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Linguistic Subtleties
Surah: Al-Fatiha (5)
Iltifat (Rhetorical Shift) — Definition, Types, and Benefits
ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ إِيَّاكَ نَعۡبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسۡتَعِينُ
— الفاتحة الآية 5
Definition:
Iltifat is the shift from one grammatical person to another — from first to third person, or from third to second, etc. — within a single discourse for a rhetorical purpose.
Main Types:
Iltifat is the shift from one grammatical person to another — from first to third person, or from third to second, etc. — within a single discourse for a rhetorical purpose.
Main Types:
- From Absent to Addressed: "Praise be to Allah, Lord of all worlds" — then "You alone we worship" — a shift from speaking about Allah to direct address.
- From Speaker to Absent: For veneration or awe.
- From Plural to Singular: To personalize the address and emphasize individual responsibility.
- Activates the reader's mind and prevents monotony.
- Expresses shifting psychological and emotional states.
- Focuses on the most important meaning at each point.
Source: Al-Zarkashi, Al-Burhan (3/315); Al-Suyuti, Al-Itqan (2/323); Al-Jurjani, Dala'il al-Ijaz
Test Yourself
What is the rhetorical Iltifat in Al-Fatiha, and what is its benefit?
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