The Duality (Achievement and Impact) - A Pragmatic Reading of Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq's Sermon as a Case Study

Discourse constitutes a central domain within contemporary linguistic studies, wherein successful communication is contingent upon the recipient’s ability to apprehend the speaker’s intended illocutionary purpose. A comprehensive understanding of discourse transcends the mere interpretation of its sentences and lexical items, encompassing instead the recognition of its underlying semantic structures and diverse pragmatic intentions. The address delivered by Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) exemplifies a pragmatic discourse whose thematic core revolves around the issue of political succession and the assumption of state leadership—serving as the conceptual nucleus around which all speech acts are organized. The illocutionary force embedded within these acts exerts a persuasive–perlocutionary effect, fostering in the audience a sense of security and reassurance, while eliciting behavioral engagement in alignment with the discourse’s requirements. The speech further demonstrates the deployment of precise pragmatic strategies by the speaker to fulfill communicative objectives and ensure the effectiveness of the argumentative structure.