Isharat al-I'jaz | Verse 8: The Dissemblers | 94
(90-94)

• If you were to ask: What is the subtlety in [the preposition] "bâ"' of " (bi-mu'minîn)" being used in the predicate of the negating particle "mâ"!

You would be told: It indicates their lack of ability to believe even if they [appear to] believe outwardly. It is the difference between "ma Zayd sakhîyan (Zayd is not generous)," and "mâ Zayd bi-sakhîyin" the first refers to his capricious character, its meaning is Zayd is not actually being generous although he has the ability and is a generous person. While the second means, Zayd does not have the capacity to be magnanimous and is not a generous person, although he does good works.

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Isharat al-I'jaz