The concept of metaphor according to Abu Zakariya Al-Farra’ (d. 207 AH)

Abstract

        Arabic has prevailed over all human languages by being honored with the Quran, as Allah Almighty bestowed His favor upon its people by revealing the Quran in their language and making it the language of the inhabitants of Paradise. The Quran is Arabic in its words, expressions, meanings, and indications, as well as in its styles and discourse. To highlight the authenticity of Arabic, scholars have dedicated themselves to studying the Quranic verses from a linguistic perspective, producing numerous works that elucidate the meanings and grammatical structures of the Quran. As a result, many compilations have emerged focusing on the wording and meaning of the Quran, including books on the meanings of the Quran, its metaphors, grammatical structures, ambiguities, and rare expressions. Among the early linguists who authored works on the meanings of the Quran and contributed to its interpretation and the clarification of its terms and meanings is Abu Zakariya Yahya ibn Ziyad al-Farra.

           Metaphor is an inherent art form in the Arabic language, with roots extending back to the pre-Islamic era. Ancient Arabic poetry abounds with numerous rhetorical devices. Metaphor served as a means for poets and writers to express themselves creatively. The Holy Quran had a profound influence on the development of Arabic sciences in general, and rhetoric in particular. The Arabs' use of metaphor stemmed from their inclination towards expansiveness in speech and the abundance of its words and meanings. Al-Farra' was aware of the phenomenon of attributing actions to something other than their agent. He frequently points out this phenomenon without explicitly using the word "metaphor" (tajawwuz), instead employing a word very close in meaning to "metaphor" (tajawwuz): "expansion" (ittisā').