Iltifat — The Sudden Style Shift
terms
Level: advanced
rhetorical
trm-009
إِيَّاكَ نَعۡبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسۡتَعِينُ
— الفاتحة 5
Definition: Shifting from one style to another in speech — third person to second person, or vice versa.
Example in Al-Fatiha: Begins with "Praise to Allah" (third person) then suddenly shifts to "You alone we worship" (direct address).
Wisdom: Renews attention, breaks monotony — suggests that preceding praise earned the right of direct intimate conversation.
Source: Al-Zarkashi (3/295); Al-Suyuti (3/228)
Question: What is the iltifat in Al-Fatiha and its wisdom?
Answer: Shift from third-person "Praise to Allah" to direct "You alone we worship" — wisdom: praise earned the right of direct intimate address.