LessonsDefining the Subject by Demonstration: Rhetorical Purposes of DemonstrativesQuiz

ذٰلِكَ الْكِتَابُ
That Book—an exalted Book in this context. (Al-Baqarah 2:2)

The divine Book is referred to by «ذٰلِكَ». In a context of reverence, the far demonstrative can suggest loftiness of rank, not necessarily physical separation between the Book and its audience. The rhetorical analysis treats elevated status as analogous to distance.

The form «ذٰلِكَ» does not literally mean “great.” The descriptive force in the translation explains the context. The Arabic wording and the interpretive rhetorical implication should remain distinct.

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Far demonstration used to magnify

Defining the Subject by Demonstration: Rhetorical Purposes of Demonstratives

ذٰلِكَ الْكِتَابُ
That Book—an exalted Book in this context. (Al-Baqarah 2:2)

The divine Book is referred to by «ذٰلِكَ». In a context of reverence, the far demonstrative can suggest loftiness of rank, not necessarily physical separation between the Book and its audience. The rhetorical analysis treats elevated status as analogous to distance.

The form «ذٰلِكَ» does not literally mean “great.” The descriptive force in the translation explains the context. The Arabic wording and the interpretive rhetorical implication should remain distinct.