LANGUAGE OF QURAN Introduction: The Holy Quran has been revealed in Arabic language.

At the time of revelation of Quran, there were hundreds of dialects of Arabic. But the Quran was revealed inQureshi dialect. It is a wellknown fact that the Qureshi dialect is superior to its style,structure and morphology. Our Holy prophet (PBUH) said: "I am the most lucid man of the Arab as I am Qureshi and has been brought up inBani Saad." "Seven Letters of Quran" Quran has been revealed on seven letters but it is still a myth that what these sevenexactly meant. Our Holy Prophet ( PBUH) said"Ina hazal quran-al-qurana unzila ala sabate ahrufin"There are many opinions as to be interpretation of this Hadith. Allama Bin Arabi(RH) has quoted 35 opinions. Some famous opinions are as under. First Opinion According to Hafiz Ibne Jarir Tibri (RH) and some other scholars, Quran has beenrevealed in the seven grammars in Arabic Language. As there were many tribes in te Arab and each tribe had its own dialect and grammars so it was very difficult forthem to pronounce the Quran. So Holy Prophet (PBUH) ordered the holy Quran to be pronounced on seven grammars of the different Arab tribes. Imam Hatim (RH)has even counted the ribes e.g. Quresh, Huzail, Tim-ur-Rubab, Azd, Rabia, Hawazan,Saad bin bakr. Some other scholars have also added Banu Kanaya, Banu Qais, BanuZabba. Criticism on First Opinion: Allama Tuhari (R.A.) favours this second opinion. According to him, Holy Prophet(PBUH) divided the Arabic Peninsula in seven different regions. The act of Holy Prophet (PBUH) was aimed at facilitating the people. Holy Prophet (PBUH) specified Mradifat for each tribe. "Tirmizi Sharif has quoted incident ab out the Holy Prophet(PBUH) that Holy Prophet (PBUH) as the Jibrail that i have been sent to an illiterateUmmah, which also has Sck old man, old women and kids, who have difficulty inpronouncing the Quran due to their specific dialect. Then Jibrail (A.S.) requestedhim (PBUH) to order the people to pronounce the Quran on seven letter. However, this practice was banned in the last period of Hazrat Muhammad(PBUH) and in the last era. The Holy Quran was repeated only in Qureshi accent andgrammar. Meaning of Writing on Qureshi Grammar: Till the Hazrat Usman (RA)' s era, Quran was written in several letters but due to theconflicts and quarrels among the peoples of the different regions over the Qiraat.Hazrat Usman (R.A) set up a committee, headed by Hazrat Zai-bin-Thabit (R.A).Hazrat Usman (R.A) advised that committee in the following words, If the difference of opinion may arose between you and Zaid, you should write according to Hazrat Zaid's opinion because he is a Qureshi and Quran has beenrevealed in Qureshi language. After the completion of committee's work, all other copies of Quran ( written in otherdialect) were burnt. According to a scholar, the only difference of opinion arose between Hazrat Zaid (R.A) and others was regarding tabut, which was written as Altabut because it was accrding to the Qureshi dialect. Narrative Style of Quran

Introduction: The Quranic style is said to be the best narrative style in the world. It has no match asthe style is very lucid, fluent, meaningful and comprehendable. Literary Challenge of Quran: The Quran proudly challenges the whole world. So far, no one (neither modernlinguistics nor proud Arabs) could accept the challenge of Quran. Distinctive qualities of Quranic Narrative Style: 1. Parallel harmonious effect: The Quran don't follow any literary laws yet itgives a very harmonious effect, which enchant its reader or listeners. Its impactis unbelievable and to some ones unnarrateable. 2. Is it Poetry or Prose? Linguists still face confusion as to classifying the Holy Quran as a prose or as a verse. It is difficult to say exactly that what Quran is?Probably it is both. 3. Blend of all Narrative Styles: There are three traditional narrative stylesi.e. oratory, literary and academic. But Quran employs all these three styles soskillfully that while following one style, Quran does not infringe the other. 4. Repetition of Subject: Normally, repitition of any thing has a boring effect onhuman being but Quran has unique feature that it repeats its Ahkaam time andagain (i.e. about Salat, Zakat, Fast, etc.) Yet we do not feel bore. 5. Delicate and Honoured Tone: The Quran is very delicate as to its content but at the same time it maintains its authoritative tone, which has a convincingeffects on the listener or readers. 6. Beautiful and Pleasant Style: The Quran is not a book of jokes. It discusses very serious, thought provoking topics. But Quranic style is so pleasant that onedoes not feel bore. For example, an inheritance law is a very serious subject butit is a miracle of Quranthat in Surah Nisa, it has been narrated the wholeinheritance laws in a very pleasant and consuming manner, that one does notfeel bore. 7. Employing All Specialties Perfectly:

