Taʾkid al-madh bima yushbih al-dhamm reinforces praise by using an expression that initially appears to introduce criticism. “They have no fault except…” prepares the listener for a defect, but the supposed exception actually adds praise.
The device therefore combines apparent blame with actual commendation. The particle “except” alone does not create the effect; what follows it must be positively evaluative in context.
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Semantic Embellishments II: Gathering, Differentiation, Division, Hyperbole, and Further Devices
Taʾkid al-madh bima yushbih al-dhamm reinforces praise by using an expression that initially appears to introduce criticism. “They have no fault except…” prepares the listener for a defect, but the supposed exception actually adds praise.
The device therefore combines apparent blame with actual commendation. The particle “except” alone does not create the effect; what follows it must be positively evaluative in context.