Quranic Brevity — More Than One Meaning in the Fewest Words
balagha
Level: advanced
ijaz
blg-012
خُذِ ٱلۡعَفۡوَ وَأۡمُرۡ بِٱلۡعُرۡفِ وَأَعۡرِضۡ عَنِ ٱلۡجَٰهِلِينَ
— الأعراف 199
Highest degree of brevity: Qasr ijaz — expression carrying multiples of its apparent meaning.
Examples: "In retribution there is life for you" — four words resolving two opposing principles (individual justice / deterrence) into one idea. "Take the surplus, command the recognized good, and avoid the ignorant" (7:199) — complete social conduct method in three phrases. "They believe in the unseen" (2:3) — the entire method of faith in three words.
Rhetorical principle: "The best speech is what is brief and indicative" — the Quran is the pinnacle of this principle.
Source: Al-Jurjani (p.45); Al-Zarkashi (3/30)
Question: What does "take the surplus, command good, and avoid the ignorant" demonstrate about Quranic brevity?
Answer: Three phrases summarize a complete approach to three types of people: those who are pardoned, believers commanded to good, and the ignorant to be avoided.