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

“Wa-lā tufsidū fī al-arḍ” — Do not cause corruption on earth: literal prohibition; corruption is actually forbidden.

“Fa-lā tushmit biya al-aʿdāʾ” — Do not let enemies gloat over me: supplication; the speaker pleads for consideration.

“Lā tabraḥ min makānika ḥattā arjiʿa ilayka” — Do not leave until I return: iltimās where the addressee is an equal.

“Yā ṣubḥu qif lā taṭluʿ” — O dawn, do not rise: tamannī, since dawn cannot obey a human prohibition.

“Lā tuṭiʿ amrī” — Do not obey my instruction: tahdīd in the specified situation of threatening a servant.

The analysis considers form, addressee, and contextual cue together.

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

“Wa-lā tufsidū fī al-arḍ” — Do not cause corruption on earth: literal prohibition; corruption is actually forbidden.

“Fa-lā tushmit biya al-aʿdāʾ” — Do not let enemies gloat over me: supplication; the speaker pleads for consideration.

“Lā tabraḥ min makānika ḥattā arjiʿa ilayka” — Do not leave until I return: iltimās where the addressee is an equal.

“Yā ṣubḥu qif lā taṭluʿ” — O dawn, do not rise: tamannī, since dawn cannot obey a human prohibition.

“Lā tuṭiʿ amrī” — Do not obey my instruction: tahdīd in the specified situation of threatening a servant.

The analysis considers form, addressee, and contextual cue together.