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Ilm al-Badi'
Surah: Al-Rahman (13)
Quranic Badi' — Internal Music and the Beauty of the Fasila
فَبِأَيِّ ءَالَآءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ
— الرحمن الآية 13
What is Badi'?
Badi': the science of verbal and semantic embellishment — enhancements that add sonic and intellectual beauty without being the goal. In the Quran, badi' follows meaning rather than controlling it — this is itself part of its inimitability.
The Quranic fasila:
The fasila: the end of each verse — resembles rhyme in poetry but differs in that it does not constrain meaning. Sound serves meaning. Example: Surah Al-Rahman's verses all end in "an" (ni, tukadhibani) — this melody reinforces the single repeated meaning.
Internal music:
Not just the fasila — but the harmony of letters, their articulation points, and their transitions: "Fa-sda' bima tu'mar" (15:94) — the sounds of dal, 'ayn, and ra' embody the sharpness and firmness of proclamation. "Wa-wajadaka dallan fa-hada" (93:7) — repeated waw and the sound's journey from being lost to guidance.
Badi': the science of verbal and semantic embellishment — enhancements that add sonic and intellectual beauty without being the goal. In the Quran, badi' follows meaning rather than controlling it — this is itself part of its inimitability.
The Quranic fasila:
The fasila: the end of each verse — resembles rhyme in poetry but differs in that it does not constrain meaning. Sound serves meaning. Example: Surah Al-Rahman's verses all end in "an" (ni, tukadhibani) — this melody reinforces the single repeated meaning.
Internal music:
Not just the fasila — but the harmony of letters, their articulation points, and their transitions: "Fa-sda' bima tu'mar" (15:94) — the sounds of dal, 'ayn, and ra' embody the sharpness and firmness of proclamation. "Wa-wajadaka dallan fa-hada" (93:7) — repeated waw and the sound's journey from being lost to guidance.
Source: Al-Zarkashi (3/455); Al-Suyuti (3/285); Al-Jurjani (p.305)
Test Yourself
How does badi' in the Quran differ from badi' in Arabic poetry?
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