| Another aspect of the novelty
of the Qur'an language has to do with its themes. These themes and topics represent
a clear departure from those which had been hitherto familiar to the Arabs. As
Taha Husayn explained: "It does not deal with any such things as
ruins, camels, or long journeys in the desert; nor does it describe longing for
the beloved, love, or eulogy, topics most familiar to pre-Islamic Arabs. But rather
it talks to the Arabs about such things as the oneness of Allah, His limitless
power, His knowledge, which is unattainable, His will, which is unstoppable, and
His creation of heaven and earth". This passage underscores yet
another innovative aspect of the Qur'an, namely the presentation of novel themes
through an abundance of examples all aimed at illustration and persuasion. The
use of illustration is one of the most effective stylistic techniques of the Qur'an.
One can hardly read a verse without experiencing the impact of this technique.
The art of narrative style represents another innovative the stories of Prophet
Nuh, Ibrahim, Yusuf, Musa, and Issa, among others. It presents the dialogues
that took place in such stories and the claims and counter-claims made by each
of the opposing parties. Story-telling may not have been totally novel in pre-Islamic
Arabia given the significant quantity of parables, epics, and myths that were
inherited from that period. What was novel; however, was the type of integrated,
elaborate story involving such essential items as theme, plot, well-developed
characters, and denouement which are to be found in the Qur'an, which refers itself
to the benefit in telling such stories:

"We
do relate unto you the most beautiful stories, in that We reveal unto you this
[portion of the] Qur'an.Before this you too were among those who knew it not".
(12:3) |