Intermediate Rhetoric Surah: Al-Fatihah (5)

Definition:
Iltifat (shifting): a transition in style from one form to another — from first-person (I/We) to third-person (he/they), or from third to second, or vice versa — within a single context without apparent grammatical motivation.

Prominent example: Al-Fatihah:
"All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of the worlds" — third-person (He).
"You alone we worship and You alone we seek for help" — sudden shift to second-person (You)!

Rhetorical wisdom in Al-Fatihah: Mentioning Allah by His great attributes (third-person) stirred love and longing in the believer — so he transitions from speaking about Him to addressing Him directly — like one who praises a beloved, then longs and turns toward them.

Purposes of iltifat:

1. Arousing anticipation: The sudden shift renews the listener attention.
2. Honoring: Shifting from third to second person — direct address.
3. Evoking awe: "Until when you are in ships and they sail with them" (10:22) — shift from second to third depicts forgetfulness and heedlessness.
4. Gradual leading: Transitioning gradually from closeness to distance or vice versa.

Works on it: Ibn Abi al-Isba treated iltifat in "Badi al-Quran" and Al-Zarkashi in "Al-Burhan."

Source: Al-Zarkashi, Al-Burhan (3/314); Al-Suyuti, Al-Itqan (2/143); Ibn Abi al-Isba, Badi al-Quran (p.91)

Tags: الالتفاتالبلاغة القرآنيةعلوم القرآنالفاتحةالأسلوب