Daraba Passages
- philhoraia
- Jun 14
- 14 min read
There are Muslims, in trying to defend the notorious S 4:34, will go to the verb daraba and say that it is used of 'making' illustrations. In this post we shall be looking at the occurrences of the verb in quran.
S 2:26 Allah is not ashamed to make a similitude of even a mosquito and even above it. So as for those who have believed, and they know that it is the truth from their lord, and as for those who have disbelieved, and they say: What did Allah want by this similitude? He misguides therewith many and guides therewith many. And he does not misguide therewith except the fasiqun.
Where is the similitude of a mosquito and would it be for the purpose of misguiding? Would Allah be misguiding Muslims by means of them?
S 2:60 And when Musa asked for a drink for his people we said: Strike the stone with your staff. Then 12 springs poured forth from it. All people knew their drinking place. Eat and drink from Allah’s provision and do not act wickedly in the land corrupting.
S 2:61 And when you said: Musa, we shall not be patient with one food so invoke your lord for us to bring out for us of what the Earth grows, of its green plants and its cucumbers and its fum and its lentils and its onions. He said: Would you replace that which is lower with that which is better? Go down to Egypt. Then you will have what you have asked for. And humiliation and destitution were struck upon them and they returned with anger from Allah. That is because they used to disbelieve in the signs of Allah and kill the prophets without right. That is because they disobeyed and were transgressing.
Naturally one would prefer the better to the worse. Musa tells them to go down to Egypt, whence they supposedly came.
S 2:73 So we said: Hit him with some of it. Thus does Allah vivify the dead and he shows you his signs; perhaps you will comprehend.
Going by the text we may expect Allah to be vivifying the dead in the present day and by means of having them struck with a bit of meat. Might Allah vivify the dead on the day of resurrection by having them struck with a bit of meat?
S 2:273 For the poor who have been restricted in the way of Allah, not able to move in the land. The ignoramus thinks them rich from self-restraint, you recognise them by their mark. They do not ask people with importunity. And what you spend of good, Allah is learned in it.
S 3:112 Humiliation has been struck upon them wherever they have been met with except with a rope from Allah and a rope from people. And they came back with anger from Allah and poverty was struck upon them. That is because they used to disbelieve in Allah’s verses and they kill the prophets without right. That is because they have disbelieved and used to transgress.
S 3:156 Those who have believed, do not be like those who have disbelieved and have said to their brothers when they travelled in the land or were fighting: Had they been with us they would not have died and they would not have been killed, that Allah might make that grief in their hearts. And Allah vivifies and causes to die and Allah is a seer of what you do.
S 4:34 Men are supporters of women because Allah has preferred some of them to others and because they have spent from their monies. So righteous women are obedient, guarding for the ghayb what Allah has guarded. And those whose recalcitrance you fear, warn them and abandon them in beds and hit them. Then if they obey you do not seek a way against them. Allah was high, big.
S 4:94 Those who have believed, when you have gone in the way of Allah then ascertain and do not say to one who has offered you the salam: You are not a believer, seeking the manifestation of the dunya life. And with Allah there are many spoils. Thus were you before then Allah was benevolent to you. So ascertain. Allah was an expert in what you do.
S 4:101 And when you have travelled in the land then there is no transgression upon you that you shorten salat if you have feared that those who have disbelieved may do fitnah against you. The kafirun are an obvious enemy for you.
S 5:106 Those who have believed, testimony among you when death has attended one of you, at the time of the will two just men among you or two others other than you if you are travelling in the land and the calamity of death strikes you. Apprehend the two after salat then they will swear by Allah if you doubt. We shall not buy it at a price even if he was a close relative nor conceal Allah’s testimony. We would then be of those who make a mistake.
S 7:160 And we cut them into 12 tribes, nations. And we inspired Musa when his people asked him for a drink: Strike the stone with your staff. Then 12 springs spouted from it. All people knew their drinking place. And we shaded the clouds over them and sent down the manna and the quail upon them. Eat of good things what we have provided you. And they did not wrong us but they were wronging themselves.
S 8:12 When your lord inspires the angels: I am with you so make those who have believed firm. I shall throw terror into the hearts of those who have disbelieved. So strike above the necks and strike from them every distal phalanx.
S 8:50 And if you saw when the angels cause those who have disbelieved to die hitting their faces and their backsides: And taste the torture of the fire.
