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As for the expression al-āyāt (the signs), it occurs frequently in the Quran, such as in His words—exalted is He:
“Thus We have appointed in every town the leading criminals so that they may scheme therein; yet they scheme only against themselves, though they are unaware. And when a sign comes to them they say, ‘We will never believe until we are given the like of what was given to Allah’s messengers.’ Allah knows best where to place His message.” ⦗al-Anʿām: 123⦘
And His words:
“We certainly gave Moses nine clear signs.” ⦗al-Isrāʾ: 101⦘
And His words:
“Insert your hand into your bosom; it will come out white, unblemished—another sign.” ⦗an-Naml: 12⦘
And Pharaoh’s statement to him:
“So bring it, if you are among the truthful.” ⦗ash-Shuʿarāʾ: 31⦘
وَأَمَّا لَفْظُ
(الْآيَاتِ)
فَكَثِيرٌ فِي الْقُرْآنِ،
كَقَوْلِهِ تَعَالَى:
{وَكَذَلِكَ جَعَلْنَا فِي كُلِّ قَرْيَةٍ أَكَابِرَ مُجْرِمِيهَا لِيَمْكُرُوا فِيهَا وَمَا يَمْكُرُونَ إِلَّا بِأَنْفُسِهِمْ وَمَا يَشْعُرُونَ وَإِذَا جَاءَتْهُمْ آيَةٌ قَالُوا لَنْ نُؤْمِنَ حَتَّى نُؤْتَى مِثْلَ مَا أُوتِيَ رُسُلُ اللَّهِ اللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ حَيْثُ يَجْعَلُ رِسَالَتَهُ}
[الأنعام: ١٢٣]
.
وَقَوْلِهِ تَعَالَى:
{وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا مُوسَى تِسْعَ آيَاتٍ بَيِّنَاتٍ}
[الإسراء: ١٠١]
.
وَقَالَ تَعَالَى:
{وَأَدْخِلْ يَدَكَ فِي جَيْبِكَ تَخْرُجْ بَيْضَاءَ مِنْ غَيْرِ سُوءٍ}
[النمل: ١٢]
آيَةً أُخْرَى.
وَقَوْلِ فِرْعَوْنَ لَهُ:
{فَأْتِ بِهِ إِنْ كُنْتَ مِنَ الصَّادِقِينَ}
[الشعراء: ٣١]
.