Some persons in the history hadcommand over the ghazal where as some others had command over some othergenres of literature e.g. Qasida, Rubahi, Nazam, Naat etc. But Quran follows allthese qualities perfectly at the same time.

8.Compactness: The Quran has small and compact sentences but theremeanings are very deep and penetrating. 9.Understandable for Educated as Well as Illiterate Persons: The Holy Quran is unique in a sense that it has something to offer to both---educated as well as illiterate persons. An illiterate person can seek knowledge from Quranlike a scholar can. Though there will be difference in level of comprehension butQuran has something to offer for both. 10.The Best Words and Arrangement of Sentences: The Quranicarrangement of words in the sentences is the best one. 11. Inter-connectivity of Ayats: Apparently there is no content list of Quran but Ayats are so well knitted that person feel connectivity among the Ayats. Thisis why; Quran becomes a well-organized book in the eyes of even a new reader. 12. Style of Makki Surahs: Makki Surahs have small sentences which aremotivating and encouraging. Makki Surahs, normally avoids long andperplexing sentences. 13. Style of Madni Surahs: Madni Surahs have long sentences capable of explaining the technical concepts for example economic, inheritance and matrimonial laws. Quran Its Miracles, Language andInfluence on Subsequent Literature Quran --- A Heavenly Revealed Book The Holy Quran is last heavenly revealed book. It is in pure Arabic language. It can be divided in two main parts; one is Makki and second is Madni. Most of the Mkkisurahs consist of fundamental beliefs of Islam like Tauheed, Resalat, life hereafteretc. On the other hand Madnio surahs are consisting of orders relating to ethics,social life and Islamic government. Miracles of Holy Quran: 1- Inimitable: The Holy Quran was revealed in an era when the Arabian Peninsula was full of thelucid and eloquent poets. But Quran as it was kalam of Rehman was superior to the poetic work of the poets. Quran challenges everybody to bring even a very small versein competition to Quran.Quran put the same challenge four times before the non-believer. No one was able tomeet the challenge from then to now. 2- Miracle of The Holy Prophet (PBUH) Every prophet of Allah Almighty was awarded with a miracle of the art which was at its apex during that time. The Jesus was given the miracle of Tib. He used to touch

the leapers to make him healthy and could reincarnate the life in to a dead body. This was bestowed by Allah almighty on Jesus Christ because this was the time when Ilm-e-Tib was touching the height of its glory. Moses was given the miracle to competes rather over power the magicians and it was magic that was consider to be the order of the day. During the era of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), lucidity and poetry was at its apex. Then it was necessary to beatthis art. That is the reason Allah Almighty awarded the Holy Prophet (PBUH) withthe miracle of Quran. Quran was the best when it was compared to the literary work of that time. 3-Quran Safeguarded by Allah Almighty: Even after 1400 year time, the Holy Quran is safeguarded and intact. This is indeed amarvelous miracle of the Holy Quran that Allah Almighty has safeguarded this book by employing His Wisdom. Even a minute change cannot occur in this Holy Book,this indeed is the blessing and miracle of Allah. 4Impact of Quran For Who Understand it are Miraculous: The Holy Qurans lucidity made it even more effective for the people who try to understand it. Labid bin Rabia embraced Islam when he tried to complete (in poeticsense, he tried to add another stanza) Sura-al-kusar but could not do so. He understood that this cannot be the kalam of a man. So, he wrote This is not written by any man and embraced Islam. Similarly, the incident of Hazrat Umers embracing Islam shows that its impact is great and cannot be explained in words. 5Quran Neither A Verse Nor A Prose: Another miracle is that Quran has been revealed in such a way that it looks like aneither prose nor like a verse, as depicted by Dr. Taha Hussain. It flips qasidah,totally, when Sura Rehman is revealed and understood. All the magnificence showsthat Quran is also a miracle in its context and style. Influence / Impact of Quran on Subsequent Literature:Introduction: The Holy Quran imprinted deep marks over the subsequent literature. The spirit of the Holy Quran diffused in the Muslims and depicted itself in every walk of life. Wecan discuss the impacts of Holy Quran under following heads:1Impact on language2Impact on prose3Impact on calligraphy 4Impacts on modern literary disciplines Impacts on Language:

