Rhetoric, Metaphorical Expression, and the Theme of Impossibility in the Quran

Rhetoric, Metaphorical Expression, and the Theme of Impossibility in the Quran

From Linguistic Aesthetics to Theological Depth

Introduction

The Holy Quran addresses humanity with an exceptionally high level of rhetoric, tailored to the mental, cultural, and social structure of those it addresses. While conveying universal theological, ethical, and legal messages, Divine Speech does not employ a dry or mechanical language of command; rather, it constructs language as an aesthetic, vivid, and impactful tool.

Containing all the expressive possibilities of the Arabic language, the Quran frequently employs metaphors, similes, allegories, and symbols to concretize abstract truths, create agitation in hearts, and break down mental resistance. Therefore, the language of the Quran is not merely a language that provides information, but also one that transforms.

In this study, the literary devices within the Quranic rhetorical world will be examined, and the theme of metaphorical impossibility will be addressed, particularly through the example of "the camel passing through the eye of a needle" found in Surah Al-A'raf, verse 40.

The Balance Between Metaphor and Reality

In the Arabic language, haqiqah (literal truth) is the use of a word in its primary and fundamental sense. Majaz (metaphor), however, is the use of a word in a sense other than its original meaning due to a relationship between them.

Metaphor rescues language from rigid molds and expands its realm of meaning. Just as we do not understand daily expressions like "the fight for the seat" (political power struggle) or "having a long hand" (thievery) in their literal senses, it is not correct to reduce many expressions in the Quran to the superficial meanings of the words.

Reading all Quranic expressions with strict literalism is contrary to the nature of language. On the other hand, turning every expression into boundless symbolism can cause the text to lose its firm foundation. Therefore, a healthy approach is a balanced reading that takes into account the natural functioning of language and the context.

The Camel Passing Through the Eye of a Needle and the Theme of Impossibility

In some cases, the Quran uses descriptions that appear physically impossible to convey certainty and irreversibility. One of the most striking examples of this is the 40th verse of Surah Al-A'raf:

"Indeed, those who deny Our verses and are arrogant toward them—the gates of Heaven will not be opened for them, nor will they enter Paradise until a camel enters into the eye of a needle."

The conceptual framework established in the verse is as follows: Denial → Arrogance → Closing of Divine Mercy → Absolute Impossibility

The purpose here is not to speak of a biological or physical event, but to strikingly implant in the mind a situation that will never occur.

Linguistic Analysis

The expression in the verse is: “Yelice’l-cemelu fî semmi’l-hıyât.”

The word “cemel” is understood as "camel" according to the most common reading. In Arab culture, the camel is a symbol of size, weight, and majesty. In some readings, the word is read as “cumal,” which is given the meaning of "thick ship rope."

Both meanings lead to the same result: neither a camel nor a thick rope can pass through the eye of a needle. However, the image created by the word "camel" is much more powerful. On one side, we have one of the largest animals of the desert, and on the other, one of the smallest openings the human eye can discern. This extraordinary contrast enhances the impact of the verse.

Spiritual and Moral Dimension

It is noteworthy that the verse mentions arrogance alongside denial. Arrogance is the act of an individual inflating their own ego and placing themselves at the center in the face of truth.

Viewed from this perspective, the symbol of the camel represents not just physical size, but also the inflated ego. The eye of a needle can be thought of as a symbol of humility, submission, and purification. An ego that inflates itself cannot pass through the narrow gate of truth. Therefore, the impossibility in the verse is not only physical but also moral and spiritual.

Other Depictions of Impossibility and Resistance in the Quran

The Quran uses similar expressive patterns when describing human resistance to truth:

• The Non-Opening of the Gates of Heaven: The phrase "gates of heaven will not be opened" in the same verse describes the closing of paths to spiritual acceptance. Heaven is a symbol of sublimity and divine acceptance. The closing of the doors expresses the human being distancing themselves from mercy by their own choice.

• Hearts Harder Than Stone: Surah Al-Baqarah states: "Then your hearts became hardened—like stones or even harder." Here, a comparison is made between the heart and a stone. The striking point is that the verse notes that even stones sometimes split, and water flows from them. Thus, it is explained that a desensitized human can become even more resistant than stones.

• Not Believing Even if Miracles Were Seen: Surah Al-An'am states: "Even if We had sent down to them the angels [with the message] and the dead had spoken to them and We had gathered together every thing in front of them, they would not believe..." Here, extraordinary scenarios are listed. The message is clear: The problem is not a lack of evidence; the problem is the intention that does not want to accept the truth.