S 13:17 He has sent down from the sky water and valleys have flown by their quantity and the stream has carried rising foam. And from what they kindle on it in the fire to seek a bijou or pleasure, scum the like of it. Thus does Allah give the truth and the falsehood. And as for the scum, it passes away as dross. And as for what benefits people, it remains in the Earth. Thus does Allah give the similitudes.
What do they kindle on? On the water? On the stream? On the foam?
S 14:24 Have you not seen how Allah has made a similitude: A good word is like a good tree, its origin is fixed and its branch is in the sky?
A tree has multiple roots and typically multiple branches.
S 14:25 It gives its food all the time with permission of its lord. And Allah gives the similitudes to people; perhaps they will remember.
A fruit tree won't produce fruit all year round. And how might it require permission? What similitudes does Allah habitually make?
S 14:45 And you dwelt in the dwellings of those who had wronged themselves and it became clear to you how we acted with them and we gave you the similitudes.
S 16:74 So do not coin the similitudes for Lah. Allah knows and you do not know.
S 16:75 Allah has coined a similitude, a slave who is owned who has no power over anything and him whom we have given a good provision from us so he spends of it secretly and publicly. Are they equal? Praise be to Lah! Rather, most of them do not know.
If quran is eternal, when did Allah make the similitude?
S 16:76 And Allah has coined a similitude of two men. One of them dumb who has no power over anything and he is a fatigue on his mawla. Wherever he sends him he does not bring good. Are equal he and and he who commands with justice and he is on a straight path?
S 16:112 And Allah has coined a similitude of a village that was secure, confident, its provision coming to it opulently from every place but it disbelieved in Allah’s graces so Allah made it taste the garment of hunger and fear for what they used to do.
The text indicates 'village' in the accusative rather than in the genitive. The grammar's a little off.
S 17:48 Look how they have coined the similitudes for you but they have strayed so cannot a way.
S 18:11 So we struck over their ears in the cave a number of years.
S 18:32 And coin for them a similitude of two men. We assigned to one of them two jannat of grapes and we enclosed them with date palms and put a plantation between them.
So Allah's boss made this similitude?
S 18:45 And coin for them the similitude of the dunya life. Like water that we have sent down from the sky then the vegetation of the Earth was mingled with it then it became chaff which the winds scatter. And Allah was capable over everything.
S 20:77 And we inspired Musa: Travel by night with my slaves and strike a way for them in the sea, dry, not fearing a path nor fearing.
S 22:73 People, a similitude has been coined so listen to it. Those whom you invoke instead of Allah will not create a fly even if they gathered for it. And if the fly despoiled them of a thing they would not save it from it. Weakened was the seeker and the sought.
How might a fly despoil one of a thing? Could a fly snatch someone's sandwich?
S 24:31 And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and to guard their privates and not to display their adornment except what is visible of it. And let them draw their khumur over their bosoms and not display their adornment except to their husbands or their fathers or their husbands’ fathers or their sons or their husbands’ sons or their brothers or their brothers’ sons or their sisters’ sons or their women or what their right hands have possessed or the attendants possessing no physical desire among the men or the child who have not become manifest upon the awrat of women. And let them not strike with their feet that one may know what they conceal of their adornment. And repent to Allah together, believers; perhaps you will succeed.
There's a grammatical mistake. 'Child' should be 'children'.
S 24:35 Allah is the light of the skies and the Earth. A similitude of his light is as a niche wherein is a lamp. The lamp is in a glass, the glass is as though it were a brilliant planet, lit from a blessed tree, an olive tree, not eastern or western, its oil almost illuminates, even if fire had not touched it. Light upon light. Allah guides to his light whom he wills. And Allah makes similitudes for people. And Allah is learned in everything.
If quran is eternal, how might Allah make (present tense) similitudes?
S 25:9 See how they have coined the similitudes for you and have strayed so are not able a way.
S 25:39 And all have we set for him the examples and all did we destroy.
S 26:63 Then we inspired Musa: Strike the sea with your staff. Then it split apart and each part was like the great Tawd.
S 29:43 And those similitudes, we coin them for people and none comprehends them but the knowledgeable.
If they were being made for people in general, how might it benefit them if only the 'knowledgeable' could understand them? Was this composed in response to people saying: 'What the hell is this supposed to mean?' ?
S 30:28 He has given you a similitude from yourselves. Do you have of what your right hands have possessed any partners in what we have provided you with, so you are equal therein, fearing them as you fear yourselves? Thus do we detail the verses for people who comprehend.
S 30:58 And we have given for people in this Quran of every similitude. And if you have brought them a verse those who have disbelieved will say: You are nothing but pretenders.
