Obstacles to the Function of Letters in the Holy Quran

(Surah Al-Baqarah as a Model)

Abstract

This study explores the factors preventing the operation of particles (prepositions and similar function words) in the Qur’an, with an applied focus on Surah Al-Baqarah. The research begins from the premise that particles are originally operative (i.e., they affect the grammatical case of the word following them), but certain linguistic factors may suspend this effect. The researcher first defines the concept of “preventive factors” linguistically and terminologically, then clarifies the notion of particles and the prevention of their grammatical effect according to classical grammarians.

The practical analysis is confined to Surah Al-Baqarah, chosen for being the longest chapter of the Qur’an and the richest in grammatical structures. The study is divided into three sections:

• Section One: The preventive factors affecting “inna and its sisters”, particularly the occurrence of “mā al-kāffah” (the neutralizing “mā”), which nullifies their grammatical effect and transforms them into tools of restriction and emphasis, as in “إِنَّمَا نَحْنُ مُصْلِحُونَ” (“We are but reformers”).
• Section Two: The preventive factors affecting “lā of absolute negation (lā al-nāfiyah lil-jins)”, which becomes inactive when followed by a definite pronoun—as in “وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ” (“nor shall they grieve”)—or in certain syntactic constructions.
• Section Three: The preventive factors influencing “laysa” and other similar particles, which become non-operative when used outside their usual grammatical function or in meanings deviating from their original sense.

The study relies on both Qur’anic exegesis and grammatical sources to analyze the examples, identifying the locations and grammatical impacts of these preventive factors. It concludes that the phenomenon of preventing particle operation is a deep-rooted grammatical feature, and Surah Al-Baqarah provides abundant material to illustrate the precision and expressive richness of Qur’anic language. Recognizing these factors aids in achieving a more accurate understanding of the Qur’anic text.