Intermediate
I'jaz
Surah: Al-Rum (2)
Inimitability of the Unseen — Three Types and Examples
غُلِبَتِ ٱلرُّومُ فِيٓ أَدۡنَى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَهُم مِّنۢ بَعۡدِ غَلَبِهِمۡ سَيَغۡلِبُونَ
— الروم الآية 2
Definition:
Inimitability of the Unseen is the Quran's disclosure of matters unknown to any human except by revelation — some fulfilled during the revelation period, some afterward, and some yet to occur.
Three Types:
Inimitability of the Unseen is the Quran's disclosure of matters unknown to any human except by revelation — some fulfilled during the revelation period, some afterward, and some yet to occur.
Three Types:
- Past Unseen: Stories of prophets and prior nations the Prophet had never witnessed — "That is from the news of the unseen which We reveal to you."
- Near Future Unseen: The prophecy that Rome would defeat Persia within a few years after its defeat — which came true exactly.
- Distant Future Unseen: The spread of Islam, signs of the Hour, and the Resurrection.
Source: Al-Suyuti, Al-Itqan (2/353); Al-Zarkashi, Al-Burhan (2/92); Ibn Kathir, Tafsir (6/309)
Test Yourself
Name the three types of inimitability of the unseen, and give an example of the second type.
Show Answer