S 36:13 And coin for them a similitude of the companions of the village, when the commissaries came to it,
S 36:78 And he has coined a similitude for us and he has forgotten his creation. He said: Who vivifies the bones while they are worn out?
S 37:93 Then he swerved upon them hitting with the right hand.
S 38:44 And take in your hand a bundle and hit with it and do not perjure. We found him patient. Excellent was the slave. He is a repenter.
This refers to Job striking his wife.
S 39:27 And we have coined for people in this quran of every similitude; perhaps they will remember.
In THIS quran.
S 39:29 Allah has coined a similitude. A man concerning whom are partners quarrelling and a man, submission to a man. Are they equal in similitude? Praise be to Lah! Rather, most of them do not know.
S 43:5 So should we strike from you the Dhikr, as remission, because you were an extravagant people?
S 43:17 And when one of them has been given good news of what he has coined a similitude to Al-Rahman his face has remained darkening and he is furious.
S 43:57 And when the son of Maryam was presented as a similitude, behold, your people turn from it.
S 43:58 And they said: Are our gods better or is he? They did not present it to you but as an argument. Rather, they are a disputatious people.
S 47:3 That is because those who have disbelieved have followed falsehood and that those who have believed have followed the truth from their lord. Thus does Allah give to people their similitudes.
S 47:4 So when you have met those who have disbelieved strike the necks until when you have weakened them then attach the shackle firmly then either a favour afterwards or a ransom until the war lays its burdens. That. And if Allah willed he would have revenged himself on them but to test some of you by others. And those who have been killed in the way of Allah, he will not cause their deeds to stray.
S 47:27 Then how when the angels cause them to die, striking their faces and their backsides?
S 57:13 On a day the male and female hypocrites say to those who have believed: Look at us, we may acquire some of your light. It was said: Return behind you and seek light. Then a wall was put up between them having a gate, its interior; therein is mercy, and its face, before it torture.
S 59:21 Had we sent down this quran on a mountain you would have seen it devout, cracked from fear of Allah. And those similitudes we give to people; perhaps they will reflect.**
S 66:10 Allah has coined a similtude for those who have disbelieved: Nuh’s woman and Lut’s woman. They were under two slaves of our righteous slaves but they betrayed them. So they did not avail anything from Allah. And it was said: Enter the fire with those who enter.
S 66:11 And Allah has coined a similitude for those who have believed: Fir’awn’s woman, when she said: Lord, build me a house with you in the Jannah and save me from Fir’awn and his work and save me from the wrongdoing people.
S 73:20 Your lord knows that you stand less than two thirds of the night and half of it and a third of it and a party of those with you. And Allah determines the night and the day. He knew that you will not enumerate it so he has repented for you, so read what has got easier of the Quran. He knew that there would be sick men among you and others travelling in the land seeking Allah’s favour and others fighting in the way of Allah. So read what has got easier of it and establish salat and give the zakat and give Allah a goodly loan. And what you offer for yourselves of good you find it with Allah. It is better and greater as a wage. And ask Allah for forgiveness. Allah is a forgiver, merciful.
Verb
[edit]
to strike, to beat, to hit [with accusative ‘someone/something’ and بِ (bi) ‘with something’; or with بِ (bi) ‘with something’ and عَلَى (ʕalā) ‘on someone/something’; or with accusative ‘someone’ and عَلَى (ʕalā) ‘on something, e.g. a body part’]
ضَرَبَ رَأْسَهُ بِٱلْجِدَارِ
ḍaraba raʔsahu bi-l-jidāri
He hit his head against the wall.
(transitive) to shoot at, to fire at, to bombard
to play [with accusative or عَلَى (ʕalā) ‘an instrument’]
to type (on a keyboard or typewriter)
to impose, to inflict [with accusative ‘a tax, a tribute, etc.’ and عَلَى (ʕalā) ‘on someone/something’] quotations ▲
ضُرِبَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ الذِّلَّةُ أَيْنَ مَا ثُقِفُوا إِلَّا بِحَبْلٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَحَبْلٍ مِنَ النَّاسِ
ḍuribat ʕalayhimu ḏ-ḏillatu ʔayna mā ṯuqifū ʔillā biḥablin mina l-lahi waḥablin mina n-nāsi
Ignominy shall be their portion wheresoever they are found save (where they grasp) a rope from Allah and a rope from men.
