Are there metaphors in the Quran?

Uploaded Nov 5, 2024
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Sheikh Muhammad Hisham Al-Tahiri
The questioner says: From the scholars who deny Al-Majaz (metaphorical meaning) is Shaykh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, despite (the fact that) he interpreted the statement of Allah (meaning of which): {And ask ‘Al-Qaryah’ (the people of) the town where we have been…} [Yusuf: 82] And he said it is ' Haqiqah' (upon its literal meaning) and not Majaz (metaphorical), meaning that the town itself is the one being asked. And the scholars say: The people of the town are asked. (Answer:) What is apparent is that the brother didn't understand the speech of Shaykh Al-Islam. Shaykh Al-Islam is not the only one who denies 'Al-Majaz'. And I have mentioned in our book: "Giving enjoyment to the possessors of knowledge, by way of what the books of Sheikh Al-Islam contain from the sciences of the Quran" (only available in Arabic), I've mentioned more than 60 scholars that (say) there is no Majaz in the Quran or in the language before sheikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah. So what is the meaning of (the ayah (meaning of which:)) {And ask Al-Qaryah...}? We say: learn the Arabic language, then speak. The word 'Al-Qaryah' in the Arabic language is used in reference to the dwellings, in reference to the inhabitants of the dwellings and is also used in reference to the town and its inhabitants. These are three terminologies for the word 'Al-Qaryah'. So if you hear Allah saying (meaning of which): {And ask Al-Qaryah...}, why is your mind going to (it intending) the dwellings (only)? Because your understanding of the (Arabic) language is weak, you don't understand except this, (so) what should we do with you? This is like a person who hears the word "As-Sama'", his understanding of the language is weak, he does not understand from the word "As-Sama'", except for the visible sky. Then he recites His statement Ta'ala (Exalted is he) (meaning of which): {and We send down pure water from As-Sama'} [Al-Furqan: 48] and says "O Sheikh, I have a problem". "What is your problem?" He says, "O Brother, the rain doesn't come from the sky. The rain comes from the clouds." Your language is weak, what should I do (about it)? I must say that this is a metaphor? As-Sama' to the Arabs refers to the clouds, the visible sky, every lofty place or the rain. If your mind is restricted in understanding to only one meaning from the meanings of the Arabs, then don't force me and say: "You must say it is Majaz." {And ask Al-Qaryah... } upon its apparent meaning. What is the meaning of Al-Qaryah (here)? You don't understand what 'Al-Qaryah is referring to? Then ask, what is the meaning of 'Al-Qaryah (in this context)? We say "those who have settled in that place in Egypt", "those who have settled in Egypt", meaning: "And ask "those who have settled in that place in Egypt". This is the pure Arabic language (‘Fusha’). As for if you don't understand, or your minds are limited in understanding Arabic, so you claimed that this is Majaz, and what is meant is to ask the people of Qarya (because its impossible to ask the Qarya) [therefore denying what came from the Quran.] Why all of this? Are you more knowledgable or Allah? The scholars of Tafsir, when they said "And ask the people of the town..." this is to make the meaning more understandable to those who read the Quran. And it doesn't mean that they did not know that Al-Qaryah is a noun that can be used to refer to the inhabitants.