The Quranic narrative style gifted a peculiar delicacy to the Arabic language.Moreover Arabic became the National Language of a state which was stretched overhundred of lacs of miles. The Holy Quran introduced new words in it e.g.

Al Qayam

Al Rakuh

Al SajoodGhraibs were used by Quran. Imam Raghib Asfahani has counted many Ghraibs which were mentioned in the Holy Quran. These Ghraibs were no more use of theordinary Arab people. Impacts on Prose: The Holy Quran influenced the prose of that era in the following ways: a. Modern Narrartive style: The prose style after the revelation of Quran was more advanced and better instructure. Further, the sentences were more connected and coherent. The letters written by the Holy Prophet (PBUH) Maktubat e Nabvi and Khutbat e Nabvi followed a specific style which was propagated in Islamic Caliphate. b. Insha Pardazi Invented: When the Islamic state expended, it was a compulsion to maintain the accounts of expenditure and income of such big state, For this purpose Offices were establishedand it necessitated the Insha Paradazi. c. Peculiar Narrative Style: A specific style of writing was developed after the revelation of the Holy Quran. d. Oratory: Oratory became a common fashion in the public gatherings particularly during the wars to provoke the emotions of soldiers. e. Tradition of writing down history in Arab: Before the revelation of Quran, there was no tradition of writing down history in Arab. It was only after the Islam that this tradition was established. Probably, wasthe first person to start writing history. In the true spirit of the subject. Initially, thesubject was used to quote the context of each Ayat and surah of the Holy Quran.

Impacts on Calligraphy: The Quranic revelation also gave Imppetus to the calligraphical styles. New styles were invented e.g.

Khat-i-Marsah

Khat-i-Naskh

Khat-i-RiyasiMoreover, every region (African, Persian, Turkish, etc) developed its owncalligraphical style. New Fields of Knowledge: After the revelation of the Holy Quran, it was propagated to the far off areas. Non Arabic people committed blunders while pronouncing the Holy Quran. Thisnecessitated the introduction of new fields of knowledge in order to understand Holy Quran. The new fields e.g.

Ilm e lughat

Asul-i-Fiqh

Ilm-i-Sarf-o-Nahv

Istanbat were introduced by the Muslims. Khalil bin Ahmed was the first one to write a book on Ilm-i-Lughat named as Kitab-ul-ain.

Quran Is Neither Prose Nor Poetry Introduction: The Qur'an is the revelation from Allah for the guidance of mankind. It is thefundamental document of the religion of Islam. It is regarded by the faithful as theHoly, revealed, eternal Word of God, preserved on the guarded tablets, lawh emahfuz in heaven . It is divided into 114 Suras or chapters. Suras are divided into verses, termed ayat. The Qurans Literary Form: Pre-Islamic Arabic literature is found in two forms: prose and poetry. But the

