Intermediate
Rhetoric
Surah: Ali Imran (103)
Simile, Metaphor, and Metonymy in the Quran
وَٱعۡتَصِمُواْ بِحَبۡلِ ٱللَّهِ جَمِيعٗا
— آل عمران الآية 103
Simile (tashbih): Comparison with particle — "Their example is like one who kindles a fire" (2:17).
Metaphor (isti'ara): Without particle — "Hold fast to Allah's rope" (religion given the metaphor of rope).
Metonymy (kinaya): Non-literal meaning by implication — "Do not make your hand chained to your neck" = do not be miserly.
Why? Abstract concepts (faith, misguidance) are hard to grasp abstractly — images embody them tangibly for everyone.
Metaphor (isti'ara): Without particle — "Hold fast to Allah's rope" (religion given the metaphor of rope).
Metonymy (kinaya): Non-literal meaning by implication — "Do not make your hand chained to your neck" = do not be miserly.
Why? Abstract concepts (faith, misguidance) are hard to grasp abstractly — images embody them tangibly for everyone.
Source: Al-Zarkashi (3/411); Al-Jurjani
Test Yourself
What is the difference between simile and metaphor?
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