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Antithetical Parallelism
Surah: Al-Layl (5)
Al-Muqabala — Extended Antithesis Across Sentences
فَأَمَّا مَنۡ أَعۡطَىٰ وَٱتَّقَىٰ وَصَدَّقَ بِٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰ فَسَنُيَسِّرُهُۥ لِلۡيُسۡرَىٰ
— الليل الآية 5
Definition: Two or more things mentioned then each is paired with its opposite in order.
Beautiful Quranic example: "As for one who gives and fears Allah and affirms the best — We will ease him toward ease. As for one who withholds and considers himself self-sufficient and denies the best — We will ease him toward difficulty." (92:5-10)
Three things vs. three opposites: gives/withholds, fears/self-sufficient, affirms/denies — then two opposite outcomes: ease/difficulty.
Rhetorical effect: Places both images in direct confrontation — the listener automatically compares and perceives the vast difference.
Beautiful Quranic example: "As for one who gives and fears Allah and affirms the best — We will ease him toward ease. As for one who withholds and considers himself self-sufficient and denies the best — We will ease him toward difficulty." (92:5-10)
Three things vs. three opposites: gives/withholds, fears/self-sufficient, affirms/denies — then two opposite outcomes: ease/difficulty.
Rhetorical effect: Places both images in direct confrontation — the listener automatically compares and perceives the vast difference.
Source: Al-Zarkashi (3/441); Al-Zamakhshari (4/758)
Test Yourself
What is the difference between tibaq (antithesis) and muqabala?
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