening verses, conceptual axes, and internal textual relations within the surahs. The findings demonstrate that “ALM” is not merely a symbolic or phonetic element, but rather functions as a threshold sign that prepares the audience to enter the realm of revelation and comprehend the central message of each surah. In al-Baqarah, “ALM” is associated with divine guidance and the Book; in Āl ʿImrān with the stabilization of faith and defense of revelation; in al-ʿAnkabūt with trial and testing of belief; in al-Rūm with the fulfillment of divine promise and governance of history; in Luqmān with wisdom and monotheistic education; and in al-Sajdah with the authenticity of revelation, resurrection, and servitude. Comparative analysis of these surahs reveals the existence of a shared semantic network centered on the relationship between humanity and divine revelation. The results further indicate that the letters “ALM” contribute not only to intra-surah coherence but also to inter-surah connectivity, forming a unified guidance-oriented constellation among the ALM surahs. Ultimately, the study demonstrates that examining the disjointed letters from structural and purposive perspectives can open new horizons for understanding the coherence and inimitability of the Holy Qur’an.