Overview

Identifying parallel structures within the Qur'an helps to unfold the thematic lines of a sura and provides a deeper understanding by identifying new perspectives, coherence (nazm) and a heightened awareness of the emphasis applied to various topics. Parallel portrayal of events may cross historical eras and deliver valuable insights towards common and differentiated messages. Narratives often convey parallel stories simultaneously so that the viewer may draw comparisons and anticipate culmination of the plots. In this book, we will observe parallelism and connections within the Qur'anic verses in a detailed study of Sura Al-Baqara and Sura Al-'Imran. An enveloping structure is commonly found in the Qur'an around a cluster of verses. An entire sura may also be enveloped such as Sura Al-Baqara or Sura Al-'Imran which we will observe as ending the same way as it began. In an envelope structure, the idea or theme articulated at the beginning of a discourse is restated at the end. The following is an illustration of an envelope pattern from Q Sura al-Rum (30:20, 25): v20: And of His signs is that He created you from dust; then, suddenly you were human beings dispersing [throughout the earth]. v25: And of His signs is that the heaven and earth remain by His command. Then when He calls you with a [single] call from the earth, immediately you will come forth. The verse cluster v20-25 begins with creation of the human being as a sign (v20) and ends with the creation of the universe as a sign (v25). We also observe that v20 begins with the proclamation of Allah's creation of human beings and their subsequent dispersal throughout the earth. In v25, the same theme is repeated with a corresponding context. Allah is now recreating human beings through resurrection and they gush out of the belly of the earth-enveloping the idea of initial dispersion and final return. We will review an illustration of a parallel structure in the Throne verse in the form ABCD/E/D'C'B'A' which pivots around the central element E (Q 2:255). The numbers noted within the single verse represent sentences. A (v255-1): Allah-there is none worthy of worship except He; the Ever-Living, The Ever-Watchful. B (v255-2): Neither drowsiness nor sleep overtakes Him. C (v255-3): To Him belongs whatever is in the Heavens and the Earth. D (v255-4): Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission? E (v255-5): He knows what is before them and what will be after them. D' (v255-6): And they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills. C' (v255-7): His Throne extends over the Heavens and the Earth. B' (v255-8): And their preservation tires Him not. A' (v255-9): And He is the Most-High, the Most-Supreme. We can observe the following parallel structure of this verse: A (v255-1) and A'(v255-9) are synonymous as each verse mentions the two names of Allah and these specific attributes correlate and envelop the verses in between. B (v255-2) and B'(v255-8) are parallel as they complement and complete the declaration that that no form of weariness overtakes Allah. C (v255-3) and C'(v255-7) are two complementary aspects of Allah with regards to His ownership (Malik) and kingship (Malik) respectively of the Heavens and the Earth. D(v255-4) and D'(v255-6) are parallel as these sentences proclaim together that human authority and knowledge can only be acquired by His permission. E (v255-5) is the center verse of this parallel structure that lays down the main idea that Allah is Omniscient-All-Knowing and All-Seeing. Allah has complete knowledge of what took place going back to the beginning

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