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Metaphor
Surah: Maryam (4)
The Head Has Blazed with White Hair — Metaphor of Fire for Whiteness
وَٱشۡتَعَلَ ٱلرَّأۡسُ شَيۡبٗا
— مريم الآية 4
Verse: "He said: My Lord, indeed my bones have weakened and my head has blazed with white hair." (19:4)
The creative metaphor: "Blazing" (of fire) borrowed for "white hair" — as if white hair is a fire that blazed in the head and spread. The metaphor combines spreading + speed + abundance in one word.
Al-Jurjani said: "If it had said 'the head went very white' it would not convey what 'blazed' conveys of spreading, encompassing, and indicating abundance."
The creative metaphor: "Blazing" (of fire) borrowed for "white hair" — as if white hair is a fire that blazed in the head and spread. The metaphor combines spreading + speed + abundance in one word.
Al-Jurjani said: "If it had said 'the head went very white' it would not convey what 'blazed' conveys of spreading, encompassing, and indicating abundance."
Source: Al-Jurjani (p.88); Al-Zarkashi (3/405)
Test Yourself
Why is "the head blazed white" more eloquent than "the head turned white"?
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