Quranic discourse cannot be descr ibed as any of the known literary forms. The most predominant opinion is that it doesnt adhere to any of the rules known to poetry andprose. Another opinion is that the Quran combines metrical and non -metricalcomposition to create its own literary form. Some scholars disagree with the above opinions and claim that the Quran is a form of rhymed prose, saj. Non-compliance to the Rules of Prose or Poetry: The Quran is not like the prose of Saj or Mursal and it doesn't fit into any of the al -Bihar. This can be seen by the following example: Wad Duha wal laili idha saja Ma waddaka Rabbuka wa maa qalaWa lal akhiraatu khairul laka minal oola Wa la sawfa yu teeka Rabbuka fa tarda The examination of the whole chapter indicates that it is not Saj or Mursal as this verse has an internal rhythm, whereas Saj does not have a consistent rhythm and Mursal has no rhythm or rhyme. Also it cannot be described as poetry; the totality of this chapter, or any other chapter for that matter, does not adhere to any of the al-Bihar. Taha Husains V iew:

The holy Quran is the master piece of Allah Almighty and miracle of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). The Holy Quran, a specimen of eloquence and lucidity in differentfrom poetry and prose of the time when it was revealed. Truly wrote by Dr. TahaHussain, But you know that the Quran is neither poetry not prose , and that is clear; for it does not bind itself to the bonds of verse. And it is not prose, for it is bound by bonds peculiar to itself, not found elsewhere. The Holy Quran consists of verses whichvary in length depending upon the situation and occasions for which these arerevealed. What is more interesting is the word selection, a selection which allowsvarying reading speed which make it even more effecting and imp ressive. On this point Dr. Taha Hussain further wrote, For example those verses dealing with dialogue that took place between the Prophet (PBUH) and the pagan and legislation have low reading speed. While theverses dealing with the non-believer, who are warned of punishment against their infidelity, have high reading speed.

Taha Hussain further elaborates the fact by quoting examples of high reading speedand low reading speed surah:

Surah Al Shuraa: Example of speedy reading

Surah Al Qasas: Example of slow reading Unique Style of Quran: The Qur'an can only be described as the 'peak of eloquence'. It selects the perfect words in the most apt arrangements to achieve the intended communicative goal. When the Qur'an is compared to any other Arabic text, poetry or prose, it transcendsthe choices made by human authors; including words, pronouns, sounds, rhythmsand particles. An instance of such miraculous aspect is the wordaghtasha (bedimmed)in the ayah: And He bedimmed its night and brought out its fo renoon. (TMQ, 79: 29). Itaffects the listener and causes him to sense the impact of darkness, silence,stagnancy, and solitude. The Quran is a sea of rhetoric. The Quran exhibits an unparalleled frequency of rhetorical features, surpassing any other Arabic text, classical or modern, poetry orprose. The use of rhetoric in the Quran stands out from any type of discourse. Qurans style is unique in the sense that it employs more rhetorical features than any other rhymed prose; past or present. How Quranic Theme is Different from the Themes Depicted inContemporary Poetry: The subject matter of the poetry in the era when the Holy Quran was revealed was very limited. The poet usually said poems on verses on the incidents of their love

affairs, the memorization of the forsaken place by their beloved and the events boasting the status of their tribe.Quran presents the illustrations from a minute to the universe. It is complete code of life because it contains the preaching, legislation, way to lead a social and every bit of information necessary for spend a life according to the commandments of Allah. Qurans Style is Narrative and Dramatic: While explaining the stories of Noah, Ibrahim, Moses, Jesus, Joseph, David,Suleiman, etc. while the poets followed ghanai or wajdani style in contemporary era which is inferior. Another point which is elaborated by Angleika Neuwirth explain how Quran flips qaseedah (one of the most important sanf of poetry). In surah Rehman Allah Almighty has presented the bounties which will be showered on those people who will accept the commandments of Allah and spend their lives accordingly. In thissurah, the nature in transitory while the human legacy lives on which is the reversalof the ordinary qaseedah. Conclusion: Some scholars, however, by keeping in view, the style followed by the Holy Book havedrawn influence that it has some time the characteristics of both the poetry and prose. The harmonious effects of Surah Al Najam and initial verses of Surah AlMaryum are c

ited as the example to validate the above stated notion. But overall, theHoly Quran in neither a verse nor a prose, it is something else above the level of aman as it is Devine and from the Providence. This is the miracle of the Holy Prophet(PBUH).