English

QCF V2

Mahmoud Khaleel Al-Husary

Ibn Kathir (Abridged)

Hasan Efendi Nahi

Imām Ibn al-Jawzī (d. 597/1201) summarized the scholars' opinions in his book "Zād al-Masīr" as follows:

1. The verses of the Book that are recited.
2. The miracles of the prophets.
3. The Qurʾān.
4. The signs of God in His creations.

What is meant by "Our āyāt" in this verse?

Imām Ibn al-Jawzī (d. 597/1201) summarized the scholars' opinions in his book "Zād al-Masīr" as follows:

1. The word āyah means sign. Therefore, an āyah is a marker that signifies the end of the speech before it and the beginning of the speech after it. [Abū ʿUbaydah]
2. It is called an āyah because it comprises a group of letters from the Qurʾān. Abū ʿAmr al-Shaybānī relates that the expression "the people went out with their āyah" means: as a group.
3. It is termed an āyah (sign) because it is wondrous. The reader, upon reciting it, can discern how distinct it is from human speech. This is similar to saying, "Such a person is a sign among signs (āyah min al-āyāt)," meaning: a wonder among wonders. [Ibn al-Anbārī]

Why are individual passages of the Qurʾān given the name *"āyah"*?