the grammarians of Kufa and others, instances of a noun being joined to its adjective in a genitive construction without any ellipsis. Many grammarians of Basra, however, maintain that the noun governed by the genitive construction has been omitted, the underlying wording being “the prayer of the first hour.” The first view is more correct: nothing in the wording indicates the supposedly omitted noun, nor does it come to mind. The adjectival construction also occurs in several places, as in His words:

“The final abode”;

and:

“His word is the truth.”

In short, parallels to this are numerous in the Quran and in Arabic speech. This provides no argument for those who call it figurative beyond whatever argument they have concerning its parallels. The matter must therefore be referred back to the underlying principle.

Ibn ʿAqīl said:

“Among our proofs are the words of the Most High:

‘In a clear Arabic tongue.’

Since it is established that the Quran is Arabic, and the Arabic language includes metaphor and figurative expression among its means of clarity and eloquence, were the Quran to omit these, it would not fully encompass the forms of speech or attain complete eloquence. The Arabs’ inability to match it becomes apparent only when the discourse is lengthy and brings together their metaphors, comparisons, and descriptions. Nor is there any text authorizing such wording unless it is lengthy.

“For this reason, the challenge cannot be issued through something like a single line of poetry, or through one or two verses. Likewise, a short portion of the Quran was not accorded the same inviolability as a long passage, so the revealed Law permitted a person in a state of major ritual impurity and a menstruating woman to recite it. All this is because such a portion does not possess inimitability.

“Thus, if He employs figurative and literal expression, together with all the other forms and categories of speech, and His speech surpasses discourse encompassing all those categories, its inimitability is established and their inability to match it becomes evident. This requires that the Quran contain figurative expression.”