Intermediate Rhetoric Surah: Al-Fatihah (2)

Definite and indefinite in Arabic: The definite article "al" indicates totality and comprehensiveness — the indefinite refers to an unspecified individual instance of the category.

"Al-Hamdu lillah" — rhetorical analysis: "All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds" (Al-Fatihah 1:2)

• The comprehensive "al": Every instance and type of praise — past, present, and future — belongs to Allah. If it said "hamdun lillah" (a praise for Allah) it would be a single unspecified praise.
• Predicate "lillah": Fronting the predicate indicates exclusivity — complete praise belongs exclusively to Allah, shared by none.

Other examples of the effect of the definite article:

• "Patience is beautiful" (12:18) — all patience is beautiful, not a specific instance.
• "Indeed humankind was created anxious" (70:19) — the entire species, not an individual.

Indefinite for magnification or belittlement: "In an elevated garden" (88:10) — indefinite for magnification — a garden of indescribable greatness. "A roaring wind" (54:19) — indefinite for dread — a wind of terrifying character.

Source: Al-Zamakhshari, Al-Kashshaf (1/10); Al-Baydawi, Tafsir (1/6); Al-Zarkashi, Al-Burhan (2/321); Ibn Ashur, Al-Tahrir (1/159)

Tags: التعريف والتنكيرالبلاغةالفاتحةالحمدعلوم القرآن