Narrative Structure of Surah Yusuf: A study through

Labov’s Model

Furquan Ahmad

FUI Registration Number

MSAL/Fall 19/003

A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements

for the Degree of MS English (Linguistics)

Department of English

Foundation University Rawalpindi Campus

2022
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Candidate Declaration Form

I, Furquan Ahmad Registration son of Qazi Sultan Ahmad Registration # Fall

A19/MSAL/003 candidate of MS English Linguistics at Foundation University
Rawalpindi Campus do hereby present this thesis entitled Narrative Structure of Surah
Yusuf: A Study Through Labov’s Model in partial fulfilment of the requirements of MS
English Linguistics. I declare that the work is my own endeavour, includes no plagiarised
content, and has not been submitted as a part of academic assessment at any other
institution.

______________________

Furquan Ahmad

Endorsed by

_________________________

Brig (R) Dr. Fazl e Rabbi

Co-Supervisor

_________________________

Dr. Rubina Kamran

Supervisor
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Certification
The undersigned certify that this thesis entitled Narrative Structure of Surah Yusuf: A
Study Through Labov’s Model submitted by Furquan Ahmad Registration # Fall
A19/MSAL/003 is accepted in its present form by the Department of English, Foundation
University Rawalpindi Campus as satisfying the partial requirement for the award of the
degree of MS English (Linguistics).

Brig (R) Dr. Fazl e Rabbi ______________________________

Co-Supervisor

Dr. Rubina Kamran ______________________________

Supervisor

______________________________
Internal Examiner

______________________________
External Examiner

Dr. Amer Akhtar ______________________________

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A/Head, Department of English

Acknowledgements

I am thankful to Allah Almighty for providing an opportunity to take up a devout

task to work with Surah Yusuf, and to experience the pleasure of the mysteries of its
magnificent organization. I would express my profound gratitude towards my teachers
and staff members, who have contributed to the successful completion of this study.
Foremost among them is my supervisor, Dr Rubina Kamran, who offered me excellent
advice and academic guidance at every stage of my work. I am also thankful to Acting
Head of Department Dr Amer Akhtar, who showed us the roadmap to conduct the
research work and helped us to realize our virtual ideas. Special thanks to Dr Raja
Naseem as his helpful discussions made the research work easier and presentable. I am
also grateful to co-supervisor Brig (R) Fazl e Rabbi, who shared his expertise on the
Qur’an and its narratives.
I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my whole family, especially my
mother Azra Sultana (An ex teacher), and my spouse Rubina Kanwal, for their
unwavering support and encouragement. My sons who have been instrumental in
assisting me in using modern tools in the research. I am grateful to my niece Aden Kafait
student of BS English in Islamic International University Islamabad, who has helped me,
out of the way to gather the data for the study. At the end I am obliged to Dr William
Labov who updated my knowledge through mails about the Six Schema applied in the
study. I am also thankful to Dr Ameer Sultan of Islamic International University
Islamabad, who has been very supportive in the collection of data and in approaching the
target population. I appreciate Dr Gulzar Ahmad of Riphah University, Faisalabad
Campus, whose timely guidance lend me great help during research work. Finally, I shall
remain grateful to Dr Monis Ikhlaq, my Department Head, who supported me and
provided an opportunity to continue higher studies.
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Dedicated to

To my father may his soul rest in peace, Amen.

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Abstract
Narrative Structure of Surah Yusuf: A Study Through Labov’s Model

Qur’an is merely considered as a religious book and this perception leads it to be

only a rhetoric or guidance for the religious obligations. But in fact it is a literary
masterpiece and has all the essentials which make it a unique text and it fulfils all the
parameters of a modern narrative.

The study is an endeavor to bring forth the narrative richness of Qur’an which is
in no way lesser than any perfect narrative and meets all the in vogue parameters. The
study will contribute to the better understanding of Qur’anic verses translated in English.
Taking as one such example researcher analyzed the narrative structure of Surah Yusuf
through Labov model spectacles; a novel approach in the field of narrative structure
analysis.

