Identifying parallel structures within the Qurʾān helps to unfold the thematic lines of a sūra and provides a deeper understanding by identifying new perspectives, coherence (
nazm) and a heightened awareness of the emphasis applied to various topics. Parallel portrayal of events may cross historical eras and deliver valuable insights towards common and differentiated messages. Narratives often convey parallel stories simultaneously so that the viewer may draw comparisons and anticipate culmination of the plots. In this book, we will observe parallelism and connections within the Qurʼānic verses in a detailed study of Sūra Al-Baqara and Sūra Āl-‘Imrān.
An
enveloping structure is commonly found in the Qurʾān around a cluster of verses. An entire sūra may also be enveloped such as Sūra Al-Baqara or Sūra Āl-‘Imrān which we will observe as
ending the same way as it began. In an envelope structure, the idea or theme articulated at the beginning of a discourse is restated at the end.
The following is an illustration of an envelope pattern from Q Sūra al-Rūm (30:20, 25):
v20: And of His
signs is that He created
you from dust; then, suddenly you were human beings
dispersing [throughout the earth].
v25: And of His
signs is that the
heaven and
earth remain by His command. Then when He calls you with a [single] call from the earth, immediately you will
come forth.
The verse cluster v20-25 begins with creation of the human being as a sign (v20) and ends with the creation of the universe as a sign (v25). We also observe that v20 begins with the proclamation of Allāh’s creation of human beings and their subsequent dispersal throughout the
earth. In v25, the same theme is repeated with a corresponding context. Allāh is now recreating human beings through resurrection and they gush out of the belly of the
earth—
enveloping the idea of initial dispersion and final return.
We will review an illustration of a parallel structure in the Throne verse in the form ABCD/E/D’C’B’A’ which pivots around the central element E (Q 2:255). The numbers noted within the single verse represent sentences.
A (v255-1): Allāh-there is none worthy of worship except He; the
Ever-Living, The
Ever-Watchful.
B (v255-2): Neither
drowsiness nor sleep overtakes Him.
C (v255-3): To Him
belongs whatever is in the Heavens and the Earth.
D (v255-4): Who is it that can intercede with Him
except by His permission?
E (v255-5): He knows what is
before them and what will be
after them.
D’ (v255-6): And they encompass not a thing of His knowledge
except for what He wills.
C’ (v255-7): His
Throne extends over the Heavens and the Earth.
B’ (v255-8): And their preservation
tires Him not.
A’ (v255-9): And He is the
Most-High, the
Most-Supreme.
We can observe the following parallel structure of this verse:
- A (v255-1) and A’(v255-9) are synonymous as each verse mentions the two names of Allāh and these specific attributes correlate and envelop the verses in between.
- B (v255-2) and B’(v255-8) are parallel as they complement and complete the declaration that that no form of weariness overtakes Allāh.
- C (v255-3) and C’(v255-7) are two complementary aspects of Allāh with regards to His ownership (Mālik) and kingship (Malik) respectively of the Heavens and the Earth.
- D(v255-4) and D’(v255-6) are parallel as these sentences proclaim together that human authority and knowledge can only be acquired by His permission.
- E (v255-5) is the center verse of this parallel structure that lays down the main idea that Allāh is Omniscient—All-Knowing and All-Seeing. Allāh has complete knowledge of what took place going back to the beginning of time and what lies ahead.
