❀ The Natural Style of the Qur’an
The Qur’an is not a book of philosophy or a research paper; rather, it is a book of invitation and guidance, revealed in various stages. At each stage, instructions, commands, and admonitions were provided in accordance with the circumstances, so that the message would penetrate the hearts and beliefs and principles would be firmly established in the minds.
❀ Wisdom Behind Repetition
Through repetition, fundamental beliefs and essential messages were highlighted at every stage, leaving no room for debate or denial by the rejecters of truth, and so that the seekers of guidance would firmly grasp the message.
❀ Objections to the Qur’an: Ignorance or Prejudice?
Those unfamiliar with the Qur’an’s literary style and profound meanings consider this repetition to be pointless. Even Western orientalists have raised objections, such as in The New Encyclopaedia Britannica, which stated about the Qur’an:
“The Qur’an often seems to be arranged in a rambling fashion, and its sentences appear to have been included merely for the sake of sound harmony.”
(Vol. 15, 1977)
These objections, in fact, stem from prejudice and ignorance of the Qur’an’s natural style. In reality, every sentence of the Qur’an is perfectly harmonious with its context and filled with deep meanings.
❀ Examples of the Repetition Style
✿ Surah Ar-Rahman:
In this surah, the verse:
"فَبِأَيِّ آلَاءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ"
is repeated multiple times. At each instance, this verse points out new blessings and invites humans to reflect on Allah’s mercy.
✿ Surah Al-Mursalat:
The verse:
"وَيْلٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْمُكَذِّبِينَ"
is repeated ten times, to repeatedly warn the deniers of the truth of their impending fate.
✿ Surah Al-Qamar:
Two verses:
"فَكَيْفَ كَانَ عَذَابِي وَنُذُرِ"
and
"وَلَقَدْ يَسَّرْنَا الْقُرْآنَ لِلذِّكْرِ فَهَلْ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍ"
are repeated after the fate of each nation, serving as a warning for the reader to take heed.
❀ Repetition of the Stories of the Prophets
The stories of the Prophets (علیہم السلام) are narrated repeatedly in the Qur’an, each time in a different context. This repetition serves several purposes:
✔ Expression of Eloquence and Rhetoric: Each narration employs a unique style, vocabulary, and expression, showcasing the miraculous eloquence of the Qur’an.
✔ Emphasis and Clarification: Repeated mention ingrains the message in hearts and ensures the point is clearly conveyed.
✔ Clarification of Various Aspects: In each context, a particular aspect of the story is highlighted to make it more impactful for the given situation.
Example: The story of Prophet Musa (علیہ السلام) and Pharaoh is mentioned in various places, sometimes emphasizing Allah’s power, and at other times highlighting the oppression of Bani Israel—each tailored to the context.
❀ Literary Benefits of Repetition in the Qur’an
✔ Strengthening Arguments: For example, in Surah Yusuf:
"رَأَيْتُهُمْ لِي سَاجِدِينَ"
is repeated twice to reinforce the message in the mind.
✔ Emphasis and Warning: In Surah Al-Muddathir:
"فَقُتِلَ كَيْفَ قَدَّرَ ثُمَّ قُتِلَ كَيْفَ قَدَّرَ"
these phrases are repeated to intensify the warning.
✔ Expression of Supplication and Humility: In Surah Al-Baqarah, the verse:
"رَبَّنَا لَا تُؤَاخِذْنَا إِن نَّسِينَا أَوْ أَخْطَأْنَا"
repeats the phrase
"رَبَّنَا"
to express humility.
✔ Expression of Regret and Lament: In Surah Al-Qiyamah:
"أَوْلَىٰ لَكَ فَأَوْلَىٰ"
repetition is used to express remorse and rebuke.
❀ Repetition in Pre-Islamic Poetry
Repetition was also a well-known style in the poetry of the Arabs of the Jahiliyyah.
Example: The poet ‘Ubayd ibn al-Abras says:
"هَلا سألت جموع كندة اذ تولوا أين أين"
(“Why don’t you ask the warriors of Kinda, where, where have they fled?”)
This style was used to add force to the speech and to shake the listener awake.
❀ Summary: Repetition in the Qur’an is Based on Wisdom
The repetition in the Qur’an is not without purpose; rather, it is employed:
① To make the message more impactful,
② To strengthen arguments,
③ To fortify beliefs,
④ And to provide a lesson to people.