Qualitative cum quantitative approach was adopted under the post positivist
paradigm. Ontologically the researcher will try to identify the narrative techniques
applied in Surah Yusuf’s narrative and at epistemological level researcher will find how
far the Labov model helps in the understanding of Surah Yusuf. Data was collected
through purposive sampling. A Likert Scale questionnaire was employed as research tool
which was based on two stages that is the pre and post Labovian knowledge.

The results of the analysis showed that the students’ inclination toward Qur’an is
heightened as their comprehension of the narratives is enhanced. It is also found through
the analysis of the data that six features quite comprehensive and students feel no need to
add or deduct a feature from the schema. However, it is found through students’
response that they lack clarity about applying Labov model on other narratives of Qur’an.

The focal area of this research work was not critical on Qur’an but an addition to
make ease in the understanding of narratives of Qur’an’s by the readers’ in context with
modern narrative structure.
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Table of Contents
1. Introduction1
1.1 Narrative and Narratology2

1.3 Theoretical Perspective4

1.4 Purpose Statement
1.5 Literature Review7
1.6 Objectives11
1.7 Research Questions12
1.8 Methodology12
1.9 Rationale12
1.10 Significance13
2. Literature Review15
2.1 Major Structural Studies on Qur’an15
2.2 Surah Yusuf and its Structure
2.3 Application of William Labov’s Model32
2.4 Research Gap36
3. Theoretical Framework/Methodology40
3.1 Theretical Framework41
3.1.1 Six Schema42
3.1.2 Clausal Arrangement46
3.1.3 Universal Structure48
3.2 Research Approach49
3.3. Population49
3.4. Research Tool49
3.5 Research Process50
3.6 Delimitation51
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3.7 Sampling52
3.8 Analytical Approach52
3.9 Ethical Considerations52
3.10 Limitations of the Study53
3.11 Validity and Reliability53
4. Analysis54
4.1 Analysis of the data55
4.1.1 Pre-Labov Model Knowledge55
4.1.2 Post-Labov Model Knowledge64
4.2 Discusiion/Comparative Analysis72
4.2 Findings78
5. Conclusion80
5.1 Recommendations82
5.2 Further Studies82
References84
Appendices89
ix
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Appendices

Annx A
Questionnaire
(For Student Respondents)
Instructions: Please tick the appropriate box against each statement.
Part A: Pre-Labov Model Knowledge
S. Statement Strongly Agree Not Disagree Strongly
No Agree Clear Disagree
1. I was aware of the narrative structure components.

2. I always found the narratives of Qur’an interesting.

3. I applied narrative structure knowledge when I read Quran.

4. I was aware of Labov’s Six Schema model earlier.

5. I applied narrative structure schema while reading Surah Yusuf.

6. I applied narrative structure knowledge to unravel hidden

message in Surah Yusuf.
7. I was aware that particular narrative structure is following in the
Quran.
8. I understood the Quran very well before introduction to Labov’s
narrative structure model.
9. I could understand Surah Yusuf very well before introduction of
Labov’s narrative structure model.

Part B: Post-Labov Model Knowledge

S. Statement Strongly Agree Not Disagree Strongly

No Agree Clear Disagree
1. I have clearly understood Labov model’s Six Schema concept.

2. My comprehension of Surah Yusuf increased with my awareness

of the Labov’s model.
3. Labov’s Six Schema can be applied on all narratives of Qur’an.

4. Labov’s six schema framework enabled me conceptualize the

structure of Surah Yusuf into identifiable components.
5. I was able to unravel the hidden message of Surah Yusuf after my
awareness of Labov’s model.
6. The Labov’s model can comprehensively explain the narrative
structure of Surah Yusuf.
7. The modern narrative structure theories can be successfully
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applied on narratives of Quran.

8. Reading Surah Yusuf through Labov’s structural model has
awaken my interest to read other narratives of Quran.