Interactional nature of concepts

Conceptual Metaphor Theory, a modern approach within cognitive linguistics introduced by Lakoff and Johnson in Metaphors We Live By (1980), posits that concepts are constituted not solely by inherent attributes but primarily by interactional characteristics. From this perspective, entities in the world do not possess fixed, intrinsic properties; rather, their meaning emerges only in relation to human action. Consequently, metaphors can assume the status of truth. Within the Qur’an, numerous injunctions and relational concepts can be interpreted through this theoretical framework as being grounded in interactional characteristics rather than in purely essentialist definitions. Adopting a descriptive–analytical method, this study examines several Qur’anic relationships, demonstrating how their meanings can be more adequately apprehended through the lens of Conceptual Metaphor Theory. The findings suggest that even human relationships in the Qur’an are not conceived as immutable or purely intrinsic. Instead, the Qur’an redefines relational concepts—such as mother, spouse, brother, and child—according to their roles, functions, and interactional qualities. Thus, notions such as the motherhood of the Prophet’s wives for the Muslim community and the brotherhood of believers represent, in Qur’anic discourse, new conceptual realities that transcend mere metaphorical usage.