LessonsProhibition (al-Nahy): Form, Literal Meaning and Rhetorical PurposesQuiz

لَا تُطِعْ أَمْرِي
Do not obey my instruction.

Imagine a master saying this to a servant while warning of disobedience’s consequences. The wording superficially calls for disobedience, but its purpose is not to grant permission to disobey. The speaker is warning that disobedience will have consequences.

This use is tahdīd, threat. The background of reprimand, feared consequences, and the speaker’s tone reveals the intention.

In a different situation these same words need not function as a threat; context and tone remain necessary.

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Fourth rhetorical use: threat

Prohibition (al-Nahy): Form, Literal Meaning and Rhetorical Purposes

لَا تُطِعْ أَمْرِي
Do not obey my instruction.

Imagine a master saying this to a servant while warning of disobedience’s consequences. The wording superficially calls for disobedience, but its purpose is not to grant permission to disobey. The speaker is warning that disobedience will have consequences.

This use is tahdīd, threat. The background of reprimand, feared consequences, and the speaker’s tone reveals the intention.

In a different situation these same words need not function as a threat; context and tone remain necessary.