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September 13, 2024
Have you ever wondered why the word “Ayah” was used for verses in the Quran or why certain words were used as nouns while other as verbs? Or even why Allah refers to Himself as “We” at times in the Quran?
The Quran isn’t just spiritually profound; it’s a masterpiece in its very language. Every word is intentional, and each one opens up a new level of understanding. It’s these hidden gems that often leave us in awe, realizing that the beauty of the Quran is beyond what we imagined.
In this blog, we’ll dive into 5 examples of these linguistic miracles, showing just how unique and divine the Quran’s eloquence truly is. These insights are from the ‘Divine Speech‘ series, now available for free on Bayyinah TV.
The word “Ayah” in Arabic, originating from the letters Hamza, Ya and Ta, goes beyond the simple translation of “verse” and encompasses multiple dimensions. See, the Quran itself is composed of Ayaat, and these aren’t limited to just words on a page but also to elements of existence such as events, people and natural phenomena, all considered signs from Allah.
From a linguistic perspective, Ayah signifies value, curiosity, direction, amazement, attention, certainty, meaning, intention and sign, indicating its multifaceted nature. So just translating it as ‘verse’ really doesn’t do it justice. That’s why when we understand what ‘Ayah’ really means, it not only deepens our connection with the Quran but changes how we see the world around us.
In the Quran, Allah speaks in a majestic plural, using “We/Us/Our” to convey His singular authority. This plural does not signify actual number—the Quran is crystal clear that Allah is One—so, why the plural? It’s a way to emphasize His authority and grandeur. This choice of pronoun, common in royal language, emphasizes Allah’s grandeur and sovereignty.
What’s incredible is how the Quran sometimes shifts between plural, singular, or even third-person pronouns—all of it deliberate, strengthening the Quran’s rhetorical impact.
This linguistic wonder shows the beauty of Allah’s divine speech, inviting us to ponder the precision in His chosen words.
In the Quran, the choice between verb and noun forms is not merely a linguistic nuance but a profound reflection of the text’s depth and precision. Consider the following verse:
وَإِذَا لَقُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ قَالُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا وَإِذَا خَلَوْا۟ إِلَىٰ شَيَـٰطِينِهِمْ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا مَعَكُمْ إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ مُسْتَهْزِءُونَ
When they meet the believers they say, “We believe.” But when alone with their evil associates they say, “We are definitely with you; we were only mocking.” [2:14]
where Allah describes a group of people who, on the outside, claim they believe, but on the inside, they’re holding on to disbelief. When they’re around believers, they say, “We believe,” but the form of the verb in the Quran shows that it’s not a deep, lasting conviction—it’s just a temporary statement. Then, when they’re in private or among their own, their real selves come out, and they say, “We’re just making fun of them.” This time, the word “mocking” appears as a noun.
That shift is huge. In Arabic, moving from a verb to a noun is not just about grammar; it’s about permanence. By using the noun here, the Quran is telling us that this attitude of mocking and disbelief is not something passing for them—it’s become a part of who they are. This is how precise and powerful the Quran’s language is. Every word choice carries deep meaning and reveals the reality of their hearts.
One remarkable linguistic miracle of the Quran is its precise use of words that seem synonymous in Classical Arabic but are uniquely distinguished in the Quran. Take “eyes” vs. “springs” as an example.
The word ‘ayn, which means “eye” and also “spring of water” in Classical Arabic. The plurals a’yun and ‘uyun can both mean “eyes” or “springs of water.” However, the Quran differentiates them with specific usage:
This precise distinction, maintained throughout the Quran, highlights its depth and consistency. Revealed over 23 years on various occasions, the Quran’s coherence is a testament to its divine origin:
أَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ ۚ وَلَوْ كَانَ مِنْ عِندِ غَيْرِ ٱللَّهِ لَوَجَدُوا۟ فِيهِ ٱخْتِلَـٰفًۭا كَثِيرًۭا
“Do they not reflect upon the Quran? If it had been from [any] other than Allah, they would have found within it much contradiction.” [4:82]
Every word choice in the Quran is deliberate, and that’s what makes its language so miraculous—it’s incredibly precise, yet deeply profound.”
One of the Quran’s linguistic miracles is the order of divine attributes. In everyday speech, we often list qualities without much thought to their sequence. For instance, a teacher might describe a student as “intelligent, inquisitive and hardworking.” If the order were reversed to “hardworking, intelligent and inquisitive,” we would likely see no significant difference.
The Quran’s order is precise and meaningful. For instance, “Forgiving” (Ghafur) almost always precedes “Merciful” (Raheem) in the Quran, aligning with the principle that “averting harm comes before securing benefit.”
However, there is an exception in Surah Saba [34:2]:
يَعْلَمُ مَا يَلِجُ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا يَخْرُجُ مِنْهَا وَمَا يَنزِلُ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَمَا يَعْرُجُ فِيهَا ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلرَّحِيمُ ٱلْغَفُورُ
He knows whatever goes into the earth and whatever comes out of it, and whatever descends from the sky and whatever ascends into it. And He is the Most Merciful, All-Forgiving.
In this verse, you’ll notice something subtle but powerful: mercy comes before forgiveness. And that’s not random—it’s perfectly suited to the context. The verse is talking about natural cycles—rain, vegetation, life, and death. When someone is facing death, what do they yearn for? They seek Allah’s mercy, hoping for relief in that moment of transition. But when they’re resurrected, what do they need most? Forgiveness for their deeds.
This specific order—mercy before forgiveness—is no accident. It’s a reflection of the Quran’s eloquence and the deliberate way it communicates. Every choice, even down to the sequence of words, is intentional. This is part of what makes the Quran a linguistic miracle—its precision isn’t just beautiful, it’s deeply meaningful.
The Quran’s linguistic intricacies are truly a testament to its divine origin. Every word choice, structural decision and rhetorical device in the Quran serves a purpose, deepening our connection to the text. The examples we’ve explored here are just a glimpse into the countless literary gems within the Quran.
If you found these insights fascinating and want to delve deeper into the miraculous nature of the Quran’s language, we invite you to sign up for Bayyinah TV for free. By doing so, you can access the full Divine Speech series, where Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan unveils more literary marvels and the profound eloquence of the Quran.
Sign up now and start your journey of discovering the Quran’s linguistic miracles!
At Bayyinah, we are dedicated to helping you connect directly with the words of Allah beyond translation. Founded by Ustadh Nouman Ali Khan, our mission is to create transformative experiences that deepen your understanding and engagement with the Quran.
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