LessonsRhetorical Addition: Emphasis, Explanatory Coordination, Connections and Multiple MeaningsQuiz

«سَيَقُولُ السُّفَهَاءُ مِنَ النَّاسِ مَا وَلَّاهُمْ عَنْ قِبْلَتِهِمُ الَّتِي كَانُوا عَلَيْهَا»
“Foolish people will say: What has turned them from their former direction of prayer?” (al-Baqarah 2:142, excerpt)

«قَدْ نَرَىٰ تَقَلُّبَ وَجْهِكَ فِي السَّمَاءِ»
“We have surely seen you turning your face toward heaven.” (al-Baqarah 2:144, excerpt)

The question concerning the change of direction appears before the later instruction in the recited sequence. Literary sequence and the chronology of the events under discussion are not automatically identical.

The interpreter considers the deliberate arrangement of anticipation, objection and response. Historical assertions about the exact chronological descent of verses require evidence beyond their position in the muṣḥaf.

Opening interactive controls...

Revelation chronology differs from recited arrangement

Rhetorical Addition: Emphasis, Explanatory Coordination, Connections and Multiple Meanings

«سَيَقُولُ السُّفَهَاءُ مِنَ النَّاسِ مَا وَلَّاهُمْ عَنْ قِبْلَتِهِمُ الَّتِي كَانُوا عَلَيْهَا»
“Foolish people will say: What has turned them from their former direction of prayer?” (al-Baqarah 2:142, excerpt)

«قَدْ نَرَىٰ تَقَلُّبَ وَجْهِكَ فِي السَّمَاءِ»
“We have surely seen you turning your face toward heaven.” (al-Baqarah 2:144, excerpt)

The question concerning the change of direction appears before the later instruction in the recited sequence. Literary sequence and the chronology of the events under discussion are not automatically identical.

The interpreter considers the deliberate arrangement of anticipation, objection and response. Historical assertions about the exact chronological descent of verses require evidence beyond their position in the muṣḥaf.