LessonsThe Subject of Predication: Omission, Mention and Modes of IdentificationQuiz

إِنَّ الْإِنْسَانَ لَفِي خُسْرٍ
Surely humankind is in loss. (al-ʿAṣr 103:2)

Here “الإنسان” does not point to one particular person. The general judgment, followed by the exception for those who believe and act rightly, makes the comprehensive scope evident. The article therefore participates in istighrāq—reference covering the relevant individuals.

To evoke a kind and to state a judgment about every member of that kind are different acts. Context and markers such as an exception are important evidence for reading the article as comprehensive rather than merely generic.

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Generic inclusion and evidence of comprehensive scope

The Subject of Predication: Omission, Mention and Modes of Identification

إِنَّ الْإِنْسَانَ لَفِي خُسْرٍ
Surely humankind is in loss. (al-ʿAṣr 103:2)

Here “الإنسان” does not point to one particular person. The general judgment, followed by the exception for those who believe and act rightly, makes the comprehensive scope evident. The article therefore participates in istighrāq—reference covering the relevant individuals.

To evoke a kind and to state a judgment about every member of that kind are different acts. Context and markers such as an exception are important evidence for reading the article as comprehensive rather than merely generic.