Isharat al-I'jaz | Verse 2: In Praise of the Qur'an | 42
(42-47)

Verse 2

Consider this: one of the principles of eloquence that beautifies speech making it sparkle is that all the sentences and words respond to each other and evoke each other while looking to the underlying aim. Thus, to the extent of its power each strengthens the aim, which is like the confluence of rivers or a pool fed from all sides, confirming and illustrating the saying:

Our phrases are diverse but your beauty is one

And each of us points to that loveliness.

Consider, for example, the verse "But if a breath of your Sustainer's punishment touches them" (21:46) it frightens by alluding to a small amount of punishment, like two negatives making a positive. It points out the terrible-ness of the punishment by showing the severity of the least amount.

Don't you see how the word "if (wa la'in)" signifies doubt, and doubt looks to littleness or fewness; and the word "touches (massa)" means to touch lightly and expresses a small amount; and the word "a breath (nafha)" is merely a whiff and is in the singular form, which express littleness or fewness, as does the tanwin indicating indefinitenes; and the partitive "of (min)" signifies division or a part; it means a bit and indicates paucity; and the word "punishment (adhâb)" points to a light sort of punishment rather than chastisement (nakâl), and suggests a small amount; and by alluding to compassion, the word "Lord and Sustainer (Rabb)" indicates littleness or fewness?

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Isharat al-I'jaz