LessonsIstiʿārah: Definition, Figurative Identification and the Linguistic–Intellectual DebateQuiz

كَحَاتِمٍ الْمُتَضَمِّنِ لِلِاتِّصَافِ بِالْجُودِ
As with “Ḥātim,” associated with generosity.

“Ḥātim” is originally the proper name of a particular historical person. When his generosity becomes so celebrated that his name calls the trait to mind, saying “this man is a Ḥātim” can operate metaphorically.

A proper name raises a technical issue: how can a designation for one individual apply to another? The rhetorical answer draws on the trait conspicuously associated with the named person. The new referent is represented as worthy of that exemplary name; merely reproducing the letters of the name would not supply the relation.

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Metaphorical transfer of an individual proper name

Istiʿārah: Definition, Figurative Identification and the Linguistic–Intellectual Debate

كَحَاتِمٍ الْمُتَضَمِّنِ لِلِاتِّصَافِ بِالْجُودِ
As with “Ḥātim,” associated with generosity.

“Ḥātim” is originally the proper name of a particular historical person. When his generosity becomes so celebrated that his name calls the trait to mind, saying “this man is a Ḥātim” can operate metaphorically.

A proper name raises a technical issue: how can a designation for one individual apply to another? The rhetorical answer draws on the trait conspicuously associated with the named person. The new referent is represented as worthy of that exemplary name; merely reproducing the letters of the name would not supply the relation.