The visual miracle of the Quran

“The Pictorial Miraculousness of the Quran” means that the Quran has depicted the most profound spiritual concepts, the most complex and unknown meanings, as well as psychological states, events, and various scenes using words, bringing them to life in the human mind and imagination. Such a feat is beyond the capability of ordinary human thought. Some of the tools used by the Quran in this style include:

1. Generalization of Address: The Quran does not direct its address to a specific individual because it aims to paint a picture of an event or situation in the listener’s mind so that anyone experiencing such a state would feel addressed. For example: “Have you not considered the assembly of the Children of Israel after [the time of] Moses…” (Quran 2:246). This verse begins with a rhetorical question to vividly portray the event in the listener’s mind, allowing them to judge its truth or falsehood, or to praise or criticize it.
2. Use of Temporal Adverbs (إذ) in Narrating Past and Future Events: “And [recall] when Moses prayed for water for his people…” (Quran 2:60). Here, “إذ” (when) is a tool of imagery, used to recall an event that occurred during the time of Moses (peace be upon him).

[1] Al-Taswir al-Fanni fi al-Quran, vol. 1, p. 60; Al-Mu’jizah al-Khalidah, vol. 1, p. 242; Honar-e Ta’bir dar Quran, vol. 1, p. 6.