Written by: Dr. ʿUbaydullāh Fahd Falāḥī
Topic: Qur'anic Linguistic Styles and Their Significance
The Qur'an presents a remarkable and unparalleled style that combines the simplicity and continuity of prose with the rhythmic and melodic beauty of poetry. However, it cannot be classified strictly as either prose or poetry. Unlike conventional books with structured chapters and headings, the Qur'an flows with extraordinary language, unique reasoning, and profound coherence, granting it a status unlike any other text.
To grasp the position and message of the Qur'an, it is essential to study its varied linguistic and rhetorical styles. Below are some of the prominent stylistic features that enhance the Qur'an’s effectiveness:
This style involves concluding a passage with the same theme it began with, reinforcing the message and leaving a lasting impression.
Example:
Sūrat al-Muʾminūn begins by describing the traits of true believers, starting with:
قَدْ أَفْلَحَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ، الَّذِينَ هُمْ فِي صَلَاتِهِمْ خَاشِعُونَ
"Successful indeed are the believers, those who humble themselves in their prayers."
[Al-Muʾminūn: 1–2]
Later, it concludes this section with:
وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ عَلَى صَلَاتِهِمْ يُحَافِظُونَ
"And those who safeguard their prayers."
[Al-Muʾminūn: 9]
➤ This emphasizes that prayer is both the source and the protector of righteousness.
Sometimes the Qur'an uses similar sounding words for rhetorical effect, while the meanings are determined by context.
Example:
وَجَزَاءُ سَيِّئَةٍ سَيِّئَةٌ مِّثْلُهَا
"The recompense for an evil is an evil like it."
[Al-Shūrā: 40]
Although the word "evil" is repeated, the second refers to a just retaliation, not actual wrongdoing.
This style uses a qualified prohibition to emphasize the heinousness of an act rather than suggesting permissibility under other conditions.
Example:
وَلَا تُكْرِهُوا فَتَيَاتِكُمْ عَلَى الْبِغَاءِ إِنْ أَرَدْنَ تَحَصُّنًا
"Do not compel your slave girls to prostitution if they desire chastity."
[Al-Nūr: 33]
The added condition does not imply permissibility if they do not desire chastity, but rather underscores the severity and evil of the act.
The Qur'an often repeats core themes across various sūrahs, presenting them from diverse angles for deeper understanding.
Example:
The concept of Tawḥīd (Divine Oneness) is discussed:
Each approach reinforces the same fundamental message in a fresh and compelling manner.
This technique involves temporarily diverting from the main topic to insert a related narrative or exhortation, then returning to the original theme.
Example:
In Sūrat al-Muʾminūn, the beginning and end focus on the traits of believers and the deniers of truth. In between, the story of Prophet Nūḥ (ʿalayhi al-salām) is presented to illustrate the consequences of belief and rejection, before returning to the central message.
Understanding the stylistic and rhetorical features of the Qur'an is essential to appreciating its eloquence and majesty. Each stylistic method—whether repetition, interruption, parallelism, or reinforcement—serves to clarify key messages about:
✔ Tawḥīd (Divine Oneness)
✔ Ākhirah (the Hereafter)
✔ Risālah (Prophethood)
These styles elevate the Qur'an's language beyond human capability and underscore its miraculous nature.
Topic: Qur'anic Linguistic Styles and Their Significance
❖ The Distinctive Style of the Qur'an
The Qur'an presents a remarkable and unparalleled style that combines the simplicity and continuity of prose with the rhythmic and melodic beauty of poetry. However, it cannot be classified strictly as either prose or poetry. Unlike conventional books with structured chapters and headings, the Qur'an flows with extraordinary language, unique reasoning, and profound coherence, granting it a status unlike any other text.
❖ Introduction to Qur'anic Stylistic Approaches
To grasp the position and message of the Qur'an, it is essential to study its varied linguistic and rhetorical styles. Below are some of the prominent stylistic features that enhance the Qur'an’s effectiveness:
① ʿAwdu ʿalā al-Badʾ (Returning to the Opening Theme)
This style involves concluding a passage with the same theme it began with, reinforcing the message and leaving a lasting impression.
Example:
Sūrat al-Muʾminūn begins by describing the traits of true believers, starting with:
قَدْ أَفْلَحَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ، الَّذِينَ هُمْ فِي صَلَاتِهِمْ خَاشِعُونَ
"Successful indeed are the believers, those who humble themselves in their prayers."
[Al-Muʾminūn: 1–2]
Later, it concludes this section with:
وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ عَلَى صَلَاتِهِمْ يُحَافِظُونَ
"And those who safeguard their prayers."
[Al-Muʾminūn: 9]
➤ This emphasizes that prayer is both the source and the protector of righteousness.
② ʿAlā Sabīl al-Mushākalah (Rhetorical Parallelism or Sound Harmony)
Sometimes the Qur'an uses similar sounding words for rhetorical effect, while the meanings are determined by context.
Example:
وَجَزَاءُ سَيِّئَةٍ سَيِّئَةٌ مِّثْلُهَا
"The recompense for an evil is an evil like it."
[Al-Shūrā: 40]
Although the word "evil" is repeated, the second refers to a just retaliation, not actual wrongdoing.
③ Nahy Maqayyad (Restricted Prohibition)
This style uses a qualified prohibition to emphasize the heinousness of an act rather than suggesting permissibility under other conditions.
Example:
وَلَا تُكْرِهُوا فَتَيَاتِكُمْ عَلَى الْبِغَاءِ إِنْ أَرَدْنَ تَحَصُّنًا
"Do not compel your slave girls to prostitution if they desire chastity."
[Al-Nūr: 33]
The added condition does not imply permissibility if they do not desire chastity, but rather underscores the severity and evil of the act.
④ Taṣrīf (Thematic Variation)
The Qur'an often repeats core themes across various sūrahs, presenting them from diverse angles for deeper understanding.
Example:
The concept of Tawḥīd (Divine Oneness) is discussed:
- As human nature:
فِطْرَتَ اللَّهِ الَّتِي فَطَرَ النَّاسَ عَلَيْهَا
"The natural way of Allah upon which He created mankind."
[Al-Rūm: 30]
- Through prophetic invitation,
- And through signs in the universe
Each approach reinforces the same fundamental message in a fresh and compelling manner.
⑤ Takhlīṣ (Thematic Interruption and Return)
This technique involves temporarily diverting from the main topic to insert a related narrative or exhortation, then returning to the original theme.
Example:
In Sūrat al-Muʾminūn, the beginning and end focus on the traits of believers and the deniers of truth. In between, the story of Prophet Nūḥ (ʿalayhi al-salām) is presented to illustrate the consequences of belief and rejection, before returning to the central message.
❖ Summary of Insights
Understanding the stylistic and rhetorical features of the Qur'an is essential to appreciating its eloquence and majesty. Each stylistic method—whether repetition, interruption, parallelism, or reinforcement—serves to clarify key messages about:
✔ Tawḥīd (Divine Oneness)
✔ Ākhirah (the Hereafter)
✔ Risālah (Prophethood)
These styles elevate the Qur'an's language beyond human capability and underscore its miraculous nature.
