Author: Mufti Noor Mohammad Mohibi
The Quran; A Miracle Beyond Time – A Study of Its Miraculous Nature (Part 9)
Dimensions of the Qur’an’s Rhetorical Miracle
(The Miracle in Eloquence, Rhetoric, and the Unique Style of Revelation)
The Qur’an was revealed in the Arabic language, at a time when the Arabs of the pre-Islamic era were pioneers in the arts of poetry and oratory. Yet, upon hearing the Qur’an, they were struck with awe, rendered incapable of countering it, and none could produce anything like it. One of the miraculous aspects of the Qur’an is its rhetorical miracle (Ijaz Bayani), which manifests in four main dimensions:
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The miracle in eloquence;
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The miracle in rhetoric;
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The miracle in style.
In this section, we will examine each of these dimensions in detail to demonstrate how the Qur’an, in the realm of language and expression, transcends human capability.
Eloquence (Fasahah) of the Noble Qur’an
Definition of Eloquence
In linguistics, fasahah (eloquence) means clarity, lucidity, and freedom from obscurity and unpleasantness in wording.
In literary terminology, eloquence is divided into three categories:
a. Eloquence of a word
Eloquence of a word (singular) is defined as the absence of:
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Tanafur al-huruf (disharmony of sounds),
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Unfamiliarity (strangeness to the audience), and
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Contradiction to linguistic analogy. [1]
b. Eloquence (Fasaha) of speech
Eloquence of speech is the absence of:
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weakness in structure,
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disharmony of words, and
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unnecessary complexity,
combined with the eloquence of its individual words. [2]
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Eloquence of the speaker
Eloquence of the speaker refers to the innate ability by which a person can express their intended meaning using eloquent words and phrases. [3]
Eloquence in the Qur’an
The Qur’an is at the pinnacle of eloquence. Its words are at once simple and profound; its sentence structures vary in perfect harmony with the topics addressed; and all the components of its verses are arranged in an extraordinary order.
For example, in Surah al-Kawthar, in only three short verses, vast and comprehensive messages are conveyed: (إِنَّا أَعْطَيْنَاكَ الْكَوْثَرَ﴾ ﴿١﴾ ﴿فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَانْحَرْ﴾ ﴿٢﴾ ﴿إِنَّ شَانِئَكَ هُوَ الْأَبْتَرُ﴾ ﴿٣) Translation: “Indeed, We have granted you al-Kawthar. So pray to your Lord and sacrifice [to Him alone]. Indeed, your enemy is the one cut off.”
Dimensions of Qur’anic Eloquence
a. Eloquence in words
The Qur’an uses words familiar to the Arabs of the early Islamic period, yet they are chosen with utmost precision to convey profound meanings. The detailed analysis of this aspect has been discussed under “The Miracle in the Selection and Use of Words.”
b. Eloquence in sentence construction
The Qur’an’s syntactic structures are harmonious, melodious, and rich in meaning, without disturbing complexity or ambiguity. For instance: (وَالضُّحَىٰ، وَاللَّيْلِ إِذَا سَجَىٰ) [Surah Ad-Duha: 1–2] Translation: “By the morning brightness, and by the night when it grows still.”
These few words convey a deep emotional and visual sense with remarkable clarity.
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Eloquence in expressive style
The Qur’an employs a unique style—neither poetry nor prose—yet it is harmonious and impactful. This special style doubles the power of meaning and emotional conveyance, as will be discussed in detail later, Insha’Allah.
Characteristics of Eloquence in the Qur’an
The Qur’an’s eloquence is unparalleled for several reasons:
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Clarity and transparency of expression: Concepts are conveyed in the simplest and smoothest way, free from unnecessary complexity.
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Purity from unpleasant tones or dialectal flaws: There is no verbal or semantic distortion in any part of the Qur’an.
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Syntactic and semantic harmony: The combination of words and sentences in the Qur’an is such that no contradiction or flaw can be found.
In brief, the Qur’an is unique and miraculous in its eloquence. [4]
An Example of Qur’anic Eloquence
Surah Ad-Duha begins with short and fluid sentences: (وَالضُّحَىٰ، وَاللَّيْلِ إِذَا سَجَىٰ) [Surah Ad-Duha: 1–2] Translation: “By the morning brightness, and by the night when it grows still.”
These verses, with very simple and smooth words, convey a clear meaning—one of the hallmarks of eloquence.
Summary
The Qur’an is the complete and perfect model of the Arabic language, unmatched in eloquence. Its eloquence is one of its distinguished characteristics, and the language of the Qur’an is the standard for measuring eloquence.
Many Arab literary masters—including Ibn Qutaybah, Sibawayh, Al-Zamakhshari, and Abdul Qahir al-Jurjani—have provided extensive analyses on this matter.
The Literary Inimitability of the Qur’an
The Qur’an declares itself to be inimitable: (فَأْتُوا بِسُورَةٍ مِّن مِّثْلِهِ…) [Surah Yunus: 38] Translation: “Then produce a surah like it…”
This challenge (tahaddi) has remained unanswered from the time of revelation until today, signifying the Qur’an’s unmatched position in eloquence, as discussed in detail earlier.
Continues…
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References:
[1] Al-Īḍāḥ fī ʿUlūm al-Balāghah 1/21: “As for the eloquence of a single word, it is its freedom from the harsh combination of letters, obscurity, and violation of linguistic norms.”
[2] Al-Īḍāḥ fī ʿUlūm al-Balāghah 1/28: “The eloquence of speech is its freedom from weak composition, harsh combination of words, and complexity — while the individual words themselves are eloquent.”
[3] Al-Īḍāḥ fī ʿUlūm al-Balāghah 1/40: “It is a faculty by which one is able to express the intended meaning in eloquent wording.”
[4] Tafsīr al-Rāzī (Mafātīḥ al-Ghayb or al-Tafsīr al-Kabīr) 2/348: “Whoever reflects upon our book on the proofs of inimitability will realize that the Qur’an has reached the utmost degree of eloquence in all its aspects.”
