Topic: Repetition In
View Aspects
وَلَقَدْ صَرَّفْنَا فِى هَٰذَا ٱلْقُرْءَانِ لِيَذَّكَّرُوا۟ وَمَا يَزِيدُهُمْ إِلَّا نُفُورًا
17:90; 18:55.
17:90; 18:55.
For a revealed Book which has to deal with all matters of importance it is but natural and even necessary that it should revert, time and again, to the relevant points which bear on the main theme. When repetition is intended to throw light upon a matter from a new angle or to refute a new objection, no sane and intelligent person can take objection to it.
17:90; 18:55.
Important Words:
صرفنا (We have explained the truth in various ways). صرف(Sarrafa) is the intensified form of صرف (Sarafa). صرفه means, he turned, sent or put him away or back from his way or course. صرف الشیء (Sarrafa) means, he employed the thing in more than one way. صرف الکلام means, he derived one part of the speech from another. تصریف is the turning from one state or condition to another or from one direction or course or way to another. تصریف الایات signifies the varying of the Quranic verses by repeating them in different forms (Lane & Aqrab).
Commentary:
The objection is generally raised against the Quran that it unnecessarily repeats its subjects. This objection has been answered in this verse. According to the two meanings of the word صرفنا given under Important Words, the verse would mean, (a) that the Quran refutes all possible objections raised against its principles and teachings and (b) that it discusses all important subjects from all conceivable points of view. For a book which has to deal exhaustively with all questions of importance it is quite natural and even necessary that it should revert, time and again, to the relevant points which bear on the main theme. No reasonable person can call this repetition. Repetition is objectionable only when it serves no useful purpose, but when it is intended to throw light upon a question from a new angle of vision or to refute a new objection no sane and intelligent person can object to it.
f
17:90; 18:55.
b
17:90; 18:55.
1971
Important Words:
صرفنا (We have explained the truth in various ways). صرف(Sarrafa) is the intensified form of صرف (Sarafa). صرفه means, he turned, sent or put him away or back from his way or course. صرف الشیء (Sarrafa) means, he employed the thing in more than one way. صرف الکلام means, he derived one part of the speech from another. تصریف is the turning from one state or condition to another or from one direction or course or way to another. تصریف الایات signifies the varying of the Quranic verses by repeating them in different forms (Lane & Aqrab).
Commentary:
The objection is generally raised against the Quran that it unnecessarily repeats its subjects. This objection has been answered in this verse. According to the two meanings of the word صرفنا given under Important Words, the verse would mean, (a) that the Quran refutes all possible objections raised against its principles and teachings and (b) that it discusses all important subjects from all conceivable points of view. For a book which has to deal exhaustively with all questions of importance it is quite natural and even necessary that it should revert, time and again, to the relevant points which bear on the main theme. No reasonable person can call this repetition. Repetition is objectionable only when it serves no useful purpose, but when it is intended to throw light upon a question from a new angle of vision or to refute a new objection no sane and intelligent person can object to it.
c
17:90; 18:55.
1621
For a revealed Book which has to deal with all matters of importance it is but natural and even necessary that it should revert, time and again, to the relevant points which bear on the main theme. When repetition is intended to throw light upon a matter from a new angle or to refute a new objection, no sane and intelligent person can take objection to it.
وَلَقَدْ أَهْلَكْنَا مَا حَوْلَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْقُرَىٰ وَصَرَّفْنَا ٱلْءَايَٰتِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ
The peoples of ‘Ad and Tubba‘ held sway over vast territories in the south of Arabia; and the tribe of Thamud lived in its north-west, and on the shores of the Dead Sea were situated the towns of Sodom and Gomorrah. The destruction of these places constituted an eye opener for the Meccans. The words, 'round about you' may also signify the whole world.
The Qur’an reverts again and again to the fundamental problems of faith, morals and other kindred subjects, and deals with them from different angles and points of view in order to satisfy doubts and misgivings of men of varied attitudes, mental make-ups and outlooks on life. People of shallow thinking and prejudiced minds may call it a repetition, but in fact it is the right approach to different human problems.
Commentary:
The reference in the words "We did destroy townships round about you" is to the destruction of the once very powerful and prosperous people of ‘Ad and of Tubba’ who held sway over vast territories in the south of Arabia. To the northwest, the complete ruin of the Thamud tribe held out a severe warning and on the shores of the Dead Sea were situated the towns of Sodom and Gomorrah which were turned upside down on account of the vice indulged in by them. The destruction of all these places constituted an eye-opener to the Meccans. If they did not eschew their evil ways and continued to reject the Divine Message, they would meet with no better fate. As the Quran, the final Law for all mankind, was revealed at Mecca, the words, ما حولکم من القریٰ may also signify the whole world.
The Quran reverts again and again to the fundamental problems of faith, morals and other kindred subjects, and deals with them from different angles and points of view in order to satisfy doubts and misgivings of men of varied attitudes, mental make-up or outlook on life. People of shallow thinking and prejudiced minds may call it a repetition, but in fact it is the right approach to different human problems.
3781
Commentary:
The reference in the words "We did destroy townships round about you" is to the destruction of the once very powerful and prosperous people of ‘Ad and of Tubba’ who held sway over vast territories in the south of Arabia. To the northwest, the complete ruin of the Thamud tribe held out a severe warning and on the shores of the Dead Sea were situated the towns of Sodom and Gomorrah which were turned upside down on account of the vice indulged in by them. The destruction of all these places constituted an eye-opener to the Meccans. If they did not eschew their evil ways and continued to reject the Divine Message, they would meet with no better fate. As the Quran, the final Law for all mankind, was revealed at Mecca, the words, ما حولکم من القریٰ may also signify the whole world.
The Quran reverts again and again to the fundamental problems of faith, morals and other kindred subjects, and deals with them from different angles and points of view in order to satisfy doubts and misgivings of men of varied attitudes, mental make-up or outlook on life. People of shallow thinking and prejudiced minds may call it a repetition, but in fact it is the right approach to different human problems.
2731
The peoples of ‘Ad and Tubba‘ held sway over vast territories in the south of Arabia; and the tribe of Thamud lived in its north-west, and on the shores of the Dead Sea were situated the towns of Sodom and Gomorrah. The destruction of these places constituted an eye opener for the Meccans. The words, 'round about you' may also signify the whole world.
2732
The Qur’an reverts again and again to the fundamental problems of faith, morals and other kindred subjects, and deals with them from different angles and points of view in order to satisfy doubts and misgivings of men of varied attitudes, mental make-ups and outlooks on life. People of shallow thinking and prejudiced minds may call it a repetition, but in fact it is the right approach to different human problems.