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Extended Antithesis — "As for Him Who Gives, Is Pious, and Affirms the Good" with Its Opposite

balagha Level: advanced muqabala blg-080
فَأَمَّا مَنۡ أَعۡطَىٰ وَٱتَّقَىٰ وَصَدَّقَ بِٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰ فَسَنُيَسِّرُهُۥ لِلۡيُسۡرَىٰ
— الليل 5
Definition of extended antithesis:
Basic antithesis: two meanings opposite their two counterparts. Extended: three or more meanings opposite their counterparts — the highest rank of rhetorical antithesis.

The verses:
"As for him who gives, and is pious, and affirms the good — We will ease him toward ease."
"And as for him who withholds, considers himself self-sufficient, and denies the good — We will ease him toward hardship." (92:5-10)

Rhetorical structure:
First groupSecond group
GivesWithholds
Is piousConsiders himself self-sufficient
Affirms the goodDenies the good
Ease (result)Hardship (result)

Multi-layered rhetorical effects:
  • Three against three plus result against result — the highest degree of antithesis
  • "Al-yusra" and "al-usra" — partial paronomasia in the result confirming the cosmic balance between the two paths
  • "Fasanuyassiruh" — the causal fa plus sa plus the verb of easing: an automatic inevitable sequence, not arbitrary
  • The triple description "gives, is pious, and affirms" conveys that the reward is built on an integrated system, not a single act
Al-Jurjani: "Extended antithesis is among the highest degrees of eloquence because it builds two opposing worlds simultaneously — as if you are in a mirror showing your face and its opposite at once."
Source: Al-Jurjani (p.237); Al-Zarkashi (3/359); Al-Jarim and Al-Amin (p.285)
Question: What are the levels of antithesis in Al-Layl verses 5-10? What paronomasia exists in the two results?
Answer: Three against three (gives/withholds — pious/self-sufficient — affirms/denies) plus result against result (ease/hardship). Partial paronomasia: al-yusra / al-usra.
Printed from quran.zayenha.com — 6/13/2026