Intermediate
Non-declarative
Surah: Nuh (13)
Interrogative for Wonder — "Why Do You Not Fear Allah's Majesty?"
Definition:
Interrogative for wonder (istifham ta'ajjub): expresses astonishment and deep disapproval — not seeking an answer, but depicting the condemned matter as so extraordinary that only the form of wonder can contain it.
Quranic example: "What is the matter with you that you do not attribute to Allah the greatness due to Him?" (Surah 71:13)
The beauty:
Noah draws his people into their own self-questioning: what has come over you that you abandoned something so obvious — venerating your Creator? "Ma lakum" implies: what ailment has struck you to make you leave this self-evident duty?
Interrogative for wonder (istifham ta'ajjub): expresses astonishment and deep disapproval — not seeking an answer, but depicting the condemned matter as so extraordinary that only the form of wonder can contain it.
Quranic example: "What is the matter with you that you do not attribute to Allah the greatness due to Him?" (Surah 71:13)
The beauty:
Noah draws his people into their own self-questioning: what has come over you that you abandoned something so obvious — venerating your Creator? "Ma lakum" implies: what ailment has struck you to make you leave this self-evident duty?
Source: Al-Balagha Al-Wadiha (p.155); Ibn Kathir (8/230)
Test Yourself
What is the difference between a genuine question and a rhetorical interrogative of wonder?
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