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Parables
Surah: Al-Nahl (92)
Implicit Parables — What Is Inferred Without Explicit Statement
وَلَا تَكُونُواْ كَٱلَّتِي نَقَضَتۡ غَزۡلَهَا مِنۢ بَعۡدِ قُوَّةٍ
— النحل الآية 92
Definition of the implicit parable:
Speech that contains the meaning of a parable without explicitly using the word "mathal" — extracted from context or formed into a proverbial saying.
Difference from explicit parables:
Explicit: "The likeness of those who took..." — the comparison is declared. Implicit: The comparative meaning is hidden in the fabric of the verse, discovered by the reflective reader.
Quranic examples:
Al-Jurjani: "The implicit parable has a stronger impact — because the meaning reaches you through your own inferential power, making it more firmly established in your soul."
Speech that contains the meaning of a parable without explicitly using the word "mathal" — extracted from context or formed into a proverbial saying.
Difference from explicit parables:
Explicit: "The likeness of those who took..." — the comparison is declared. Implicit: The comparative meaning is hidden in the fabric of the verse, discovered by the reflective reader.
Quranic examples:
- "Do not be like she who unraveled her yarn." (16:92) — The woman who undoes her spinning is an implicit parable for breaking covenants — the vehicle (the woman) is present but the word "parable" is absent.
- "We offered the trust to the heavens and the earth." (33:72) — The trust as a body offered to giants who refuse — an implicit parable for the weight of obligation.
- "O people, a parable is struck — so listen to it." (22:73) — Introduces an explicit parable, yet the verse context contains an implicit portrait of the idols' incapacity.
Al-Jurjani: "The implicit parable has a stronger impact — because the meaning reaches you through your own inferential power, making it more firmly established in your soul."
Source: Al-Jurjani, Dala'il Al-I'jaz (p.96); Al-Zarkashi (1/487); Al-Suyuti (4/45)
Test Yourself
What is the difference between an explicit and implicit parable? Give a Quranic example for each.
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