LessonsPractice 5: Advanced Applied Balāghah in Selected Qur’anic PassagesQuiz

اجْتَنِبُوا كَثِيرًا مِنَ الظَّنِّ إِنَّ بَعْضَ الظَّنِّ إِثْمٌ
Avoid much suspicion, for some suspicions are sinful.

In Al-Ḥujurāt 49:12, kathīran (“much”) and baʿḍa (“some”) do not have identical scope. The imperative commands wide caution, whereas the supporting clause expressly states that some suspicion is sinful.

It would contradict baʿḍ to replace the verse with “every suspicion is sinful.” Faithful rhetorical analysis preserves explicit quantification even when the discourse urges serious moral vigilance.

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Quantifiers that prevent overgeneralisation

Practice 5: Advanced Applied Balāghah in Selected Qur’anic Passages

اجْتَنِبُوا كَثِيرًا مِنَ الظَّنِّ إِنَّ بَعْضَ الظَّنِّ إِثْمٌ
Avoid much suspicion, for some suspicions are sinful.

In Al-Ḥujurāt 49:12, kathīran (“much”) and baʿḍa (“some”) do not have identical scope. The imperative commands wide caution, whereas the supporting clause expressly states that some suspicion is sinful.

It would contradict baʿḍ to replace the verse with “every suspicion is sinful.” Faithful rhetorical analysis preserves explicit quantification even when the discourse urges serious moral vigilance.