• Stairway to the Sky: The expression in Al-An'am 35 carries a similar style: "If you are able to seek a tunnel into the earth or a ladder into the sky to bring them a sign, [then do so]." By referring to limits beyond human capacity, the stubbornness of the disbelievers is laid bare.

• Immutability of Divine Laws: Surah Fatir states: "You will never find any change in the law of Allah." What is emphasized here is that moral and social laws in the universe do not change arbitrarily. This is another type of expression of impossibility.

Rhetorical Devices of the Quran

The influential power of the Quran stems not only from the messages it provides but also from the way these messages are presented.

• Representing the Whole Through the Part: Sometimes the Quran mentions the part instead of the whole. In the verse "Turn your face toward the Sacred Mosque," only the face is mentioned; however, what is meant is the human's entire orientation.

• Perspective-Based Narrative: The expression in the story of Dhu al-Qarnayn, "He found [the sun] setting in a spring of murky water," is not an astronomical explanation. This is a descriptive narrative explaining the observer's perception on the horizon.

• The Art of Simile: The Quran makes abstract truths visible with concrete examples. In the verse "Your wives are a place of cultivation for you," the purpose is not to objectify the human being; but to describe productivity, abundance, continuity, and the continuation of lineage.

• Hyperbolic Expression: The expression in Surah An-Nur, "It would almost glow, even if touched by no fire," is a powerful expression used to show the peak of purity and brightness.

• Irony: In Surah Ad-Dukhan, the people of Hell are addressed: "Taste! Indeed, you are the honorable, the noble!" Here, the person's arrogance in the world is thrown back in their face with words carrying the exact opposite meaning.

• Sound Harmonies: The Quran influences not only through meaning but also through sound. The "s" sounds repeated in Surah An-Nas evoke secrecy and whispering. In Surah Al-Adiyat, the rhythm of the letters creates a harmony reminiscent of the sound of horses' hooves.

• The Art of Contrast: The expression "You make the night enter the day, and You make the day enter the night" uses contrast to emphasize the transformation in the universe and divine power.

• The Art of Repetition: The repetition in Surah Ash-Sharh, "For indeed, with hardship [will be] ease. Indeed, with hardship [will be] ease," creates a powerful emphasis that embeds hope into the mind and heart.

• Parenthetical Statements: The Quran sometimes places explanatory sentences within the main narrative. The expression "We charge no soul except with that within its capacity" is an example of this.

• Depicting Nature as Living: In the expression "And [by] the morning when it breathes," the morning is described as a living entity. This method makes the vitality and movement of the universe felt.

The Camel and the Eye of the Needle

The verse containing the phrase "camel and the eye of a needle" has also been evaluated with a symbolic reading regarding the human inner world. In this interpretation, the camel is evaluated as:

• Arrogance,

• The Ego,

• The self's claim of greatness,

• Worldly burdens.

The eye of the needle points to meanings of:

• Purification of the heart,

• Humility,

• Openness to truth,

• Shedding the self.

According to this perspective, the more a human inflates their ego, the less they can pass through the narrow gates of truth. To pass through, one must shed their burdens, shrink, and show humility. Of course, this interpretation does not replace the primary meaning of the verse; however, it offers a horizon of thought that deepens the moral dimension of the verse.

Conclusion

The language of the Holy Quran is a living structure in which wording, meaning, aesthetics, and psychology are intertwined. As seen in the example of "the camel passing through the eye of a needle," the depictions of impossibility in the Quran are not merely literary decorations. They are educational tools that shake, make one think, and create moral consciousness.

The rhetoric of the Quran is not just literary superiority, but also a method of thinking. Since the human mind struggles to grasp abstract truths directly, Revelation makes the truth visible through similes, allegories, symbols, and descriptions of impossibility.

For this reason, the metaphors of the Quran are not alternatives to the truth, but linguistic bridges that open to the truth. In the example of the camel and the needle's eye in Surah Al-A'raf, what is described is not only a physical impossibility. The true emphasis is that an ego that grows through arrogance cannot pass through the gate of humility.

The aesthetic language of the Quran comes into play precisely here: It makes the intellect think, shakes the conscience, and confronts the human being with their own inner world. Because the obstacle in front of the truth is often not a lack of information, but the arrogance the human grows within themselves. As arrogance grows, the truth narrows; as humility increases, even the narrowest-looking gates open to the human.