The Occurrence Of Interrogative Pronoun Kayf-A (How) In Meccan Surahs: A Contextual Grammatical Study
Abstract
This study tackles the occurrence of the interrogative pronoun kayf-a (how) in the Meccan Surahs in the Holy Quran as well as its function in grammatical constructions. This includes clarifying the meaning it denotes and how it transforms the literal meaning of a text. The study of texts in context is one of the most important modern linguistic approaches that have deep roots in the Arab thought, literature, and rhetoric. Particularly important in this area is al-Jarjany’s composition theory, which he proposes in his book Dala’il al-I‘jaz (Evidence of the Inimitability of the Quran). For this reason, the descriptive analytic approach is adopted in this study to make it possible to analyze syntactic patterns and the effect of the context of a word and a sentence on preserving meaning or altering and transforming it.. The conclusions are as follows : It is known that kayf is used for interrogation. However, the contextual study of Quranic verses shows that it adds meaning to a text, an additional sense to the literal one. It does not express only interrogation, but may convey, depending on the context, exclamation, reproach, or deprecation. Kayf is most often used where the subject is consequences, contemplation, and reflection. It effectively directs attention toward the hows. In such verses, kayf most often co-occurs with the verb phrases ‘see’ and ‘have you not seen/did you not see.
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Kayf occurring in the accusative case as the comment of a defective verb:
“Say, ‘Travel throughout the land and see the fate of the deniers.’” Al-An‘am, v. 11.
“We poured upon them a rain (of brimstone). See what was the end of the wicked!” al-A‘raf, v. 84.
“And do not lie in ambush on every road—threatening and hindering those who believe in Allah from His Path and striving to make it (appear) crooked. Remember when you were few, then He increased you in number. And consider the fate of the corruptors!” al-A‘raf, v. 86.
“Then after them We sent Moses with Our signs to Pharaoh and his chiefs, but they wrongfully rejected them. See what was the end of the corruptors!” al-A‘raf, v. 103.
“In fact, they (hastily) rejected the Book without comprehending it and before the fulfilment of its warnings. Similarly, those before them were in denial. See then what was the end of the wrongdoers!” Yunus, v. 39.
“We only sent before you (O Prophet) men inspired by Us from among the people of each society. Have the deniers not travelled through the land to see what was the end of those (destroyed) before them? And surely the (eternal) Home of the Hereafter is far better for those mindful (of Allah). Will you not then understand?” Yusuf, v. 109.
“We surely sent a messenger to every community, saying, ‘Worship Allah and shun false gods.’ But some of them were guided by Allah, while others were destined to stray. So travel throughout the land and see the fate of the deniers!” An-Nahl, v. 36.
“And the residents of Midian. And Moses was denied (too). But I delayed (the fate of) the disbelievers (until their appointed time) then seized them. And how severe was My response!” Al-Hajj, v. 44.
“And, although their hearts were convinced the signs were true, they still denied them wrongfully and arrogantly. See then what was the end of the corruptors!” An-Naml, v. 14.
“See then what the consequences of their plan were: We (utterly) destroyed them and their people all together.” An-Naml, v. 51.
“Say, (O Prophet,) ‘Travel throughout the land and see the fate of the wicked.’” An-Naml, v. 69.
“So We seized him and his soldiers, casting them into the sea. See then what was the end of the wrongdoers!” Al-Qasas, v. 40.
“Have they not travelled throughout the land to see what was the end of those (destroyed) before them? They were far superior in might; they cultivated the land and developed it more than these (Meccans) ever have. Their messengers came to them with clear proofs. Allah would have never wronged them, but it was they who wronged themselves.” Ar-Rum, v. 9.
“Say, (O Prophet,) ‘Travel throughout the land and see what was the end of those (destroyed) before (you)—most of them were polytheists.’” Ar-Rum, v. 42.
“Those (destroyed) before them denied as well—and these (Meccans) have not attained even one-tenth of what We had given their predecessors. Yet (when) they denied My messengers, how severe was My response!” Saba, v. 45.
“If Allah were to punish people (immediately) for what they have committed, He would not have left a single living being on earth. But He delays them for an appointed term. And when their time arrives, then surely Allah is All-Seeing of His servants.” Fatir, v. 45.
“Have they not travelled throughout the land to see what was the end of those (destroyed) before them? They were far superior in might. But there is nothing that can escape Allah in the heavens or the earth. He is certainly All-Knowing, Most Capable.” Fatir, v. 44.
“See then what was the end of those who had been warned.” As-Saffat, v. 73.
“Before them, the people of Noah denied (the truth), as did (other) enemy forces afterwards. Every community plotted against its prophet to seize him, and argued in falsehood, (hoping) to discredit the truth with it. So I seized them. And how (horrible) was My punishment!” Ghafir, v. 5.
“Have they not travelled throughout the land to see what was the end of those (destroyed) before them? They were far superior in might and (richer in) monuments throughout the land. But Allah seized them for their sins, and they had no protector from Allah.” Ghafir, v. 21.