Translation by Marmaduke Pickthall
to leave, to abandon, to turn away from, to forsake [with عَن (ʕan) ‘someone/something’]
to sting (of a scorpion)
ضَرَبَ خَيْمَةً ― ḍaraba ḵaymatan ― to pitch a tent
to coin, to mint, to strike [with عَلَى (ʕalā) ‘a coin, money’]
to cast, to throw, to set, to put [with accusative ‘something’, along with عَلَى (ʕalā) ‘over something else’ or بَيْنَ (bayna) ‘between two people/things’]
ضَرَبَ الفَخًّا عَلَى الطَائِرِ ― ḍaraba l-faḵḵan ʕalā ṭ-ṭāʔiri ― he threw the snare over the bird
ضَرَبَ بَيْنَهُمَا سَدًْا ― he set a barrier between (the two of) them
to set or posit as an example or make a simile of, to be proverbial with quotations ▲
a. 1338, ابن عبد الحق [ʿabd al-muʾmīn ibn ʿabd al-ḥaqq ṣafīy ad-dīn al-baḡdādīy], مراصد الاطلاع على الأمكنة والبقاع[1]:
بكَسر أوله، وآخره طاء مهملة: بلدة عامرة مشهورة كثيرة الخيرات، وهى قصبة أرمينية الوسطى، يضرب ببردها فى الشتاء المثل، وبُحَيْرَتُها يُجلَبُ منها السمك الطّرّيخ، [على وزن سكّين] «٣» ، ليس فى غيرها، يُحمَلُ إلى سائرِ البلاد البعيدة، وهى من العجب، فإنها عشرة أشهر لا يوجد فيها حيوان، لا سمك ولا غيره، ثم يَظهر بها السمك مدة شهرين، فيُصاد ويكبس.
Xlat: A flourishing, famous town, full of amenities, it is a fortress of Central Armenia, and its burd clothing sets an example in winter, and there is Lake Van whence one imports the pearl mullet, to which there is no equal, which is carried to the rest of the towns far away, it’s wonderful, ten months the animal is not found therein, no fish nor anything, then there appears fish for two months, and is caught and pickled.
Turkish translation in Gök, H. İbrahim (2014) XIII ve XIV. Yüzyıla ait bir coğrafya sözlüğü: Merâsidü’l-ittılâʾ ve Anadolu’ya dair kayıtları[2], Kırıkkale, page 147 ضرب - Wiktionary, the free dictionary
الضّرب
- Abrading; Bashing; Batting; Beatings; Bludgeoning; Clobbering; Drubbing; Fibbing; Flailing; Fustigation; Hitting; Knocking; Larruping; Mauling; mood; Multiplications; Pestling; Plinking; Punching; Slatting; Slogging; Slugging; Smiting; Socking; Swinging; swip; Swiping; times; Trouncing; Vapulation; Volleying; Whacking; Whamming; Whopping
المختصر
ضَرَب ( فعل ) :- تَحَرّكَ
- take an action and move forward- move
ضَرَب ( فعل ) :- خَبَطَ
- flap; knock; punch; slap; strike; tap; bash; beat; befall; collide; conclude; hit; throw; strike hard; beat; beat; strike on something
- beat or strike heavily
المختصر
ضَرَب ( فعل ) :- ضَرَبَ (اللّونُ) إلى: مالَ إلى
- incline to (a color); shade into (a color)
ضَرَب ( فعل ) :- ضَرَبَ (في الأَرض): تَنَقّلَ، سافَرَ
- go from one place to another; journey; migrate; range; roam; rove; travel; trip; voyage; wander
ضَرَب ( فعل ) :- ضَرَبَ البَيضَ: خَفَقَهُ
- beat; whip; whisk
ضَرَب ( فعل ) :- ضَرَبَ البابَ: قَرَعَهُ
- bang; bang on a door; beat at a door; beat on a door; knock; knock on a door; rap; rap on a door
ضَرَب ( فعل ) :- ضَرَبَ الجَرَسَ: قَرَعَهُ
- ring; sound; toll (a bell)
ضَرَب ( فعل ) :- ضَرَبَ الجُرحُ أو الضّرسُ: اِشتَدّ وَجَعُهُ
- ache; hurt
ضَرَب ( فعل ) :- ضَرَبَ الحِصارَ (على أو حَولَ): منع من الدخول والخروج
- beleaguer; besiege; blockade; lay siege to; siege ضرب In English - Translation and Meaning in English Arabic Dictionary of All terms Page 1
If quran is eternal and without beginning, how might Allah have coined a similitude?
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