The Qur’an is not a book of philosophy or a research paper; rather, it is a book of invitation and guidance, revealed in various stages. At each stage, instructions, commands, and admonitions were provided in accordance with the circumstances, so that the message would penetrate the hearts and beliefs and principles would be firmly established in the minds.
❀ Wisdom Behind Repetition
Through repetition, fundamental beliefs and essential messages were highlighted at every stage, leaving no room for debate or denial by the rejecters of truth, and so that the seekers of guidance would firmly grasp the message.
❀ Objections to the Qur’an: Ignorance or Prejudice?
Those unfamiliar with the Qur’an’s literary style and profound meanings consider this repetition to be pointless. Even Western orientalists have raised objections, such as in The New Encyclopaedia Britannica, which stated about the Qur’an:
“The Qur’an often seems to be arranged in a rambling fashion, and its sentences appear to have been included merely for the sake of sound harmony.”
(Vol. 15, 1977)
These objections, in fact, stem from prejudice and ignorance of the Qur’an’s natural style. In reality, every sentence of the Qur’an is perfectly harmonious with its context and filled with deep meanings.
❀ Examples of the Repetition Style
✿ Surah Ar-Rahman:
In this surah, the verse:
"فَبِأَيِّ آلَاءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ"
is repeated multiple times. At each instance, this verse points out new blessings and invites humans to reflect on Allah’s mercy.
✿ Surah Al-Mursalat:
The verse:
"وَيْلٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْمُكَذِّبِينَ"
is repeated ten times, to repeatedly warn the deniers of the truth of their impending fate.
✿ Surah Al-Qamar:
Two verses:
"فَكَيْفَ كَانَ عَذَابِي وَنُذُرِ"
and
"وَلَقَدْ يَسَّرْنَا الْقُرْآنَ لِلذِّكْرِ فَهَلْ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍ"
are repeated after the fate of each nation, serving as a warning for the reader to take heed.
❀ Repetition of the Stories of the Prophets
The stories of the Prophets (علیہم السلام) are narrated repeatedly in the Qur’an, each time in a different context. This repetition serves several purposes:
✔ Expression of Eloquence and Rhetoric: Each narration employs a unique style, vocabulary, and expression, showcasing the miraculous eloquence of the Qur’an.
✔ Emphasis and Clarification: Repeated mention ingrains the message in hearts and ensures the point is clearly conveyed.
✔ Clarification of Various Aspects: In each context, a particular aspect of the story is highlighted to make it more impactful for the given situation.
Example: The story of Prophet Musa (علیہ السلام) and Pharaoh is mentioned in various places, sometimes emphasizing Allah’s power, and at other times highlighting the oppression of Bani Israel—each tailored to the context.
❀ Literary Benefits of Repetition in the Qur’an
✔ Strengthening Arguments: For example, in Surah Yusuf:
"رَأَيْتُهُمْ لِي سَاجِدِينَ"
is repeated twice to reinforce the message in the mind.
✔ Emphasis and Warning: In Surah Al-Muddathir:
"فَقُتِلَ كَيْفَ قَدَّرَ ثُمَّ قُتِلَ كَيْفَ قَدَّرَ"
these phrases are repeated to intensify the warning.
✔ Expression of Supplication and Humility: In Surah Al-Baqarah, the verse:
"رَبَّنَا لَا تُؤَاخِذْنَا إِن نَّسِينَا أَوْ أَخْطَأْنَا"
repeats the phrase
"رَبَّنَا"
to express humility.
✔ Expression of Regret and Lament: In Surah Al-Qiyamah:
"أَوْلَىٰ لَكَ فَأَوْلَىٰ"
repetition is used to express remorse and rebuke.
❀ Repetition in Pre-Islamic Poetry
Repetition was also a well-known style in the poetry of the Arabs of the Jahiliyyah.
Example: The poet ‘Ubayd ibn al-Abras says:
"هَلا سألت جموع كندة اذ تولوا أين أين"
(“Why don’t you ask the warriors of Kinda, where, where have they fled?”)
This style was used to add force to the speech and to shake the listener awake.
❀ Summary: Repetition in the Qur’an is Based on Wisdom
The repetition in the Qur’an is not without purpose; rather, it is employed:
① To make the message more impactful,
② To strengthen arguments,
③ To fortify beliefs,
④ And to provide a lesson to people.
