ulum-al-quran

Rusulan mubashshirina wa Apostles who gave good news as well as
mundhirina li'alla yakuna warning that mankind after
li-nnasi 'ala llahi hujjatun (the coming) of the apostles should have
ba'dar rusuli wa kana llahu no plea against God;
'azizan hakima (Al-Qur'an 4: 163-165) for God is exalted in power, wise.
Narrative in the Qur'an
The Qur'an contains many narratives (qisas, sg. qissa), referred to in the Qur'an itself:
'We do relate unto thee the most beautiful of stories, in that We reveal to thee this (portion
of the) Qur'an ...'(Al-Qur'an 12: 3).
These narratives, which illustrate and underline important aspects of the Qur'anic message, fulfil their functions in a
variety of ways. The following are some of the more common patterns:
Explanation of the general message of Islam.
General guidance and reminder.
Strengthening the conviction of the Prophet and the believers.
Reminder of the earlier prophets and their struggle.
Indication for the continuity and truth of Muh. ammad's message.
Providing arguments against some opponents of Islam, such as e.g. Jews and Christians.
As far as the contents of these narratives are concerned, one may, broadly speaking, distinguish between
the following three kinds:
Stories of the Prophets of Allah, their peoples, their message, their call, their persecution, etc.; such as e
g. the narratives about Nuh (Sura 26), Musa (Sura 28), 'Isa (Sura 19) and many others.
Other Qur'anic narratives about past people or events, such as the narratives about the Companions of
the cave, or about Dhu-l-qarnain (Sura 18).
References to events that took place during the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad, such as the battle of
Badr (3: 13), the battle of Uhud (3: 121-8), the battle of Ah. Zab (33: 9-27), the israJ(17: 1), etc.
Similes in the Qur'an
The Qur'an also employs similes (amthal, sg. mathal) in many places to explain certain truths or to drive home important
points of the message, by likening it to something well known or describing it in a pictorial manner. [See, e.g. 16: 75-6.]
'He sends down water from the skies and the channels flow, each according to its measure;
but the torrents bear away the foam that mounts up to the surface. Even so, from that (ore)
which they heat in the fire to make ornaments or utensils therewith there is scum likewise,
thus doth God (by parable) show forth the truth and vanity, for thc scum disappears like
froth cast out; while that which is for the good of mankind remains on the earth. Thus doth
God set forth parables' (Al-Qur'an 13: 17).
Passages with Qul
More than 200 passages in the Qur'an open with the word 'Qul' (say:), which is an instruction to the Prophet Muhammad
to address the words following this introduction to his audience in a particular situation, such as e.g. in reply to a
question that has been raised, or as an assertion of a matter of belief, or announcement of a legal ruling, etc.