Principle Sixty-Eight: When opposite qualities are set side by side, there is no need to state which is superior if the difference is self-evident.

The Qur’an employs this principle frequently, especially in critical contexts: faith versus unbelief, monotheism versus idolatry, the true God versus all pretended deities. It simply juxtaposes the two descriptions whose contrast any rational mind grasps instinctively, leaving it to the listener to conclude which one is better. Allah says:

“Are many separate lords better, or Allah, the One, the Irresistible?” (12:39);

“Is Allah better, or whatever you associate with Him? … Or [is better] the One who created the heavens and the earth?” (27:59–60);

“Allah sets forth a parable: a man owned jointly by quarrelsome partners and a man wholly devoted to one master—are the two equal in comparison?” (39:29);

“The likeness of the two groups is that of the blind and deaf on the one hand and the seeing and hearing on the other—are they equal in likeness?” (11:24);

“Say, ‘Are you more knowledgeable, or is Allah?’ ” (2:140);

“Say, ‘Has Allah permitted you to do so, or are you inventing lies against Allah?’ ” (10:59);

“Say, ‘Are those who know equal to those who do not know?’ ” (39:9).

Immediately before the last verse He says: “Is one who spends the night devoutly obedient, prostrating and standing in prayer, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for his Lord’s mercy …” (39:9). Here the second category is left unmentioned, just as the explicit statement of superiority is omitted, because both are obvious from the setting. His words—“Is one who is devout throughout the night …”—clearly mean “as opposed to one who is not.” Many verses follow this pattern, and it is part of the Qur’an’s matchless eloquence and wondrous style.