«وَاشْتَعَلَ الرَّأْسُ شَيْبًا»
My head has flared with gray hair.
Ishtaʿala ordinarily denotes a fire catching or spreading; here it evokes the spread of gray hair. Al-raʾsu is the subject and shayban is an accusative specification (tamyīz). The image suggests extent and rapid spread.
The transfer lies in the idea of ignition. Grammar and imagery answer different but complementary questions.
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«وَاشْتَعَلَ الرَّأْسُ شَيْبًا»
My head has flared with gray hair.
Ishtaʿala ordinarily denotes a fire catching or spreading; here it evokes the spread of gray hair. Al-raʾsu is the subject and shayban is an accusative specification (tamyīz). The image suggests extent and rapid spread.
The transfer lies in the idea of ignition. Grammar and imagery answer different but complementary questions.