“Have they not travelled throughout the land to see what was the end of those who were (destroyed) before them? They were far superior in might and (richer in) monuments throughout the land, but their (worldly) gains were of no benefit to them.” Ghafir, v. 82.
“So We inflicted punishment upon them. See then what was the fate of the deniers!” Az-Zukhruf, v. 25.
“Then how (dreadful) were My punishment and warnings!” Al-Qamar, v. 16.
“Then how (dreadful) were My punishment and warnings!” Al-Qamar, v. 18.
“Then how (dreadful) were My punishment and warnings!” Al-Qamar, v. 21.
“And certainly those before them denied ˹as well˺, then how severe was My response!” Al-Mulk, v. 18.
Kayf occurring as the comment of a delayed topic:
“Or do you feel secure that the One Who is in heaven will not unleash upon you a storm of stones. Only then would you know how (serious) My warning was!” Al-Mulk, v. 17.
Kayf occurring in the accusative case as an object:
“See how they will lie about themselves and how those (gods) they fabricated will fail them!” Al-An‘am, v. 24.
“He turned away from them, saying, ‘O my people! Indeed, I have delivered to you the messages of my Lord and gave you (sincere) advice. How can I then grieve for those who chose to disbelieve?’” Al-A‘raf, v. 93.
“Do you not see how Allah compares a good word to a good tree? Its root is firm and its branches reach the sky.” Ibrahim, v. 24.
“You passed by the ruins of those (destroyed peoples) who had wronged themselves. It was made clear to you how We dealt with them, and We gave you (many) examples.” Ibrahim, v. 45.
“See how We have favoured some over others (in this life), but the Hereafter is certainly far greater in rank and in favour.” Al-Isra, v. 21.
“See how they call you names (O Prophet)! So they have gone so (far) astray that they cannot find the (Right) Way.” Al-Isra, v. 48.
“See (O Prophet) how they call you names! So they have gone so (far) astray that they cannot find the (Right) Way.” Al-Furqan, v. 9.
“Have you not seen how your Lord extends the shade—He could have simply made it (remain) still if He so willed—then We make the sun its guide.” Al-Furqan, v. 45.
“Say, (O Prophet,) ‘Travel throughout the land and see how He originated the creation, then Allah will bring it into being one more time. Surely Allah is Most Capable of everything.’” Al-‘Ankabut, v. 20.
“Have they not then looked at the sky above them: how We built it and adorned it (with stars), leaving it flawless?” Qaf, v. 6.
“Do you not see how Allah created seven heavens, one above the other,” Nuh, v. 15.
“Do they not ever reflect on camels—how they were (masterfully) created; and the sky—how it was raised (high); and the mountains—how they were firmly set up; and the earth—how it was levelled out?” Al-Ghashiyah, vv. 17-20.
Kayf occurring as an adverb:
“Ask (them, O Prophet), ‘Imagine if Allah were to take away your hearing or sight, or seal your hearts—who else other than Allah could restore it?’ See (O Prophet) how We vary the signs, yet they still turn away.” Al-An‘am, v. 46.
“Say, ‘He (alone) has the power to unleash upon you a torment from above or below you or split you into (conflicting) factions and make you taste the violence of one another.’ See how We vary the signs, so perhaps they will comprehend.” Al-An‘am, v. 65.
“And how should I fear your associate-gods, while you have no fear in associating (others) with Allah—a practice He has never authorized? Which side has more right to security? (Tell me) if you really know!” Al-An‘am, v. 81.
“Then We made you their successors in the land to see how you would act.” Yunus, v. 14.
“Ask (them, O Prophet), ‘Can any of your associate-gods originate creation and then resurrect it?’ Say, ‘(Only) Allah originates creation and then resurrects it. How can you then be deluded (from the truth)?’” Yunus, v. 34.
“So she pointed to the baby. They exclaimed, ‘How can we talk to someone who is an infant in the cradle?’” Maryam, v. 29.
“Have they not seen how Allah originates the creation then resurrects it? That is certainly easy for Allah.” Al-‘Ankabut, v. 19.
“It is Allah Who sends the winds, which then stir up (vapour, forming) clouds, which He then spreads out in the sky or piles up into masses as He wills, from which you see rain come forth. Then as soon as He causes it to fall on whoever He wills of His servants, they rejoice.” Ar-Rum, v. 48.
“See then the impact of Allah’s mercy: how He gives life to the earth after its death! Surely That (same God) can raise the dead. For He is Most Capable of everything.” Ar-Rum, v. 50.
“What is the matter with you? How do you judge?” Al-Qalam, v. 36.
“If you (pagans) persist in disbelief, then how will you guard yourselves against (the horrors of) a Day which will turn children’s hair grey?” al-Muzzammil, v. 17.
Kayf occurring as an absolute object:
“Did you not see how your Lord dealt with ’Ȃd.” Al-Fajr, v. 6.
“Have you not seen (O Prophet) how your Lord dealt with the Army of the Elephant?” Al-Phil, v. 1.
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